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Posted on Sat, Mar 10, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.

Michigan's Trey Burke brought back to Earth in his worst outing of the season

By Nick Baumgardner

INDIANAPOLIS -- Less than 24 hours earlier, Trey Burke was the talk of the Big Ten Tournament.

The Michigan basketball team's point guard set a school and Big Ten Tournament freshman record with a 30-point showing in a quarterfinal win against Minnesota, willing the Wolverines into the semifinals.

Saturday, though, was a different story.

"It was definitely frustrating," Burke said after the poorest performance of his freshman season. "I just told myself not to show any type of emotion.

"At the end of the day, we're still playing."

What a difference a day makes.

In one short time period, Burke went from a career highlight to a season-worst.

He went 1-for-11 from the floor, 0-for-7 from 3-point range and committed a career-high eight turnovers as the Wolverines were shellacked by Ohio State in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.

UMBB_OhioState_Craft.jpg

Smothering defense by Ohio State's Aaron Craft, left, helped Michigan point guard Trey Burke turn in one of the poorest performances of his standout freshman season.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Less than a day after playing the full 45 minutes in an overtime win against Minnesota, Burke never found any type of groove against the Buckeyes.

Dogged by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Craft for most of the night, the freshman floor leader didn't record a field goal until the 6:55 mark of the second half -- when his team was down 20 points.

"Craft's a great defender, I'm not going to say it wasn't him, because he was definitely a reason why we were a little flustered out there," the Columbus, Ohio native said. "They tend to corner me on the ball-screens. Craft makes sure I can't use it and Jared (Sullinger) is right there, so it's kind of like a mini-trap.

"It's a look we really don't see a lot, and it kind of throws our offense off."

Craft tried to shake off most of the attention afterward, saying it was more of a team effort in limiting Burke's game.

But anyone who tuned in Saturday knew those comments were more for show than anything. Craft erased a rough performance against Burke in Ann Arbor earlier this season with a masterful defensive effort in Indianapolis.

"(I was) just trying to not make it about me against him because that's not what it's about," Craft said. "And our bigs did a great job hedging ball screens today and everyone else did a good job of zoning up and not giving easy baskets for the most part."

OHIO STATE 77, MICHIGAN 55

Notebook: Jared Sullinger out-powers Michigan interior and more notes

Photo gallery

Video: Post-game press conferences

Playing against a Buckeye team with extreme length and girth at just about every position, Burke was rendered completely ineffective throughout.

He picked up two fouls midway through the first half, only the second time he's done that all season. But unlike the previous instance at Iowa, Michigan coach John Beilein re-entered Burke later in the half with the two fouls, hoping to provide a spark to his otherwise lifeless team.

But it didn't work. Craft and Sullinger continued to turn Michigan's ball-screen into a nightmarish trap, and the Wolverines remained stagnant.

"I don't know if humbling is the right word, but it is a learning experience for him," Beilein said. "(Despite) his performance today, his attitude was outstanding the entire time.

"There's a lot involved when he's playing against his hometown team and the defensive player of the year, but I never saw him get shook. That shows a lot about who he is."

Burke's best Michigan moment to date on Friday quickly turned into his worst a day later.

The Wolverines have yet to lose two straight games as a team this season, and Burke rarely puts in back-to-back duds.

He took full responsibility for his performance afterward, refusing to make excuses and simply explaining how his Ohio State nightmare won't happen again.

"It's just one game," Burke said. "One of my worst games. But I wasn't going to show any type of emotion.

"I know my team has my back."

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.

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Comments

cutty240

Mon, Mar 12, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.

Give your Team a Break.There not going to win every game.This is a new Season,when The NCAA'S starts.Now see what happens.Lets be honest,there is to many Games anyway.Your alot better in Basketball than your were years ago.Just enjoy it.

Albee Macaw

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.

THIRD straight year TOSU has knocked the weasels out of the Big10 tournament. Getting like when the Vest went year in and year out winning. Once our red headed step child always our red headed step child. More like a female dog ( bit$8) but they would flag it. . The difference in talent is off the charts. This is just a preview to how things will look once Urb gets things in high gear. If weasel fan is not concerned they are ignorant regarding sports or in denial. This was like a high school team against a college team. I missed on my prediction that they would take them by only 15. Nice to win but even nicer to give the wood to the weasels. This kid should have stayed in Ohio and he would be playing in Championship games like today instead of watching them in his dorm room.

umgoblue47

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 10:06 p.m.

i can think of a half dozen things in your post that sparty proved moot! pride and smack talk always comes before the fall!! as ralph kramden you to say on the honeymooners hardee har har har and my favorite how sweet it is. DEAL WITH IT!! GO BLUE!!!!!!

Bleedingreen78

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.

Wolverines basketball; over-rated!!! Take away Burky's forearm push offs and you see what happens!!!! One man teams rarely if ever make it in the BIG TEN arena!!! B-line has to develop a team that plays ball with a "team" mentality; to many, way to many personal agendas on the team currently!!! 4th seed, maybe a 5th . . . s/b in the NIT ! ! !

wi wolverine fan

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 8:20 a.m.

Can anyone out there tell me how good this mitch mcgary is? I mean I knw that he is rated highly, but is this gonna b a situation where he COULD come in his rookie yr and just dominate and be a huge difference maker? Is he THAT good?

keepyourenemiescloser

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 3:13 a.m.

It remind's me of Rich Rod football, as hard as our boy's played you have to have BIG BOY'S to consistently compete in the Big Ten, that time is coming for U of M. All Michigan fan's should be proud of our team and what has, and will be accomplished this season. Trey Burke with a Green/Sullinger type player, the future for Michigan Basketball is very bright.

ted

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 3:17 a.m.

We are talking about my evaluation of our latest football recruit KEEPYOURENEMIESCLOSER !

ted

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 2:01 a.m.

Here is my prediction...Ty Isaac will decide to commit to Michigan tomorrow because he feels sorry for Tre. they will become great friends. Because of this friendship Tre will decide to try out for the football team and quit BB. I know it sounds strange, but it is a vision I had when I took a short nap after the BB game. This prophecy will come true. I am usually right about everything.

umgoblue47

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.

hey albee tuff break. . . i'am sure ted will loan you his crying towel!! pride and smack talk always come's before the fall!! there is an opening in the class for bb-101!! SMACK SMACK!!! GO BLUE!!!!!!

Albee Macaw

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.

After reading this is there any wonder that weasels sports fans are known as some of the most ignorant and out of touch in all of sports?

ted

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.

That's totally untrue. This is my scouting report. It happens to be what I think. If someone else came up with a similar analysis, it just means they have validated my belief. I can't help that.

Andrew

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 7:54 a.m.

Wow, Ted. You really are quite the "authority" considering you flat out plagiarized your so called analysis of Ty Isaac from Scout's Mark Porter (which also happens to be quoted on the front page of MGoBlog.com).

umgoblue47

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 4:37 a.m.

sorry i took a nap and had a vision. . . what i see in gareon conley is a 4* (by scout) 5* by the time he graduates from h.s. he will be a very physical football player at the next level! he is already rated as the 20th best cornerback in the nation and the 16th in ohio!! my vision also shows me that meyer will try to bait and switch conley over to ohio but FAILS!!! GO BLUE!!!!!!

rightmind250

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 3:10 a.m.

umgoblue, Ty is a B list guy for Urban. Urban wants Derrick Green from , VA. He runs a 4.37 , 40. Ty runs a 4.65 and they are about the same size.

ted

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 3:01 a.m.

This analysis is regarding Michigan's latest commit Gareon

ted

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 3 a.m.

Hey UMGOBLUE this is for you, Mick and Jim , I have a great understanding of the game of football and have excellent insight into a recruits ability. Things you two just don't understand. This is what I see in this kid...... I think he may be the best pure corner in Ohio. His ball skills are second to none. His range and athletic ability are second to none. He can match up with the number one receiver. The trait that Cam (Burrows) has over him is he may be more physical. But Gareon is 'twitchier' in the hips. But, all that said, he still does not have any stars next to his name.... Now maybe you two can see why I AM THE AUTHORITY on Michigan football matters.

umgoblue47

Sun, Mar 11, 2012 : 2:40 a.m.

no suprise there. . . everything you post sounds strange! just so you don't get confused when TY ISAAC commits to MICHIGAN he is a 4* soon to be a 5* that your oscar meyer won't get!! GO BLUE!!!!!!