BasicsWho: Michigan (9-7, 3-2) vs. Connecticut (11-5, 2-3) |
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Michigan gets their second crack at a top 25 team inside the friendly confines of Crisler Arena. The first time around, Michigan pulled away from Ohio State for their best win of the year.
The style of basketball that these two teams play is dramatically different while the angst among the fan bases at this point in the season appears to be eerily similar. The UConn Blog’s Andrew Porter manages to sum up his feelings in one play:
Gavin Edwards grabbed the ball and threw an outlet pass to Dyson. Dyson raced up the court and promptly lost control. He tried a desperation pass to Walker, but since he was already cutting to the hoop, Walker was out of position. Walker dived after the ball and, in an attempt to keep it inbounds, threw it right into the waiting arms of a Pitt defender. Game over. That play was UConn’s entire season in 10 seconds — exciting, fast, athletic, fundamentally flawed and marred by a dumb turnover.
Porter compares Connecticut’s season to their 2007 season that saw the Huskies go from preseason #18 to 6-10 in the Big East and missing out on the post-season entirely.
Stanley Robinson is a dynamic athlete and likely lottery pick
Connecticut is big, strong, and athletic but not nearly as good as the team that Michigan faced last year in Storrs. In the front court, the Huskies rely on a trio of 6-foot-9 forwards: super athlete Stanley Robinson (17 points, 7 rebounds), freshman and former McDonald All-American Alex Oriakhi (6 points, 9 rebounds), and senior Gavin Edwards (11 points, 6 rebounds).
Jerome Dyson is an all-around player that averages 19 points per game
In the backcourt, Jerome Dyson (19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and Kemba Walker (13 points, 6 assists) shoulder the load. Walker is an ultraquick setup man while Dyson is a bit taller at 6’4 and can rack up points in a hurry. It was Dyson who killed Michigan last year, scoring 19 points and hitting 3 out of 4 three pointers.
Similar to Michigan, Connecticut isn’t a particularly deep team. Their bench plays on 16.6% of the team’s minutes, the lowest number in the country. Ater Majok has actually started some games but the raw big man only plays about 10 minutes per game. Wing forward Jamal Coombs-McDaniel is the most likely player on Connecticut’s bench to make an impact.
Connecticut is extremely athletic and a very good defensive team but they don’t force many turnovers (17.9% opponent turnover rate). They play great eFG% defense, holding opponents to 42.2% eFG% and only 39% from two point range. Their field goal defense can obviously be attributed to being the best shotblocking team in the nation (20.9 Block%). Similar to last year’s team they also do a very good job keeping opponents off of the free throw line (Opp. FTA/FGA = 21.2%, 4th nationally).
The good news for Michigan is that Connecticut shouldn’t expose their newfound turnover problem. The bad news is that Michigan has been doing most of their scoring inside the arc – leaning on DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris. Sims has the tendency to clam up versus imposing defenders (8 points on 11 shots at UConn) and Harris’ wild driving into the lane will likely be neutralized by UConn’s length. It’s going to be absolutely critical for someone to get hot from outside…
Offensively, the Huskies are almost a polar-opposite of the Wolverines. They shoot only 19% of their shots from three point range (fewest in the country) and rely almost entirely on pounding the ball inside. There aren’t many glaring weaknesses on their offensive profile beyond their 66.8% free throw shooting. UConn does a good job of getting to the line (FTA/FGA = 44.6%) and crashing the offensive glass (36% OR%) while shooting 49.2% on their twos.
Michigan is in dire need of a signature win and Connecticut appears to fit the bill as a vulnerable top 25 team. That being said, it’s tough to find much to like about this match-up if you’re Michigan beyond the fact that you played well against them last year. Connecticut has a size advantage almost across the board and it will take a hell of an effort defensively and on the glass if Michigan wants to win this one.
Also: The game is a maize out and Michigan will be passing out 7000 “Rally Spinners”. Your guess is as good as mine as to what exactly a rally spinner is, hopefully they are maize colored. Wear maize, get there early, be loud.
well who doesnt like a good lil spinner . . .
Given thier size and propensity to pound the ball I’m very worried about foul trouble. Wehave such a short bench thayer can’t afford to get sims in foul trouble.
Rally Spinners + messing with their heads = UPSET!
Gibson we need you tomorrow, it’s time to have a good game. Think strong, aggressive. Wouldn’t hurt if Novak could hit at least three triples either.
So who is it going to be? Stu again, Novak a la Wisconsin/Minnesota last year, LLP a la @Minny last year, @PSU this year, Manny going off, or, my pick (drumroll please…) Matt VOOOOOOOGRICH. I think he’s gonna have a few threes and really befuddle Calhoun and the Huskies.
On a side note, make sure to protect your laptops tomorrow and keep them locked up at home. Price is off the team, but I wouldn’t put it past them.
i think michigan gets it done tomorrow in a must-have game…71-64.
Whats the ticket situation looking like ? anybody know for sure ?
Logic tells me that UM is going to get creamed. My heart hopes that the team comes out shooting on all 8 cylinders and sees the basket as a big ol’ monster truck tire.
Its official. Drew Crawford has to be Big Ten Player of the Week. Leading NW to back to back big wins. NW has to make the tournament, you can’t seriously tell me they don’t deserve it as much as some mediocre teams like Richmond or St. Mary’s.
It’s a little early to say “Northwestern has to make the tournament” isn’t it?
BIG game tomorrow, obviously. Gotta have this one to give a 11-7 conference record any weight.
In football news, good to see a Mike Hart sighting for the Colts tonight!
Jim Burr is officiating. I regret to inform you…
The worst thing about this game is the fact that Uconn’s been on an uncharacteristic losing streak, so they are going to be especially hungry for this one.
I like poster Mith’s optimism, with the prediction of an 11-7 conf record.
Lets Go, Boys!
AtmospherE in Crisler is great and you better believe it’ll stay that way if Michigan keeps hitting shots.
anthony wright actually earning his minutes before that last bumble
The offense looks much better today. I think the defense is fueling increased aggressiveness and confidence on the offense.
Where has this hustle been all year?
Ant Wright just tripped out of bounds. It was worth a good laugh.
We’re holding our own on the glass. Gotta keep this up!
Ball movement on offense fellas…keep it going.
You don’t want to get the mentality of that one guy at the Rec IM that hits two three-pointers in a row and thinks he’s on fire from downtown for the next ten possessions.
Now…can we play at this level for an entire game? The crowd is jacked, UConn is sloppy, it’s apparently Ant Wright’s birthday, Manny is not settling for jump shots, good defense, better than expected rebounding, controlling the pace of the game…
Jerome Dyson sat for 17 minutes or so but Michigan leads 31-23 at the half. Defensive intensity is there and despite foul trouble for Novak and Sims other people have stepped up. Wright hit a couple triples and Gibson has been huge on defense.
beilein never has a good last shot play called ever………that something that is very bothersome………..always a wasted possesion
32-23 at the half, Dylan.
Gibson has given UM some solid minutes.
Any word on Dyson? Hurt?
Dyson picked up his 2nd foul very early.
Well, we were up by 9 last Sunday, can we hold this one? UConn has yet to make a 3 in this game, are we prepared for when they do?
Also, take more advantage of UConn’s weak free throw shooting, but to do so you have to put someone other then Dyson and Walker on the free throw line.
My bad…I missed his 2nd foul. Thanks.
Here we go!!!
It’s amazing to see yet another second half collapse. Maybe it could be attributed to lack of depth (sad to say considering Belein’s had 2/3 years to recruit). I’d just say this team loses a great deal of defensive focus in the second half. Their cuts are not as well timed in the second and there is a lack of overall urgency.
Before you rip Michigans defensive intensity this half. Remember that Dyson played 3 minutes in the first. E avg 19/game
Great effort by the rest of the team so far. Now is the time for Manny and Sims to take over.
That would been a hell of a block in football.
Clutch X2
Wow, big time clutch free throws for Douglas and Novak. I’m so proud of Anthony Wright, too. This is quite possibly the best Michigan has played all season.
I’ve been saying that 11 Big Ten wins and a win vs. UConn could get us a bid. I still believe that. Get some rest, guys. Wisconsin is tough but not unbeatable!
If your team is ranked #15 in the country, you don’t want to be playing Michigan.
Wow, great win!! Loving it!
(a) Manny played like a leader for 40 minutes
(b) LLP played some excellent d today
(c) Sims had a pretty solid 2nd half especially on the boards
(d) Wright – no comment
(e) Rushed the court? Really?
Great win. But storming the court? That just makes us look desperate (okay, we are desperate, but still…we’re Michigan, so we need to pretend like it’s no big deal)
Rushing the court just took away from a big win…Maize Rage needs to address that for future games
great team effort. great win. hopefully this is what the team needed to play to their potential.
seemed like a great atmosphere – the crowd screaming airball at robinson was classic. not sure about rushing the court though…
I agree. Storming the court took away from the win. Can’t blame the fans for being excited, but Maize Rage needs to get that under control.
Act like you’ve been there before.
Wisconsin without Leuer is much different animal than with him. We need that game to get back in position for a tournament berth!
Go Blue! Solid win. Not worthy of storming the court, but a good win nonetheless. #15 teams this year = #4 teams last year…they shouldn’t even show up to play us.
Great “signature” win! Ironic that it came against #15 in the country……as we started the season out #15. They seemed to play with a sense of urgency today, especially more than UConn had. It’s great to have a game like that with the football recruits in the house also. I wonder if Horford and/or Zeigler were there? As far as storming the court…..yeah, I could have done without that too…but then again, the season has been a bit disappointing to this point so let them have some fun and storm it
Hopefully they can carry this momentum into the next few games……
time expires.
Lundquist – Well it was a signature win but I dont know that it justifies storming the court
Kellogg – It doesnt have to now days
Lundquist – Whatever
end coverage.
I’m going to agree with Kevin here. Let the kids have some fun. Would I have done it? no, but I’m not going to come down too hard on them.
So, I still don’t want to give up hope that this team can make a run at the tourney. I know it is a big longshot at this point still. But this UCONN win certainly helps. I figure we need to go 9-4 the rest of the way plus 1-2 wins in the BTT to have any shot at the tourney…is this about right?
I’m with Lundquist. We beat a team that was already perhaps falling out of the top 25 after back to back losses. It was a sloppy game and our chances of the NCAA are still non-existent. Have fun, celebrate the win, but storming the court was stupid in my opinion.
Amidst the almost depressing “atmosphere” that is Crisler Arena these days, I salute the student section. They make up 95% of the noise in the building while the rest of the fans just sit there and watch. Even with all the old farts sitting on their hands, the students made Crisler intimidating today and really gave this team a lift. Props to the students today, rushing the court or not.
Manny didn’t shoot the ball well, but his aggressiveness kept constant pressure on UConn. Plus, he grabbed some rebounds (8) and remained active on defense.
Great to see Novak, Douglas, Gibson, and Wright step up.
I can’t say much about storming the court because I stormed the kitchen. My pizza was done and I nearly tackled my pregnant wife in the process. That could’ve put a damper on a great day.
with 2500 student ticket holders (many 1st time ticket holders), it was kind of expected….my guess is many people saw the Duke game last year and wanted in. There were a good number of students who did not rush it, but the numbers make it tough…but on a positive note, Great win! intensity was awesome…LLP worked his butt off…and good for Anthony Wright, I thought he had earned some more 2nd half PT, but I guess Beilein stuck with Novak and it paid off downt the stretch!
Loving the victory today it was a must have to salvage the season. Thank You Anthony Wright for contributing, Novak for playing his ass off, Peedi for boarding and for Manny being Manny late in the game. Go Blue!
BlueinFlorida, do you spend much time in Crisler? Section 26 was on its feet, old fart, children, you name it. Not the people in the UConn gear, though.
Rushing the court was not cool. Save it for Sparty!!!
I’m in the Maize Rage and I regretfully had to rush the court, not because I wanted to but because I got pushed on. I didn’t think it was a big enough win to do so, but there are so many first-time ticket-holding bandwagoners that they all felt they had to. You’d be amazed at the lack of knowledge of the majority of the people in the student section. It’s very disappointing sometimes. Having said that, it’s a big win to get us back on the right foot.