John Beilein and his players were careful not to criticize the officials after the game. The closest anybody came was when Beilein was answering a question about why he got a technical. (The answer: Zack Novak was called for a foul for standing still, and Beilein said he asked the official, “What (is he) supposed to do?”)
But three things to consider:
• 1. Harris had not fouled out once all year, despite playing 33 minutes per game. He had fouled out twice as a freshman — and in both of those games he played at least 37 minutes.
Against Oklahoma, he fouled out in 21 minutes.
• 2. Michigan averaged 15.2 fouls this year — the 10th-fewest in the nation. Oklahoma averaged 17.4. In this game, Oklahoma was called for 14 fouls and U-M was called for 23.
• 3. While Beilein juggled his lineup like a circus performer, Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel played his five starters the entire second half.
My point is not that the officials cost Michigan the game. I don’t see how anybody can fairly say that. But I do think it is fair to say that, whether the foul calls were justified or not, they kept the Wolverines from throwing their best punch.