Midway through the college basketball season in Ann Arbor, Michigan basketball fans have the right to be disappointed. Disappointed in a team that has underachieved over the past few weeks, despite the talent that is present.

The Wolverines have dropped six straight games and seven of their last eight. They have just one win in Big Ten conference play, after losing to Indiana and Northwestern, both of which have losing records in the Big Ten. And yet they constantly manage to get fans to have hope that the next game will be a huge win.

First, it was a game against ninth-ranked Syracuse that Michigan faithfuls hoped would be a marquee win. Until Michigan, after playing the Orange even throughout the game, scored just 19 points in the second half of the 53-50 loss.

Then it was third-ranked Kansas who came to Crisler Arena flying high with an undefeated record. Michigan exceeded all expectations, and forced the Jayhawks into overtime, before Kansas opened up the game for a seven point victory. Again, Michigan’s fans were heartbroken but there was a beacon of light:  Michigan could play with the third-ranked team in the nation!

In the very next game, second-ranked Ohio State came into town, expecting to blow Michigan out in a rivalry game that has been scarlet and gray for as long as we can remember. Michigan was able to make it close in the final minute after a second half comeback, but could not get closer than two points in the 68-64 loss.

Finally, most recently, fifteenth-ranked Minnesota came to Ann Arbor. Michigan, for the fourth time this season, was in a close game in the second half against a ranked team. And for the fourth time, the Wolverines were unable to capitalize, finally losing by five points.

The game against Kansas began the Wolverines’ current six game losing streak, taking a team that looked like it could contend for the Big Ten crown, and throwing it back into tenth place out of the conference’s eleven teams. The Wolverines have since been unable to recover. Here are a couple of quick stats from the team’s first 20 games:

• 11-9 overall record (1-6 in Big Ten)
• 9-4 at home; 2-5 on the road (1-3; 0-3)
• 0-5 vs. top 25 teams
• 66.4 point per game; 62.6 points allowed
• 271 assists; 207 turnovers
• .433 shooting percentage

These stats show that the Wolverines have, for the most part, outplayed their opponents. They have not been able to perform against teams in the top 25 or against the Big Ten, however, and the .433 shooting percentage is abysmal, good enough for just 189th in the country.

Nevertheless, there are some bright spots for the Wolverines, as they move into the final ten games of the regular season. Darius Morris averages 15.5 points per game for Michigan, while Tim Hardaway Jr. also averages double digit points. The Wolverines have a total of six players averaging more than five points per game, demonstrating their balanced scoring attack. And they have, if nothing else, showed their ability to keep the game close with elite teams.

The Wolverines have been able to do everything but put it together in the final minutes to get a signature victory. But this season has, without a doubt, been a disappointment so far because of Michigan’s inability to finish games. Hopefully, in the latter part of the season, the Wolverines will be able to pull it together to make a run at the postseason.