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thewolverines24
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KEYS
Transition Defense: Transition defense is non-negotiable when defending Michigan State. The Spartans have one of the best transition attacks in the country on a yearly basis and this team?s struggles in the halfcourt make them even more reliant on transition attacks. MSU has been held below 15 transition point six times this season, including three of its four losses and its five worst offensive performances. Over the last decade, transition defense has been a program strength for U-M, but this group has struggled in key moments with communication in uptempo games.
Hunter Dickinson must control the game: Michigan?s offense is nearly unstoppable when teams have to scramble for defensive options against Hunter Dickinson. When they guard him one-on-one with their starting center, Michigan runs out of options pretty quickly. Arizona, Seton Hall and North Carolina contained Dickinson and flatlined Michigan?s offense. Indiana, Nebraska, Maryland, and San Diego State couldn?t and the Wolverines picked them apart. Marcus Bingham?s skinny frame makes it tough to project how he fares against Dickinsonj but his length and shot-blocking gives him a chance. This is the matchup that will shape the entire game while Michigan is on offense.
Make the point guards score: Michigan hasn?t played drop coverage as consistently and has experimented with different ball screen coverages throughout the year but this is the game to play it. The defensive game plan has to be to stay home on Max Christie and Gabe Brown on the wings and funnel Michigan State?s point guards into scoring situations in the middle of the floor. Not only does the scouting report match with MSU?s seasonal statistics, but Illinois just executed the plan to perfection during the week, holding MSU to .91 PPP a and a 47% assist rate.
Juwan Howard: Stuff the angry, little leprechaun in a trash can.
Go Blue!!!
KEYS
Transition Defense: Transition defense is non-negotiable when defending Michigan State. The Spartans have one of the best transition attacks in the country on a yearly basis and this team?s struggles in the halfcourt make them even more reliant on transition attacks. MSU has been held below 15 transition point six times this season, including three of its four losses and its five worst offensive performances. Over the last decade, transition defense has been a program strength for U-M, but this group has struggled in key moments with communication in uptempo games.
Hunter Dickinson must control the game: Michigan?s offense is nearly unstoppable when teams have to scramble for defensive options against Hunter Dickinson. When they guard him one-on-one with their starting center, Michigan runs out of options pretty quickly. Arizona, Seton Hall and North Carolina contained Dickinson and flatlined Michigan?s offense. Indiana, Nebraska, Maryland, and San Diego State couldn?t and the Wolverines picked them apart. Marcus Bingham?s skinny frame makes it tough to project how he fares against Dickinsonj but his length and shot-blocking gives him a chance. This is the matchup that will shape the entire game while Michigan is on offense.
Make the point guards score: Michigan hasn?t played drop coverage as consistently and has experimented with different ball screen coverages throughout the year but this is the game to play it. The defensive game plan has to be to stay home on Max Christie and Gabe Brown on the wings and funnel Michigan State?s point guards into scoring situations in the middle of the floor. Not only does the scouting report match with MSU?s seasonal statistics, but Illinois just executed the plan to perfection during the week, holding MSU to .91 PPP a and a 47% assist rate.
Juwan Howard: Stuff the angry, little leprechaun in a trash can.
Go Blue!!!
