While DeShawn Sims always play well against Iowa, it isn’t because he feels the Hawkeyes are a particularly good matchup.

He’s always liked playing against taller players - he can try and maneuver around them for layups or use his speed to get them in foul trouble. Iowa, whose tallest player is 6-foot-9, is not one of those teams.

Michigan's DeShawn Sims scores an easy two points over Iowa's Matt Gatens in the first half at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor on Jan 30, 2010.

Mark Bialek | For AnnArbor.com

Yet Sims has good games against the Hawkeyes anyway.

“It’s kind of an advantage to them,” Sims said. “I kind of play better against big guys.”

Some advantage.

Sims had 20 points and 12 rebounds. He was the main cog in Michigan’s 60-46 win over the Hawkeyes. Entering Saturday, he averaged 14 points a game against Iowa.

At least one person thinks Sims actually likes playing Iowa - Hawkeyes coach Todd Lickliter.

“I think he’s really comfortable against us,” Lickliter said. “I don’t think he feels any… I’m
sure when he sees Iowa on the schedule, he highlights that because it’s exciting for him.

“And I don’t blame him.”

Michigan plays Iowa again on Feb. 16.

Father-Son bonding

When Iowa redshirt freshman guard John Lickliter entered the game Saturday and played 24 minutes, Beilein couldn’t help but think back to the days when his son, Patrick, played for him at West Virginia.

Lickliter’s father, Todd, is the coach at Iowa.

Not at all the memories were rosy.

“It started making me mad when I heard fans yelling ‘Coach’s son’ because I’ve heard that many times,” Beilein said. “The funniest was at Notre Dame, when they called Patrick ‘Daddy’s girl.’

“That really upset him. That upset me. I’m used to that but that kid goes out and plays hard and you know he’s going out and playing every day for his dad just like my son did.”

Patrick Beilein is now on the staff with his father at Michigan.

A different beginning

Michigan usually lines up next to its bench after the national anthem ready to introduce the starting lineup. On Saturday, though, it was a bit different.

Instead, all of Michigan’s players and Beilein went and hugged Carol Slewert, who was recently diagnosed with a serious illness.

“She’s been driving to games here for two years,” Beilein said. “We don’t even know her but we heard about how loyal she is so we decided to sign a ball and give it to her before the game.”

Early in the game, a play came close to running into her and her party at their courtside seat, but no collision happened.

New wrist wear

For the first time this season, sophomore guard Zack Novak broke out a wardrobe change.

Tape. On his wrists.

“I was just doing it,” Novak said. “Look cool. I did it a little bit last year. Was just feeling it today.”

Morgan injured again

Freshman forward Jordan Morgan, tabbed to redshirt as he comes back from off-season knee surgery, has reinjured his knee twice this season.

“It’s the same knee, a contusion though,” Beilein said. “A different injury. He’s not going to be able to go now for two weeks.”

Morgan’s absence left 6-foot-3 freshman guard Eso Akunne, who is academically ineligible this semester, to play forward in practice.

This and that

Trey Zeigler from Mount Pleasant, who is being recruited by Michigan among others, was in attendance. … So was Rich Rodriguez, who had the student section chanting his name in the second half with the game well out of reach. … The Michigan Dance Team performed a combined halftime routine with selected members of the “Maize Rage,” the Wolverines’ student section.

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.