WXYZ — Michigan is firmly in control of it's Big Ten championship hopes with just five games left, but they haven't even considered what has to happen to lock up it's first regular season title since 2014.
"We haven't talked with them about being in first place in the Big Ten, we haven't one day talked to them about that, we haven't talked to them about being the third ranked team, there's a balance and there's a joy about this day and only this day," assistant coach Phil Martelli said.
"I think that's a team mentality nobody has talked about 'we only gotta do this or this to win a Big Ten Championship' the team is always focused on who we play next," freshman center Hunter Dickenson said.
Phil Martelli has been a part of plenty of good basketball teams over his career. This Michigan team?
— Justin Rose (@JRoseWXYZ) February 24, 2021
He's never seen anything like it.
Michigan is focused on staying balanced, and in the moment as they work toward a Big Ten title. pic.twitter.com/mO8pDFILzR
According to the Kenpom rankings, the Wolverines rank fourth and eighth in offensive and defensive efficiency respectively.
That type of on the court balance is what every team in the country strives for, and during the unprecedented season that is this year, but off the floor has been as equally important for this team to rally around.
"Flat out and simple, balanced. Emotional, psychological and basketball balance that this group has and there's not a day where we don't mention what John Beilein did, those older guys set the balance, and the way Juwan has connected and kept that balance, never once has he thrown his hands in the air and said 'I can't believe we're out for two and a half weeks there's a balance with the way Juwan has handled this," Martelli said.
The Wolverines host ninth ranked Iowa on Thursday before a trip to Indiana this weekend.
