Yet again on Saturday, there was the temptation for fans, prognosticators to look at the

matchup and look at the condition of both rosters and think it was going to be another

Michigan runaway. Oregon, a team that struggled eight and nine coming in without their top

two scorers and best two players, Nate Biddle, a recent injury, Jackson Shelstad missing his fifth

consecutive game.

What followed on Saturday afternoon at Matthew Knight Arena was far from a cruise control

type of a win for Michigan. Wolverines led by 11 early and they would never have a lead greater

than 12 in this ballgame. Oregon ended up being down by 11 midway through the first half and took a lead into

halftime. The key part of this game was what Michigan got from the five who started the second

half. Will Cheddar in for Mores Johnson Jr. who contended with foul trouble in the first half

three fouls and five game minutes. He added a spark along with really all five

of those guys on the floor. Namari Burnett with a veteran-like performance. Elliot Kadoe ended up leading

the team with 17 points and added five assists. But Michigan got the contributions they needed.

And I guess it's fitting that Burnett and Cheddar were two huge performers in this game because they were

here in Eugene two years ago and technically a non-conference game but in a hostile environment

a long road trip and in that spot Michigan was a little bit short-handed at least from a talent

standpoint that ended up being the 8 and 24 season we just didn't know it was going to be that

rough at that point.

Michigan played well. They hung around, but couldn't quite finish it off. When you get in a

conference play, you get these teams that are playing with maybe their season on the line, a chance

to earn the value of two wins if you get a chance to knock off the Michigan Wolverines. Oregon played

like a desperate team.

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