Michigan
Iowa
Asselin Continues Success Against Iowa in U-M Win
3/1/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Junior Josh Asselin (Caro, Mich./Caro HS) had another dominating performance against Iowa as he tied his career high with 22 points, matching his 22-point effort at Iowa earlier this season (Jan. 22). He also finished the game with eight rebounds, five blocks and three assists.
The other big story was fouls and the resulting trips to the free throw line. The teams combined for 66 fouls (U-M 29, Iowa 37), 66 free throws made (U-M 38, Iowa 28) and 91 attempts (U-M 52, Iowa 39). Michigan did not make a field goal in the final 11 minutes of the game as the Wolverines scored their final 29 points from the foul stripe and finished with school records for free throws made (38) and attempted (52).
In a game that was a tale of two halves, the first period was dominated by Michigan's shooting, while free throws dominated the second. The first half was the textbook game for Michigan as the Wolverines finished shooting 53 percent (14 of 26) while holding Iowa to just 28 percent (9 of 32).
The Wolverines led by as many as 16 points in the first half before taking a 42-28 halftime lead, thanks to freshman Gavin Groninger (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield HS) Groninger and Asselin utilizing the inside-outside game to perfection. They collected 11 points apiece in the first half as Groninger was 3-for-4 from long range and Asselin was 5-for-5 inside the post. Asselin also provided the defensive edge for the Wolverines, collecting four blocks in the first half. Leon Jones (Battle Creek, Mich./Winchendon Prep), who was 2-for-3 from long range, collected eight first-half points.
A total of 47 fouls were called in the second half as the free throw line dominated the second stanza. The Wolverines seemed to have the game well in hand, maintaining a double-digit advantage for most of the second half and leading by 16 points (74-58) after two charities by freshman Kevin Gaines (Las Vegas, Nev./Clark HS) with 2:45 to play. However, Iowa continued to foul and used a 14-4 run to cut the deficit to six twice, the last at 0:59. But the Wolverines held off the Hawkeyes by making 7 of 10 from the foul line in the game's final minute.
Freshman LaVell Blanchard (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) returned to the Michigan lineup after missing two games with a sprained knee. He showed no signs of the effects of the injury as he finished with his ninth double-double of the season, with 15 points and 11 rebounds. He also had two assists and two blocks in 32 minutes of action.
Groninger also paced the way with his outside scoring as he finished the game with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the beyond arc before fouling out with 2:50 to go. It marked his third straight game in double figures. Gaines' 16 points -- 14 of which came from the charity stripe -- and Jones' 10 gave Michigan five players in double figures.
Michigan travels to Michigan State on Saturday (March 4) to wrap up the Big Ten regular season. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:22 p.m. at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
N O T E S
-- The game marked the final regular-season home games for seniors Peter Vignier (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck HS) and Darius Taylor (Chicago, Ill./Lake View HS). Taylor, who has played in 34 career games for the Wolverines, made his first career start.
-- Michigan's 38 free throws made set a school record, breaking the mark of 37 set earlier this season (Jan. 16) against Illinois. The 52 attempts from the foul line is also a school record, bettering the old mark of 50 which was accomplished twice in the early '70s.
-- In addition to setting two Michigan team records, the trips to the free throw for U-M and Iowa also erased several Crisler Arena records. Michigan's 38 made free throws bettered the 37 the Wolverines had against Illinois earlier this season (Jan. 16). The 52 attempts by the Wolverines bested the 50 set against Ohio State on Jan. 29, 1972. The 66 combined free throws made shattered the record of 54 set by Michigan and Ohio State Jan. 18, 1990. The 91 total trips to the line for both teams eclipsed the 86 set by Michigan and Ohio State Jan. 27, 1968.
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
