Michigan coach John Beilein hasn't seen improvement from Wolverines throughout season

“We’re making the same mistakes that we’ve made in previous games,” Beilein said Monday after reviewing tape of his team’s latest loss to Wisconsin. “It doesn’t make sense but it’s happening and we just gotta work on it so it doesn’t continue to happen.

“But very similar mistakes that we’ve made continually all year long.”

There have been errors on offense and defense, Beilein said, which have plagued the Wolverines throughout their 11-12 season.

There has been lost focus on defense and quick shots on offense, and a lack of depth. There aren’t consistent replacements ready on the bench.

Against Wisconsin, Michigan received four points and four rebounds from its bench. The game before, the Wolverines got 17 of their 52 points from the bench in a 67-52 loss to Wisconsin, but 11 came from freshman guard Darius Morris, who has since been elevated to the starting lineup.

“Sometimes, having the depth if there’s an injury or just going to that bench that sixth, seventh or eighth man you either have experience or they are gaining it every day as a young player,” Beilein said. “That is a key for having a good season and building your program.

“Teams that do not have that better have five guys that are very veteran in there. I saw it yesterday, maybe Ohio State played six guys total in the whole game. Depth is an issue everywhere. Certainly it is with us.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.