Michigan coach Kevin Borseth jumped and yelled angrily on the sideline of the women’s basketball team's 74-40 stomping of Minnesota on Sunday.

He erupted as an overthrown pass caused his team to turn the ball over as Michigan led the Golden Gophers 50-27 with less than 12 minutes remaining.

Why was Borseth so upset over something so inconsequential?

After all, he wound up playing freshmen Kate Thompson and Sam Arnold in garbage time after Michigan took such a comfortable lead.

He even played senior Kayln McPherson and sophomore Jamillya Hardley, who together have only played for a total of 56 minutes this season. (Their combined total is less than that of Thompson, who has played the third-fewest minutes with 77.)

It’s odd that Borseth was so irritated by the Wolverines’ mistakes, especially since players that haven't seen much game time were the ones making them.

But this outburst proves that Borseth is a good coach who is capable of making decisions that account for the future of the program down the road.

Borseth completely understood the implications of the mistakes his players made. Errors like those can make the opponent’s score look like it was much more of a competitive contest than it was. And Borseth knows the significance of style points — they can be an answer to the nebulous formula for an NCAA tournament berth.

So the next question: Why is Borseth the cherry Michigan needed on top of its sundae? How is he effectively solidifying his legacy in Crisler Arena?

For starters, he has united a team that lacked chemistry less than one year ago. Last February against the same Golden Gophers at home, Michigan lost 60-59. Even though the Wolverines started four seniors, Michigan's roster lacked the juice it needed to overcome that one-point mountain.

But this year is different. Borseth has established a family-type of environment at practice which has translated to the hardwood quite visibly.

Borseth is winning the games that matter. The Wolverines have beaten No. 7 Xavier and No. 23 Penn State. And Michigan kept two games against No. 5 Ohio State within three points.

That winning — in part — has resulted from Borseth making aggressive strategic decisions all season.

One instance was in the Wolverines’ first conference game, a 54-51 win over Iowa. The unique part about the win was Borseth’s decision to institute a full-court press in the last three minutes of the game, even though Michigan had been leading by eight points.

“We had to try to slow them down,” Borseth said after the victory. “We were trying to get the ball out of their hands a little bit. Trying to up the tempo a little bit instead of just getting to half court and laying the punches like Muhammad Ali. It’s better to be a little more aggressive.”

Executing a tiring strategy like a press requires well-conditioned players with the necessary stamina. And though that execution is seen on the court, it starts in the offseason.

In the offseason, Borseth has made magic happen not only with his current players but by recruiting players who are ready to fit and work in his system.

Two years ago, he signed now-sophomores Courtney Boylan and Carmen Reynolds. And Borseth truly recognized a lot of potential in Reynolds. She’s turned out to be a keeper, and is leading the Big Ten in 3-pointers with 52.

Then, Borseth signed six players before his third season, two of whom, Dayeesha Hollins and Jenny Ryan, have been on the starting roster all year. Ryan ranks second on the team in rebounds, snatching 140 boards, and leads the team with 45 steals. And Hollins sits at first on the team for assists with 80.

So Borseth may look a little silly jumping around in frustration after small, seemingly meaningless mistakes. But as long as he continues to win the big games and win the little games by big margins, his persona will put the Wolverines in a good position by season's end.