Charles Post has been a writer for Maize n Brew since 2024, covering in-person media availabilities for Michigan athletics.
Following two straight games that went to overtime, the Michigan Wolverines are facing the toll that comes with Big Ten play. The conference is always a grind, and it's only magnified as Michigan navigates a grueling stretch.
After suffering an 84-81 buzzer-beating loss to Minnesota on Thursday, the Wolverines had to pick themselves up off the mat and prepare to host an upset-minded Northwestern just a few days later.
It certainly wasn't a perfect performance but Michigan eventually fought off Northwestern in the final minutes of overtime, picking up an 80-76 win to get back on track and remain unbeaten at Crisler Center this season.
The demanding schedule will continue to present challenges in the coming weeks, but the Wolverines are determined to press forward. Head coach Dusty May understands the difficulty of managing his team through a taxing period.
"The Minnesota game seems like a month ago. Now we turn our attention to Purdue," May told the media following the win over Northwestern on Sunday. "We have to have a good week of practice. We have to fix some things and find solutions to some of the problems that we have faced. It's January and we're still learning a lot about ourselves every single game."
With Michigan facing one of the best teams in the conference, the Purdue Boilermakers, on Friday night, May's primary task will be ensuring his players are well-rested and ready for yet another highly competitive matchup in a raucous atmosphere.
The recent overtime games have added a layer of complexity to Michigan's preparation, as playing an extra period can equate to fatigue for the players. The Wolverines will need to recover quickly before the showdown with Purdue, and May understands the value of rest.
"We're taking (Monday) off," May said. "We'll get back after it tomorrow with a plan for what we're going to see and what we need to do. This is one of our longer breaks of the season. At this time of the year, we're trying to fix problems because the coaches in our league are so good that they find holes in what you do, and now we have to counter that."
In order to combat the grind that is the Big Ten, the Wolverines must maintain high energy and stay locked in mentally. Embracing the challenge is essential as Michigan tries to remain in contention for a top seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
"We understand that it's a long season and if we let one loss crush us, then it's going to be a waste," Michigan center Vlad Goldin explained on Sunday. "If we can get stronger and learn from the losses, then we could have something good."
The upcoming stretch will certainly test the Wolverines' resilience, but it will also serve as an opportunity for growth. Their ability to thrive during a trying Big Ten gauntlet will be crucial as they strive to compete at Purdue and beyond.