Hoops vs IU

[thewolverines24]

Michigan looks to get back on track tonight as it hosts Indiana (9:00 p.m., Peacock) to open the Big Ten season. The Hoosiers are 6-1 but have had to battle through most of their non-conference schedule, including closer-than-expected wins over Florida Gulf Coast, Army, Wright State, and Louisville.

KEYS

Win the 3-point battle: The 3-point shot has played a big part in IU and Michigan?s seasons up to this point. IU has struggled to make threes and defend them. Michigan has made threes but struggled to defend them. Teams are shooting 39.4% from 3-point range against the Wolverines (342nd), but it feels like something has to give against the least productive 3-point shooting team in the country. The Hoosiers haven?t made more than four threes in a game, and Michigan hasn?t held an opponent below five makes in a game.

Defend the paint (without fouling): It?s not much of a secret what Indiana will do offensively. The Hoosiers will force the ball into the post and try to utilize their size to score inside. Michigan has a frontcourt that should be well-equipped to defend that style of play but hasn?t been tested to this extent since its early-season game at St. John?s. Foul trouble could play a key role in the frontcourt matchups as well. Malik Reneau has been foul-prone, but Olivier Nkamhoua and Tarris Reed Jr. are no strangers to foul trouble themselves.

Game control: Even in games that Michigan has won this season, it hasn?t felt like the Wolverines maintained control of the game?s flow. That was evident at Oregon over the weekend, where Michigan could keep pace all night but never looked comfortable against Oregon?s pressure and matchup zone and couldn?t win the turnover/transition battle. At home against an Indiana team with limited perimeter threats, it feels like the perfect opportunity to dictate the game and create Michigan?s style of play.

BOTTOM LINE

This sets up as one that you?ve gotta have for Michigan. The Wolverines have lost four of five and have already dropped a home game, and they?ll be favored against the Hoosiers. Beat Indiana on your home floor, open Big Ten play with a win, and you have a fresh start and some momentum ahead of a weekend trip to Iowa.

KenPom pegs the Wolverines as 77-71 favorites with a 69% chance of opening league play with a victory.

GO BLUE!

 

[biggunsbob]

Go Blue !

 

[biggunsbob]

Right now Reed is a mess . He needs to slow down. Watch his feet.

 

[biggunsbob]

Michigan having trouble taking advantage of Indiana's turnovers.

 

[biggunsbob]

Indiana does not look that good to me. We look awful .
Down 28-21 playing real bad.

 

[biggunsbob]

Better energy now by um.

 

[biggunsbob]

Reed and everyone playing much better tied game up late 1st.

 

[biggunsbob]

Dug is 1 for 10 at the 12 minute mark of the 2nd in a tie game. Great finish by Jackson.

 

[biggunsbob]

Shocker Big ten refs are awful.

 

[biggunsbob]

Dug hits a shot. Need to get some more from him.

 

[biggunsbob]

This team just can?t hold a lead. Had a five point lead not trial by one. Seriously how is that not a shooting foul ?
Can Michigan break through in a close game ! Hopefully we can get the lead back.

 

[biggunsbob]

Lazy boxing out by Williams . Nothing new there. He had an easy box out and gets out hustled and a fouled called on him in a tie game. This Michigan team is a frustrating watch in my opinion.

 

[biggunsbob]

Why bring Reed into cover him ? He can?t coach.

 

[biggunsbob]

Dug misses 3 free throws down the stretch on two different possessions. We missed critical ft at Oregon also.

 

[biggunsbob]

This team just can?t win close games. Another poor job by the Michigan coaching staff.
Just another bad loss in the Howard era.


Come on dug pass the ball left before the foul.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Can only follow on ESPN Gamecast

 

[biggunsbob]

Lost 78-75.

Michigan loses another close game under Howard and his staff.

 

[biggunsbob]

Team blows. Out scored. 55-28 in the paint Reed is a big waste in my opinion right now.

Indiana?s best Pg is out and we can?t beat this team.

Michigan is such a hard watch. I just can?t put my finger on it. One minute they looked great .
The next they are turning it over a bunch of getting a foul called on them.

Freaking Woodson out coached whoever is calling Michigan?s plays down the stretch.

 

[thewolverines24]

Martelli sucks at this stage. He clearly doesn't care about defense at all and holds no one accountable on that end. Burnett and Nkamhoua came in as defensive strengths and they're playing the worst defense of their college careers.

 

[Michchamp]

I don't have any faith that this team will improve; it seems like under Howard, how they are at the beginning of the season is how they'll be all season long.