ANN ARBOR, Mich. _ One game doesn't change everything, not in this dizzying college basketball season. So while it's dangerous to draw grand conclusions from the latest Michigan-Michigan State clash, we can reassess both teams' directions and say this: Their riddles are easily identified, tough to solve.
All we know for sure about the Wolverines is, they're much better when their best all-around player, Isaiah Livers, is on the court. (Shocker, I know). He brought the energy, swagger and defense upon his return Saturday in Michigan's 77-68 victory over the Spartans. The Wolverines (14-9, 5-7 Big Ten) still have plenty to do, but they look whole again after the biggest victory in Juwan Howard's first season.
All we know for sure about the Spartans is, they're a much lesser team when their best all-around player, Cassius Winston, is hounded into exhaustion and spends the game hunting for help. The Spartans (16-8, 8-5) are still in the Big Ten race but have lost three straight and looked lost in the process.
Michigan's victory was solid and much-needed, ending a four-game losing streak against its rival. The defense was impressive. The hustle and rebounding were outstanding. The truth is, the Wolverines can get on a roll only if they keep cranking up that defense, because outside of Livers' impact, they don't have anything else to lean on every game. Zavier Simpson's floor leadership (second in the nation in assists) has swung between great and erratic, but there's no way they can count on him hitting four of seven 3-pointers. And of course, they do need to count on him staying out of trouble after his one-game suspension.
With a month left in the Big Ten season, the Wolverines may have found something, as long as Livers stays healthy. Their strength of schedule _ top four in the country _ certainly keeps them in the NCAA Tournament picture.
