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thewolverines24
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2:30 PM Eastern on Fox.
KEYS
Hunter Dickinson versus what coverage? It felt like Michigan State made it a point of pride to play Dickinson straight up last year, and that was enough to win in East Lansing but it came crumbling down in Ann Arbor when he scored 33 points. I expect a lot more mixing and matching of defensive coverages this year ? straight up, dig, guard double, second post double, etc ? to try to keep Dickinson on his toes. Whatever the coverage, Dickinson needs to produce because the Spartans don?t have anywhere near as many proven defensive bigs to throw at him this year. We?ve seen Dickinson do this and just knowing he?s capable of that gives Michigan a shot.
Transition defense: Michigan State doesn?t run like a vintage Michigan State team ? 47th percentile in transition volume ? but if you come into the Breslin Center in this rivalry without playing great transition defense, then you are going to go home with a loss. Michigan?s transition defense has been spotty this year and also feels like it hasn?t been tested all that often. Saturday will be a great glimpse of whether the Wolverines are up to the job.
Game poise: The biggest difference between these two teams is that Michigan State has a roster of vets who have played in this rivalry, played in big games, and know what it takes to win (and they are playing at home). Michigan is relying on two freshmen in crucial roles who have shown the tendency to get sped up when the energy in the building gets ratcheted up. This is only the second road game for Dug McDaniel and Jett Howard, and it is in the most hostile venue on the schedule. How the Wolverines, especially younger players, handle those moments and make decisions under pressure will be pivotal. Most importantly: remember that technicals count as personal fouls and U-M has so little perimeter depth that any early foul trouble will change the game.
An outlier guard: Someone must make plays in the ball screen game for Michigan?s offense to win this game. My money is on Kobe Bufkin as the most likely candidate, but how Michigan?s backcourt trio handles MSU?s pick-and-roll defense will be equally crucial as Dickinson?s effectiveness on the block.
GO BLUE!
KEYS
Hunter Dickinson versus what coverage? It felt like Michigan State made it a point of pride to play Dickinson straight up last year, and that was enough to win in East Lansing but it came crumbling down in Ann Arbor when he scored 33 points. I expect a lot more mixing and matching of defensive coverages this year ? straight up, dig, guard double, second post double, etc ? to try to keep Dickinson on his toes. Whatever the coverage, Dickinson needs to produce because the Spartans don?t have anywhere near as many proven defensive bigs to throw at him this year. We?ve seen Dickinson do this and just knowing he?s capable of that gives Michigan a shot.
Transition defense: Michigan State doesn?t run like a vintage Michigan State team ? 47th percentile in transition volume ? but if you come into the Breslin Center in this rivalry without playing great transition defense, then you are going to go home with a loss. Michigan?s transition defense has been spotty this year and also feels like it hasn?t been tested all that often. Saturday will be a great glimpse of whether the Wolverines are up to the job.
Game poise: The biggest difference between these two teams is that Michigan State has a roster of vets who have played in this rivalry, played in big games, and know what it takes to win (and they are playing at home). Michigan is relying on two freshmen in crucial roles who have shown the tendency to get sped up when the energy in the building gets ratcheted up. This is only the second road game for Dug McDaniel and Jett Howard, and it is in the most hostile venue on the schedule. How the Wolverines, especially younger players, handle those moments and make decisions under pressure will be pivotal. Most importantly: remember that technicals count as personal fouls and U-M has so little perimeter depth that any early foul trouble will change the game.
An outlier guard: Someone must make plays in the ball screen game for Michigan?s offense to win this game. My money is on Kobe Bufkin as the most likely candidate, but how Michigan?s backcourt trio handles MSU?s pick-and-roll defense will be equally crucial as Dickinson?s effectiveness on the block.
GO BLUE!
