CHICAGO (AP) — Michigan coach Dusty May leaned on Elliot Cadeau in the final minutes, and freshman Trey McKenney also stepped up at times.
It's a group effort for the Wolverines when it comes to replacing L.J. Cason.
Cadeau and McKenney helped No. 3 Michigan hold off Ohio State for a 71-67 victory in the Big Ten Tournament on Friday. Cadeau had 15 points, seven assists and three steals, and McKenney scored 10 of his 12 points in the first half.
Michigan (30-2) is one of the deepest teams in the country, but it lost a key guard when Cason tore the ACL in his right knee during an 84-70 win at Illinois on Feb. 27. Cason helped the Wolverines sweep their two games against the Buckeyes in the regular season by a combined 33 points.
Michigan's Big Ten tourney opener was just its third game since Cason was lost for the season.
“It’s a new challenge for all the guys to pick up the slack,” May said. “No one’s going to replace L.J. He’s a different bird, man. He can get to where he wants to. He’s strong enough. ... So everyone else just has to be a little bit better in their version of their best version.”
Cadeau played 36 minutes against Ohio State, matching his season high, and McKenney was on the court for 27 minutes in his most extensive action since he also played 27 minutes against Penn State. The two guards helped make up for an off day for Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg, who finished with only six points on 1-for-4 shooting from the field.
“It was a very bad day for me, but they stepped up,” Lendeborg said. “Those guys were aggressive scorers.”
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