Michigan now shares a place alongside one of college basketball’s most iconic teams originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Michigan added another piece of history to its remarkable season Thursday night, even if the performance itself wasn’t flawless. However, the win was one to take pride in.
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The No. 3 Wolverines held on for a 71-68 win at Iowa, finishing Big Ten road play with a perfect 10-0 record. The victory made Michigan the first Big Ten team in 50 years to complete a conference schedule unbeaten in true road games, joining Indiana’s legendary 1975-76 squad under Bob Knight.
That Hoosiers team went 9-0 in an 18-game conference schedule on its way to an undefeated national championship season. The Wolverines’ run is particularly notable given the difficulty of their road slate.
Michigan went through some of the conference’s toughest environments and defeated several elite opponents away from home. This included teams ranked among the top 10 in KenPom metrics such as Purdue, Michigan State and Illinois.
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Thursday’s win may have been the most difficult of the group. Iowa played with urgency and nearly erased Michigan’s late lead in a game that carried a postseason atmosphere.
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The Wolverines have survived several close calls away from home this season, including tight games at Northwestern and Penn State. But they’ve consistently found ways to win. For Dusty May’s team, that’s what has kept them as an elite all season long.
Michigan’s resilience on the road could prove invaluable as the postseason approaches. This might be one storyline to watch into March Madness.
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