Its really quite amazing how deafening silence can be. Beating a team whose fans are still hoping for a shot at the Big Dance could do that. Doing it with just one prior conference win most certainly will.

With Zombie Nation blaring through the PA, the Maize Rage tried their own rendition of the much popularized tune replacing “We Are Penn State” with “We own Penn State”. Cute. But seeing as how we have not won in Crisler since 1999, quite appropriate. Battle put an end to it quickly once he drained a three in the shadow of the Maize Rage.

4 Lions finished with at least 9 points in an encore performance by the team following the Northwestern game. It was another double double effort for Battle, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Surprise player of the game was Jeff Brooks who stepped up with 9 points, and looked real good doing it, attacking the basket rather than playing from the perimeter. Add that to the 10 points by Drew Jones and it was little surprise the Lions were able to successfully counter the  20 point effort by Michigan’s Manny Harris.

Despite the win, Penn State tried its hardest to allow the Wolverines back into the game. The Nittany Lions mustered a grand total of 4 points in the final 9 minutes and 57 seconds of the game providing plenty of opportunities for the Wolverines to regain the lead. In another classic Ed DeChellis coaching move, he decided against calling any timeouts until 4:37 left in the game, despite the scoring drought that almost lasted for half of the second half. Does the man not understand the importance of momentum change and set plays out of a timeout? It’s even more frustrating when you consider that he actually did call a timeout in the first half, which spurred an 8-0 Lions run. Learn not only from your mistakes, Ed, but from your successes, too.  But fortunately for DeChellis, the Maize and Blue only managed a total of 7 points in the final 10 minutes themselves. I believe DeChellis owes John Beilein a Valentines Day card.  But you can’t blame coaching for Michigan’s failures either–the Wolverines missed open three after open three to the tune of 6-28 shooting from beyond the arc.  For once, Penn State got lucky, as Michigan failed to capitalize on a number of great opportunities to take control of the game late.

Penn State won the rebounding battle 33-20, but when your team is converting 49% of its shots, it doesn’t offer too many opportunities for your opponent to grab rebounds. Comparatively, when Michigan only converts 36% of its shots, including a dismal 21% from the 3 point line, it allows the Lions that many more opportunities to collect rebounds.  In fact, each team finished with the same 6 offensive rebounds.  But when it comes to offensive efficiency, the 13 rebound difference says it all.

The Lions really have to be concerned with the staggering number of turnovers given up in this game, 13 to be exact. That would mean Penn State gave up the ball on 23.6% of their offensive possessions, and that clearly has to be corrected. Most of the turnovers (several by Battle) were just flat out ugly. It’s what killed them last time against Michigan, early in the year, and it nearly did them in again.

This win brings our record to 10-16 (2-12) and drops the Wolverines to 13-13 (6-8) on the season. But any hope for Penn State to keep the streak going might have to be tabled.  With Ohio State, Michigan State, Northwestern and Purdue looming, this team has their work cut out for them before the Big Ten tournament.

For further analysis of the game check out this recap @ UMHoops.com

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