Michigan Basketball: Moe Wagner Talks Foot Injury, Michigan State Rivalry
Michigan junior forward Moritz “Moe” Wagner is still dealing with a foot/ankle injury that isn’t 100 percent.
Michigan coach John Beilein wouldn’t comment on whether there was a new injury, saying he was “not at liberty” to say.
However, Wagner said Friday that he expects to play against Michigan State, despite being “annoyed” by the injury.
“It’s seen better days, but it’s good enough,” Wagner said. “It’s gotten better. It was weird, just because I’ve never had to sit out a game in my career in college. I haven’t been injured in a while to the extent where I actually had to sit out, or where it bothered me as much where I couldn’t practice and participate in all the team things.”
When asked if there was any chance of him not playing, he brushed it off.
“Let’s pray that I’m not getting injured today, so I mean, there’s a chance, but I hope there’s not a chance,” Wagner said.
Wagner talked about how this game matters more to people in the state — and that there’s a little bit of extra urgency because of it.
“I’m not from Michigan, I’m not from this country,” Wagner said. “I know how much this means to fans, and I know how much this means to people that are from here and my teammates. I talked to Derrick [Walton] last night, and this stuff means a lot to him. … Yes, it’s a rivalry and it’s heated, but that doesn’t mean I give less the next game. As an athletic you go into every game and give 100 percent.”
He called MSU a team that is strong down low, on the boards and skilled at blocking shots. He will be matched up against both sophomore forward Nick Ward and freshman center Jaren Jackson. Jackson averages over three blocks per game.
“They’re a very, very low post heavy team,” Wagner said. “They’re very talented at every position and can shoot the rock. I would love to tell you what to take away and whatnot, but it won’t be that easy.”
Wagner, who knows as well as anyone that this game can be heated, said that he doesn’t take anything personally that happens on the court. He was tripped in last year’s game by Ward, who received a technical foul.
He added that the Breslin Center has at atmosphere that is fun to play in.
“It’s a unique experience, the people there are very energetic, very passionate,” Wagner said. “They love basketball, they love this rivalry and it’s fun.”
The Wolverines were not happy about their defensive performance against Purdue. Wagner noted that while it was clear the last few seconds didn’t go U-M’s way, he was disappointed that the team was unable to take away the three — something Michigan prides itself on. Both Michigan and Michigan State are in the top 19 in the nation in scoring defense.
Freshman Isaiah Livers stepped up and played solid defense against the Boilermakers and could even start against the Spartans Saturday. Wagner was asked what he needs to say to Livers and the other young or new players on Michigan’s roster about the importance of this game.
“Nothing,” Wagner said. “They’ve lived in America long enough, they understand sports well enough to know that Michigan against Michigan State is a very competitive game and a game that is much looked at. They understand how significant that is.”
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