By Ken Cross
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Michigan forward Danny Wolf posted a triple-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds which changed the matchups that Xavier could throw at the Wolverines. With his three-point ability, Michigan’s 7-foot forward made four threes and was 8-of-12 from the field. He found the paint and the offensive glass also in the Wolverines’ 78-53 win over the Musketeers in the Finals of the Fort Myers Tip-Off.
“He’s such a unique talent,” said May. “If you can play all over the court like he can, and we’re still figuring out ways to use him and Vlad (Goldin) together and we’re able to separate and get good guard play as well.”
After guard Ryan Conwell gave Xavier a 12-10 lead with 15:22 remaining before halftime, Michigan went on a 21-6 run where Wolf was the focal point with a pair of threes and scored on his own lay-in as Michigan extended to a 31-18 advantage with 4:22 to play in the first half.
With Wolf and Vladislav Goldin in the middle, it forces a defense to decide how to matchup with the duo as they complement each other in the paint, but each player can challenge a defense with this outside shooting ability as we saw with Wolf.
“The game changes when he’s at the four versus when he’s at the five, offensively and defensively,” explained May of Wolf’s versatility. “I think him being able to guard, and we say fours, he’s guarding points, he’s guarding twos and threes.”
Goldin was 7-of-9 from the field with 19 points and he led the Wolverines on a late 16-0 run after Xavier’s Zach Freemantle hit a jumper with 7:18 remaining to cut the Michigan lead to 59-51. Goldin’s dunk with 1:45 remaining finished the run as Michigan saw it’s lead bourgeon to 75-51 with 1:45 remaining.
Guard Tre Donaldson gave Xavier issues as he took opportunities to challenge Xavier’s defenders with his three-point game as his size and ability on the perimeter. Guard LJ Cason proved the Michigan depth beside of Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle, Jr., in the backcourt when he scored wight points in 15 minutes.
May discussed the weaponry in his rotation which sees nine players average double figures in minutes.
“Our second lineup continues to give us a jolt of energy almost every single game,” May summarized. “I think every game but one this year, our second unit has been extremely productive statistically and intangibly.”
Xavier only shot 34.5 percent as Michigan forced 19 turnovers the Musketeers could not get into any consistent rhythm.
“They just can wear you down physically size-wise,” Xavier head coach Sean Miller commented. “I thought we lost to a better team tonight. Where this all goes eight, 12 weeks from now, I don’t know, but tonight, their depth, their size (were key differences).
Talented guard Ryan Conwell led Xavier with 17 points as the Musketeers suffered their first loss of the season.