Team 99

By The Numbers: Michigan 96, Mantova 76

Michigan was finally challenged in its final game in Italy, but eventually prevailed with a comfortable win over the Mantova Stings. U-M released a box score (compiled by hand) and since the game wasn’t streamed, here are some statistical observations and notes from the box score including our traditional Four Factors graph.

Michigan pulled away down the stretch after allowing Mantova to hang around for much of the first half. It appears that Michigan’s problems were largely on defense in the first half, before it was able to tighten down and lock up in the fourth quarter.

Mantova scored 52 points in the second and third quarters combined, but Michigan held the Stings to just 10 points in the fourth. Judging by the box score, that might have been because Mantova finally went cold from long range after attempting 46% of its shots from long range.

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Box ScoreClick to view the full Michigan box score

Michigan’s offense coasted through another game despite the longer three-point line and shorter shot clock in FIBA play. The Wolverines shot 58% on twos and 42% on threes for a 59.7 eFG%, continuing their impressive offensive week in Italy. Uncharacteristically, Michigan was also dominant on the glass. Michigan rebounded nearly half of its missed shots, while only allowing the Stings to rebound a quarter of their misses.

Only 28% of Michigan’s field goal attempts were threes which is a good sign that Michigan is attacking the basket – over 40% of Michigan’s FGA have been from 3-point range in 6 of the last 7 seasons – but is also a sign that there were a lot of easy baskets.

RELATEDQuotes, photos and clips from Michigan’s win over Mantova

Defensively, Michigan held Mantova below a point per possession, but only barely. The up-and-down playground nature of these games probably contributed to it, but on the whole Michigan’s defense has plenty of room for improvement after the overseas trip. Michigan’s defense was very active in the turnover department. The Wolverines had 12 steals which certainly led to a number of transition points. While both Mantova and Michigan had 13 turnovers, only two of Michigan’s turnovers were live ball steals.

Player Statistical Observations:

  • Zak Irvin: Irvin had yet another monster game and was lethally efficient (7-of-11, 1-2 3pt) from the floor. He also hauled down 10 rebounds in the win, something he probably never would have done last year against any competition. The competition is almost impossible to judge, but it’s safe to say no one had a better week in Italy than Zak Irvin.
  • Derrick Walton: Michigan’s other sophomore didn’t answer quite as many questions this week, but he finished the week on a high note. Walton scored 14 points and also grabbed five rebounds, three assists and three steals in 20 minutes while knocking down 2-of-3 three-point attempts. “The key for me was just being aggressive and knowing that the team needed me tonight,” Walton said after the win. “I came out and hit shots I’d be expected to hit during the season, so the early start was important.”
  • Caris LeVert: LeVert wasn’t his most efficient self, but finished with 15 points on 5-of-13 (1-4 3pt) shooting and he rounded out the stat sheet nicely with 5 assists, three steals and four rebounds. On the negative side of the ledger, he gave the ball away four times. Considering he was off his feet for almost the entire summer, there’s nothing to worry about with LeVert after his very solid and productive week in Italy. He also appears more than ready to take on a lead playmaking role, leading Michigan in assists in Italy.
  • Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman: MAAR logged 30 minutes on the box score and also reached double figures with 10 points. He was 4-of-6 inside the arc, but 0-of-2 from long range while splitting four free throw attempts. He did a great job all week of getting to the free throw line and seemed to backup his reputation as the most likely backup combo guard on the roster.
  • Aubrey Dawkins: Dawkins knocked down both three-point attempts and scored 10 points on four field goal attempts in 13 minutes. Dawkins seems to be the prototypical backup for both Irvin and Chatman and his athleticism off the bench is obvious, but his consistency from three-point range will be critical.
  • Ricky Doyle: Doyle grabbed his second double-double of the week with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes. Doyle was Michigan’s number three scorer in points per game during the trip and really proved that he has the potential to be a viable option in the front court.
  • Mark Donnal: Tweets from the game indicated that Donnal struggled with foul trouble a bit (both Donnal and Doyle finished with four fouls each), but he still produced. Donnal was 3-of-4 from the floor and also grabbed five rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes.
  • Spike Albrecht: The box score says Albrecht only played for ten minutes, but he made them count. Spike was 4-of-5 from the floor, knocking down two threes and handing out two assists for an impressive 10 point outing.
  • Kameron Chatman: Chatman had his worst shooting day of the week at 1-of-6 from the floor and also turned the ball over twice. He did grab six rebounds and an assist to go along with his two point performance.
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