Minneapolis – Michigan’s defense was the equivalent of a punching bag at the beginning of Big Ten play.
Through the first five games, Iowa, Penn State, Maryland, Illinois and Nebraska seemingly scored at will and did whatever they wanted on the offensive end with little resistance. They averaged 80.4 points and shot 53.4 percent from the field, including 55.3 percent from 3-point range.
After making subtle strides, Michigan has picked it up in the interior and on the perimeter over its three-game win streak heading into Sunday night’s game at Minnesota. But you wouldn’t know it based on what opposing coaches have said.