BasicsWho: Michigan (2-0) vs. Creighton (2-1) |
 |
The lights are finally on. Michigan has rolled through Northern Michigan and Houston Baptist but those games were little more than glorified exhibition games. We have waited patiently for this season and it’s finally here. This weekend will provide fans with a chance to see Michigan take on some very tough competition.
Michigan’s first game against Creighton provides an interesting test. The Jays are a perennial Missouri Valley power house and, judging by their fans behavior, a team that is relishing the opportunity to make a name for themselves.
John Beilein and Creighton head coach Dana Altman have gone head to head before, in a first round 2005 NCAA tournament game. Beilein’s Mountaineers came away victorious, 63-61, thanks to a blocked three point shot and break away dunk in the closing second. In a game that featured plenty of threes and few free throws, the shocking number was the turnovers. West Virginia turned the ball over on 26% of their possessions, an incredibly high number for a Beilein led team.
Creighton lost MVC player of the year Booker Woodfox to graduation but the cupboard is far from dry. The Jays are incredibly deep, with 10 players averaging more than 12 minutes per game and five scoring in double figures.
In the backcourt, P’Allen Stinnett is averaging 12.6 points and 4 assists per game. Junior college transfer Darryl Ashford has given the Jays a wing scorer but they Jays also have several three point threats. Kaleb Korver and freshman Ethan Wragge are both deadly outside shooters who can’t be left open.
Similarly to Michigan, the Jays run a perimeter oriented offense. They aren’t a great rebounding team and love to shoot three pointers. They also have begun to implement some aspects of the dribble drive offense that John Calipari made famous.
Creighton has a very small lineup and this could be one of the first games where Michigan might actually have a size advantage. The main low post presence is 6-foot-9 junior Kenny Lawson who is averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds per game. Wayne Runnels is a 6-foot-6 forward who leads the Jays in rebounds with just over 7 per game.
For more on Creighton’s personnel, make sure to check out my Q&A with The White and Blue Review.
With two teams that are so reliant on the three point shot, shooting is obviously going to be huge. It’s always interesting to see how both teams react to an early start time in a smaller gym. With Creighton’s various styles of defense it will also be interesting to see whether Michigan is able to hold onto the ball as well as they have early this year (TO% under 10%).
The biggest advantage for Michigan is that I’m not sure that Creighton has anyone that can guard DeShawn Sims or Manny Harris. They have plenty of bodies to run at Harris but no elite level stopper. Kenny Lawson is big but he should have trouble with DeShawn’s inside outside presence. Because of these tough match-ups, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Creighton play around with several defenses.
Have a great Thanksgiving and Go Blue. Thoughts and predictions are welcome in the comments.
I see a game of runs. UofM will take a small lead into half time, but give it up in the 2nd half as Creighton comes out on fire after halftime. UofM starts hitting shots though, and Manny ices it from the line. UofM by 10.
Manny and Sims will get theirs. I think Novak goes off. He’ll benefit by playing against someone smaller (finally).
Based on what I have heard from sources inside the locker room, the team has been very focused on this tournament (specifically Creighton). This may have to do with the fact that the previous 3 opponents have been so weak but nevertheless, Beilein has this team ready for the improvement in competition so do not expect to see the same team that struggled with Houston-Baptist last week. I expect Michigan to come out firing on all cylinders and take this one by double-digits. Go Blue!
Regardless of what happens, this game and tournament will be a good gauge of our post-season aspirations.
Jeff Van Gundy on ESPN last night during the Magic-Heat game: “Is there a better coach in the country John Beilein? This guy gets more out of his players than any coach in the country. Year after year this guy gets it done. There are a lot of good coaches in the country but this guy is the best.”
Well this is fun – a little bit of March tourney madness in November. Go Blue!
I’ll predict that Michigan pulls out a close one, 76-71. Although, as I’ve said before, I won’t be surprised to see Creighton win.
wow, nice Van Gundy quote…”Best” is a big word, but he’s definitely up there. Give him a few years more at Michigan: if we start competing for National Championships, then “best” may very well be deserved.
Let’s say 70-65, good guys.
I’m thinking we win by 10, with Manny and Peedi scoring whenever they please. The shooters continue to have problems, but they will start to pick it up as the game wears on. Michigan 70, Creighton 60.
In other Old Spice Tournaments games:
- Xavier and Marquette light it up, with Xavier pulling away big in the second half, 85-72.
- Baylor takes out Alabama, but the Crimson Tide put up a better fight than people expect, 59-53.
- I wanted to pick Iona to upset Florida State, but I just can’t do it. Scott Machado is a tremendous talent, but I think FSU will contain him. Not to mention Solomon Alabi will be unstoppable. Seminoles win in the closest game of the day, 60-57.
Waiting in line outside the Milkhouse to get in, I’d say there are about 30 Michigan fans and 15 Creighton fans…
Giddings: Hooray for home court advantage
lol Giddings. Hopefully the numbers are a little larger than that, but I’ll take a 2 to 1 advantage in fans. As for the game, I think this could be the game that LLP puts it all together. I expect him to go off in one of the three, so why not today. Creighton jumps out early, but UM takes control before the half and cruises in the second half. 74-62 for the win. Go Blue and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Go Blue! Let’s win this thing and get on a roll.
Season debut for the maize jerseys!
Love the maize, Giddings keep us updated down there!
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Go Blue !!!!
Happy Thankgiving to all. Among the many things and people I am thankful for are John Beilein and Dylan. The minutes are getting long, Go Blue
Jim Burr is in the house… not sure if that’s a good or bad thing for us. Fan count is now maybe 55% Michigan 45% Creighton.
Jim Burr has now officiated every Michigan game this year… Odd.
Ha, Jalen Rose with the let’s go Peedi shoutout at the end of First and 10.
Threes aren’t falling but Michigan playing solid in the start. 1-3-1 zone looks good. Darius Morris is being assertive but man that three point stroke needs work.
The 1-3-1 looks great against Crieghton. A couple turnovers in row force the Jays to call a time out with Michigan up 11.
Novak with a great backdoor cut and reverse layup followed by the steal and run out.
Team looks poised and playing under control even against Creighton’s pesky defense.
Creighton answers with a run of their own. Michigan looks a little gassed and calls a time out, 24-21 Mich. with 6:04 to play.
Sims has been nonexistent thus far, and the Blue Jays are doing a good job of making Manny work.
In the most breaking and shocking news, the Lions are winning 7-0.
Novak and Morris are playing great. Frustrating that they let Creighton crawl back into the game a bit down the stretch this half. The 1-3-1 is giving Creighton all kinds of problems which is good to see.
That was a garbage offensive foul call on Laval down the stretch. Followed by that three. Ugh.
First half thoughts: UM has to find an answer for the cutter from the top against the 1-3-1. Maybe stop trapping the corner and allow sims to stay at home. Creighton has gotten way to many easy layups out of that.
These refs are ridiculously bad. Creighton is allowed to basically do a prostate exam on every UM ballhandler, yet a couple small bumps have been called fouls on UM. I assume this gets worked out at the half and the refs realize how unbalanced they have been.
The offense has been solid. It is pretty clear that Creighton can not guard us w/out fouling, so as long as we stay aggressive we should score. My worry is that we start to settle for threes in the second half and just dont make them.
Rebounding has been pretty even, but I thought Creighton was a little more aggressive on the boards.
If the refs continue calling the game the way they are (i bet they change), then UM needs to just match Creightons over-agressiveness. There is no reason this team should out hustle us. All in all not a terrible half, but we should be up ten right now.
Creighton made a nice adjustment in attacking the 1-3-1; they are a very well-coached team.
Blue is still refusing to run the offense more often than I would like.
Worst refs ever. Good lord. Young is practically piggy back riding on LLP each time down the floor and they call a ridiculously weak offensive foul to reward him for it.
Pretty intense atmosphere here, even though it’s a small venue… we gotta get this win.
My prediction is looking good so far. Novak bringing it and ESPN noted four major back and forth runs in the first half. Just need them to win by ten to makeme look like a prophet.
ps- love the zone trap today. Some defensive breakdowns but the TOs and easy baskets make up for it.
Would like to see Michigan go into DeShawn a little more consistently this half. He can get good looks down there.
More importantly, why is it called the Milk House?
That’s twice these refs have called a travel instead of a charge/block. One both directions. Ridiculous.
Calls from the bench “RUN PEEDI, RUN!”
Creighton is here to play. Up 1 at the first TV timeout. Going to be a dog fight the whole way.
Carter is absolutely killing Michigan slashing to the hoop. Bad luck that this is his first game back.
Burr needs to get run down more often.
No kidding. It’d be nice if they didn’t get a call every time one of their players fell down from less contact than you’d get in a JR high girls game.
The transition defense really needs to tighten up, we’re giving up too many open looks.
Also, can someone inform Manny Harris he’s the best player on the floor?!?
Our offense is having difficulty creating points from set plays against their defense. Points of turnovers are great, but when they tighten things up, we aren’t executing as well as they are in the half court. Frustrating.
Creighton just wants it more
we’re not matching their intensity
LLP seems to be one of the few guys on the team that came to play today.
LLP is giving us a third scorer and Novak a fourth. The first one is really struggling, though…
4 minute TO, down 5 Michigan is on the ropes. Need a bucket badly here.
Stu Douglass! Wow!
Manny’s in Dismal World today. Bricks two free throws with a chance to extend the lead beyond 2.
What is wrong with Manny?…man, he is struggling.
Manny is out of psync this game from start to finish, kinda like that game at PSU last year. Hopefully we can gut this one out, LLP stepped it up big time
cmon Manny
Come on Manny. Finish this.
Crap.
Stu Douglass! Ole!
Someone should have been parked under the basket. Wow.
Well, this gives Manny a chance to catch up with Evan Turner in the all-important triple-double race…
too worried about the three to guard the basket. but i dont understand why you dont pick up full court to prevent a guy from getting a full steam run at the hoop.
What’s with Manny’s poor free throw shooting? He’s missed 5 in the second half. That’s the game right there…
Manny needs some turnovers to catch Turner.
Sims has also missed 5 or 6 bunnies.
Helluva catch by Peedi to give Manny his tenth dime.
Manny taking over in OT. One rebound away from triple double.
Does Manny need one rebound or one assist for a triple double? Announcers say he needs one rebound. But ESPN boxscore says he needs one assist.
Announcer just called Manny “Manny Jackson,” who after a quick Google search I found out was a Harlem Globetrotter. Awesome.
NOVAK!!!! Beast.
Manny needs a board. He’s got 11 dimes.
Guys, stop worrying about the stats. This team needs a W.
Manny’s gotta work on those free throws.
Gutty, gutty performance from Michigan. Manny struggled for much of the game but took over. Post game later. Pay attention in the next game.
A lot of things worried me about this game; whether Manny got his triple-double was right up there with what socks Eso Akunne was wearing.
Not every day somebody has a terrible game and goes 20-9-11.
Creighton’s a really solid team. I hope Carter’s knee is OK.
Whew…
Now go enjoy your holiday, Dylan.
I think they were standard, white, no-show adidas. Seriously though, UM survives not only Creighton but the officials. What a terribly officiated game. UM got no calls for about 37 minutes, then the officials started calling every little bump, then in OT they called nothing. Just an odd game.
Good to see LLP, Novak both step up and score. Amazing that Manny was that close to a triple-double. I thought this was one of his worst games over the last two years.
Gotta love this team for getting the job done against a very game Creighton team. Game ball to Douglass for his thirty foot three in regulation.
I’m thankful i didn’t have a heart attack. great game to win. tomorrow will be tough since we’ll be gassed.
have a great turkey day. save a turkey eat a blue jay.
———————————————
more fresh less corperryale! Go Blue!
p.s. huge props to LLP today
Great game guys, gotta give it up to Creighton but in the end the maze and blue prevailed. Everybody stepped up and it was good to see D-mo shooting more.
My only concern is with that full court press Stu worries me a lot he’s not to good with handles (Better than last year) but still stressful I agree with JB almost had a heart attack…
Go Blue!
Mannys missed FTs cost me a prediction
good game though. Overtime this early is an invaluable tool for this young team.
im thankful for the W. Now see if the lions win!
Also, I hope our Creighton friends come back for their medicine.
Congrats to the Wolverines and you Michigan fans. The better team won today. I am not one for “moral” victories, but the fact we could take a team like Michigan to overtime bodes well for the Jays. Good luck the rest of season. I know you will be in the Big Dance. Hopefully we will, too, and maybe have a chance for rematch.
JayFan….first off nice name! Second, you are the type of fan blogs are made for….Good Luck as well
Whew, I’m exhausted. What a game, players on both teams really stepped up, and as I mentioned the atmosphere was great. Very impressed with the Creighton fans, and by the end our section woke up as well. Xavier looks like the team to beat in this game, they’ve got some impressive athletes. Although Kenny Frease seems to travel every time he touches the ball.
Creighton is a tenacious, physical team. I feel exhausted just having watched that! But a great win for M!!!
This Xavier Marquette game has been close throughout. Both teams would be a tough match for UofM. We’ll need our threes to fall to win our next one. Grease is a huge dude. I think the key to winning next round is Gibson
Sorry “grease” should have been “frease”. Stupid auto-fill on my phone…
Nice win. Definitely a lot of teaching moments for Beilein but we got the job done. Go Blue!
Just got back from The Milk House. Thank god we won that game. My vacation depended on it. I was literally shaking. You would have thought I was watching the Final Four the way I was yelling.
I was very impressed with Creighton’s play and especially impressed with their fans. I would have to say that they were the louder bunch. However, a jovial Michigan fan told our section that he tipped the local high school band. Next thing you know, they were playing the Victors on almost every time out. It was awesome. I was wondering “Did they learn that at half time?” I thought Novak was awesome and Manny just took the game over when we needed it the most. Did that facial dunk look as awesome on TV as it did in person? Maybe his best dunk yet.
I stayed to watch the Xavier/Marquette game, and I have to say that tomorrow looks like another huge challenge. Marquette was fast, athletic, and physical. They were hitting their shots too. Hopefully the 131 zone throws them off. I imagine that they have been preparing for Xavier and may not have had the time to prepare for it. Great day overall.
Giddings, I’ll be tailgating in the parking lot before the game tomorrow if you want to share a beer. You can shoot me an email at kenbgeorge@gmail.com if you want to exchange numbers. Go Blue!!