Before Michigan played at Purdue on Jan. 7, coach John Beilein tried to warn his players.
The Wolverines obviously were deficient in the frontcourt, especially against Purdue’s 7-footers A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas.
But he figured all he could do was warn them and try to use sticks in practice to simulate the Boilermakers’ height.
The 87-70 loss showed that none of that was enough. None of U-M’s revolving door of centers played more than 15 minutes, and the four big men combined for 10 points, six rebounds and eight fouls.
There also was that matter of allowing Purdue to shoot 76% in the second half.