Playing without its best player wasn’t much of a problem for Michigan on Saturday.
The Wolverines were without Caris LeVert, who was announced as day-to-day with a lower left leg injury just before the game, but had no trouble blowing out Penn State, 79-56, in Ann Arbor.
Mark Donnal had a second straight big performance, scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds to follow up his 26-point, nine-rebound game against Illinois earlier this week. Zak Irvin also stepped up with LeVert on the bench, scoring 16 points to match a season high and splashing home a season-high four made 3-pointers.
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Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman scored 14 points, and Aubrey Dawkins scored 13 points off the bench.
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The Wolverines shot a spectacular 59.2 percent from the field, hitting 14 3s to blitz past the Nittany Lions, who shot just 35.2 percent from the field. Michigan had a 21-point lead at the half and cruised from there, holding Penn State to 28 points in each half.
Brandon Taylor was the only player in double figures for the Lions, scoring 18 points.
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After the game, Michigan head coach John Beilein didn’t elaborate much on LeVert’s injury and classified him as day-to-day.
Michigan improved to 12-3 on the season and 2-0 in conference play with the win. Next up is a trip to Purdue on Thursday.
Penn State dropped to 9-6 overall and 0-2 in league play with the loss. Minnesota visits Happy Valley on Tuesday.