Team of Destiny? Wolverines Run Still Going

I haven't blogged enough about this tournament run.  I didn't write up about Kansas or Florida.  My fault folks.  But the excitement and disbelief of this run has overwhelmed me to be completely honest.  But it's time to do my "job."

Michigan's win over Kansas was one for the ages.  Down 14 in the second half, down 10 with just over two minutes left, the team did not quit.  Trey Burke hit the most absurd shot I have ever seen.  Ever.  From way down town to tie the game late.  Stone cold.

The game against Florida was a bit shocking.  I had a feeling Michigan would win; Florida hadn't played a non-double-digit seed the tournament.  But I did not expect Michigan to come out and punch them in the mouth like that and then keep at it.  Florida was never in the game, besides when it was 0-0.

Now that brings us to last night.  Syracuse had shut down teams, averaging a tournament low 49.5 ppg against.  The 2-3 zone of Boeheim and the Orange was well-talked about.  The length of the players, how would Burke fair penetrating?  How would the Michigan shooters handle the close-out length and speed of the Syracuse defenders?

Well in a way, the answer to the first question was "not well."  Burke struggled offensively, hitting only one shot from the field (a really deep three.)  But Burke did make some, not all, his free throws late.  Michigan still did it's best from the line to keep Syracuse in it, missing nine all together.

The three point shooters did get the job done.  They shot 33% (8-24) which doesn't sound all that pretty, but eight three pointers made is what's key.  24 points from beyond the arc will go a long way in helping any team win a ball game, and it sure helped Michigan over come the 2-3 zone.

Give John Beilein credit, who gets his first win over Boeheim in his 10th try.  Beilein had that team ready to play against that zone.  Given a week to prepare, he made sure the players were ready to shoot over close outs and lengthy arms, doing drills where players held what looked to me like a pad on a stick, to simulate the close out.

But the key to this game, in my eyes, was the play of Mitch McGary.  Coach Beilein said all week they had Mitch running passing and shooting drills from the elbow, the ideal place to have the ball to beat a two three zone.  And his stat line (10 points, 12 boards, and 6 assists) showed that all that extra work really payed off.

Next up for the Wolverines, a date with Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals, the number one overal seed of the tournament.  Louisville loves to full court pressure and force turnovers.  This game should be an up and down game.

And here's why, I'm taking... MICHIGAN.  Louisville relies on turnovers and pressure.  Michigan has the guards to break pressure in Burke, Hardaway, Albrecht, and Stauskus.  Michigan doesn't turn the ball over, having one of the lowest turnover margins in the country.

The up-tempo game that Louisville wants to play is also the pace Michigan wants to play.  And I believe the key to this game will be guard play.  Siva and Smith are the second best backcourt in the country... Behind Burke and Hardway.  I'm taking the Wolverines in this one 77-72 in what should be an up and down thriller.

GO BLUE!

The Tale of Two Halves; Michigan Falls to Badgers

How to beat Michigan:  Step one: Foul them.  They can't make free throws, ask Indiana and Wisconsin.

Step Two:  Pound it inside.  You will be met with little resistance. (Again, ask Indiana and Wisconsin.)

Michigan had a chance to silence some doubters and get a revenge game against Wisconsin after the Badgers beat them in the only regular season matchup in dramatic fashion.  I am not recapping it because I don't like being sad and angry.

But today, Michigan proved once again, that they are not tough and can be bullied.  Wisconsin shot an incredible 17% in the first half, and miraculously only trailed by 3.  Michigan went 0-4 from the stripe in the first half, and also failed to make a three point basket.

Then in the second half, Wisconsin had their way with Michigan and then some, pounding the ball inside at will, which opened up the arch for it's three point shooters.  Wisconsin scored 51 second half points.  And anyone who's seen Wisconsin play a game knows that 51 points in a game for them is an accomplishments, let alone 20 minutes.

But Michigan's bigs got worked and offered no resistance.  Not even little resistance, no resistance.  But Michigan rallied from an 11 point deficit to get it to two late in the game.  But they're 7 (10-17) missed free throws loomed too large and Wisconsin got momentum back by, you guessed it, out working the Wolverines inside and getting free throws.  

In any tight game, free throws are a deciding factor.  Michigan lost to Indiana because they failed to make free throws down the stretch.  Had Michigan made free throws in this one, the half time lead would have been bigger, and those 7 points would have loomed large late in this one.

And on the other end, Wisconsin made they're free throws, going 16-21 from the line, a +6 point differential to Michigan's 10-17.

There isn't much else to add.  Michigan shot poor from three, poor from the field, poor from the line.  The defense got worked in the second half, and Michigan had no consistency on offense.  This is not a good way to go into the tournament.  

Unless Michigan dials up the defense and makes some free throws, this run won't go past the Sweet 16.  Coach Beilein has got his work cut out for him.

SIDEBAR:

I saw something on Twitter that really irked me.  I saw "fans" attempting to trend #FireBelein.  Really? Fire Beilein?  Why? Because we didn't win a share of the Big Ten? Because we didn't win the Big Ten Tournament?  It's not like we've been a top ten team all year in the best conference in college basketball.

Why don't you all who hopped on this bandwagon drink a nice glass of calm down juice, get back to me in a week and see if you feel the same way.  Guarantee you won't.

Must Win Game for Wolverines

Photo Credit:USA Today

We're all used to Michigan and Ohio State games having major importance for both teams.  Not only the for the sake of the rivalry but usually in Big Ten play.  But normally, they're playing football.  Not basketball.

Tonight, the Wolverines and Buckeyes meet for the first time as AP top 10 basketball teams (Michigan 3, OSU 10) and the implications of this game couldn't be much higher.

This year's Big Ten conference is incredibly competitive.  The Wolverines were usurped from their #1 ranking by the current #1 team Indiana after the Hoosiers won on Saturday.  Every conference game is crucial, with each team being so strong and the top of the conference so close in talent and standings.

Tonight's game is no different, with both teams touting a 7-2 conference record.  If both teams want to win the Big Ten, this game is an important one to have, but even more so for the Wolverines.

Michigan's two conference losses (and two losses on the season) are to Indiana and Ohio State.  If Michigan were to lose tonight to Ohio State, they would then lose the tie-breaker to the Buckeyes, meaning they would have to rely on other teams to keep their B1G title chances alive.

Michigan is also coming off a tough road loss, coming home against their rival, and have two very tough conference road games following this game.  Michigan cannot afford to drop this game.

Which is exactly why I am picking Michigan to hold off the Buckeyes tonight 72-66.  I expect them to come out stronger than the first meeting with the Crisler crowd behind them.  Expect Trey Burke to have a better all-around game than he did against Indiana.  Michigan cannot afford 20+ shots from their point guard.

GoBlue BEATohio 

Michigan is Silly Good

Photo Credit: Detroit News

Michigan basketball is really good, in fact, they're one of the top teams in the country.

Ya know in case you've been living under a rock this winter... And yes, I meant basketball, not football (although I miss the top 5 days of Michigan football.  Go to hell SEC and your  cheating ways.)

Well to make up for the SEC taking over football, the Big Ten has taken over basketball.  And Michigan is right up there with the best of them.  Although I think not a team in the country is as electric, deep, and flat out good as Indiana.

But Michigan will compete, and may just beat them at Crysler.  This team is extremely deep.  Ridiculously deep.  Absurdly deep.

Did I mention they're a deep team?

Michigan has been building a good program under Beilein, but the one problem they've had is a lack of all-around depth and a plethora of scoring options.  This team has that and then some.

This team could play a secondary line up and still beat teams.  (Okay, maybe not, but they could compete.)

Stauskas, McGary, Robinson III paint a bright future for this squad, and with veterans like Burke, Hardaway, and Morgan, this squad will make a deep run in March.

You heard it here definitely not first, but you read it here.  Michigan WILL be a Final Four Team.  Chalk it up.  This team is too good, and too deep.  Too many scoring options, and for once under Beilein, they have more than one post presence.

It's going to be a fun year Wolverines.  Buckle up and enjoy the ride.