Michigan
9-2
Oakland
6-6
Novak's Double-Double Helps U-M Thump Oakland
12/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 18, 2010
• Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
• John Beilein Postgame Audio: Press Conference 
| Radio Show
• Postgame Video: Guard Zack Novak 
| Guard Darius Morris | Highlights | Video Report
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena)
Score: Michigan 69, Oakland 51
Records: U-M (9-2), Oakland (6-6)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, Dec. 23 -- vs. Bryant University (Crisler Arena), 6 p.m. (TV: Big Ten Network)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore point guard Darius Morris (Los Angeles, Calif./Windward) scored a team-high 18 points and junior guard Zack Novak (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) recorded his third double-double of the season (13 points, 12 rebounds), as the University of Michigan men's basketball team defeated Oakland, 69-51, for its sixth straight win on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 18) inside Crisler Arena. Freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (Miami, Fla./Palmetto Senior) added 10 points -- all in the second half -- in the victory to help the Wolverines improve to 8-0 at home this season.
Michigan shot 45 percent (25-of-56) from the field and held the Golden Grizzlies, who were coming off a road win earlier this week at No. 7 Tennessee, to just 51 points in the contest, 29 below their season average (80.5), and just 30 percent (18-of-60) from the field. Oakland center Keith Benson had eight double-doubles coming into today's game, but Michigan's defense held the seven-footer to just 11 points and seven rebounds, both below his season averages.
The Wolverines got off to a rolling start with a three-pointer from Novak and a backdoor layup from freshman forward Evan Smotrycz (Reading, Mass./New Hampton Prep [N.H.]) on the first two possessions of the game. The teams traded baskets for the majority of the half, but Michigan regained its lead on a layup by redshirt freshman forward Jordan Morgan (Detroit, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit) at the 12:17 mark, putting the Wolverines ahead, 11-9, a lead that swelled to eight entering the half (29-21).
U-M scored the first seven points of the second frame, on a jump shot from Morgan, three-point field goal from Smotrycz and another basket by Morris, forcing Oakland into taking an early timeout less than two minutes into the stanza. Out of the timeout, Oakland knocked down a three-pointer, but Michigan answered with another 8-0 run to extend the lead to 20 (44-24).
Oakland went to a full-court trap with less than 10 minutes to play, going on a 16-6 run to cut Michigan's lead to 10 points; but Michigan closed the game on a 12-4 run.
In the contest, Michigan out-rebounded Oakland, 40-39, and scored 28 points in the paint. U-M had 17 assists on 25 made field goals, only turning the ball over 12 times. The bench contributed 16 points -- seven from junior guard Stu Douglass (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), five from sophomore guard Matt Vogrich (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), and four points, six rebounds and three blocks from freshman forward Jon Horford (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge).
Michigan returns to action this Thursday (Dec. 23) when it hosts Bryant University at Crisler Arena. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-442
