… John Beilein, who has had luck on past birthdays — this was Pittsnogle’s coming out game — but celebrated No. 55 Tuesday with a whimper as Michigan faded late and lost to Ohio State. That, of course, came after a players-only meeting, which is usually a bad sign. The Wolverines are now 5-17 (admit it, ill will or not, you didn’t expect that kind of struggle) and Beilein admits it’s been a tumultuous transition.

“I really didn’t anticipate how difficult it would be with a brand new team,” Beilein said. “I think we lost a lot of our confidence there. It’s difficult to build confidence when you’re having trouble just getting an open shot, like against Georgetown.”