Much of this season, Michigan had proven that in the first half, they could hang with most

teams in the Big Ten. They could probably beat a decent number of teams in the Big Ten. And in the

second half, it was a far, far different story. In the second half, Michigan looked like a team that

could be at the bottom of most conferences in college basketball, Big Ten, or otherwise. Well,

the script was playing out very similarly on Wednesday

night against a nationally ranked Wisconsin team that was trying to get a bad taste out of its mouth

after a couple of close losses to fellow NCAA tournament contenders and likely participants come

March. Michigan led by four at the half. Early on in the second half, Wisconsin came out with an

offensive barrage. Badger started five of five. Michigan was one of its first six. But this was not

the same story that we've seen so many times over the course of the season. Michigan did not get

outscored in the second half. They played the badgers even in the second half,

despite some roller coasters of emotion,

despite some rough patches.

Michigan went through the turbulence,

got the job done, and earned a hard-fought victory.

It felt like a weight off this team's shoulder

in the final moments of that game.

It certainly sounded like it from the men we'll talk to a little bit later on.

Juan Howard, Will Cheddar, even my partner, Terry Mills.

This does not cure the ills of what is still an 8 and 15 start for Michigan men's basketball.

There is still a ton of work to be done,

and it will require a heck of a turnaround for this to turn into much more than just winning for

...