Pete from the Purdue Basketball Blog agreed to answer some questions about Purdue’s season and their upcoming match-up with Michigan. You can find my answers to his questions here.
From my point of view, one of Purdue’s biggest problems has been their lack of quality point guard play. Has this been a problem? What is the latest on Lewis Jackson and what is Purdue doing to make up for their lack of a true point guard?
6’5 freshman Kelsey Barlow recently replaced senior Keaton Grant at point and had a solid game (12 pts, an assist and 2 TO’s). Barlow should do an adequate job while Lewjack recovers. To be completely honest he reminds me a lot of Manny Harris as his size creates mismatches against other PG’s. He’s not quite pulling the triple doubles like Harris yet though, haha. Unfortunately, TO’s are the risk when starting a freshmen at PG.
Grant can still help out at point. Despite losing the starting spot, he’s still an all-around good player capable of doing a lot of thing good (but nothing great). He’s more of a shooting guard that takes the ball up. Behind them is former walk-on Mark Wohlford. He can provide 6-8 minutes of efficient basketball. Between the three of them, the point guard position is average. Obviously we are anxious for Lewjack to return, but it’s not our #1 concern among our other issues the team is facing.
Lewjack is still in recovery mode and there’s been speculation that he might be available in early February. But obviously nobody knows this early how long it will take… People have tossed around the word red-shirt, but if he is made available the day before the NCAA tournament, I’d put money on him playing.
Continue reading ‘Chatting with the Enemy: Purdue’
Days after losing their leading scorer, freshman Maurice Creek, Indiana rallied and knocked off Michigan, 71-65. The difference in the first match-up was Indiana’s ability to get to the line. Michigan committed several ticky tack fouls and Indiana posted an impressive free throw rate of 59%, the worst Michigan has given up all year.
In the first match-up, Sims and Harris were underwhelming combining for 25 points on 9 of 23 shooting and pulling down only 4 rebounds. Verdell Jones, Christian Watford, and Devan Dumes provided the bulk of the scoring for the Hoosiers but it was Jeremiah Rivers’ scoop layup in traffic that put the game out of reach.
Michigan looks to get back on the winning track after last weekend’s disappointing collapse versus Northwestern. A home win over Indiana is a must for just about any team in the conference and Michigan is no different.
Through 4 games of the 5 game stretch that many deemed must wins, Michigan is only 2-2. One thing is certain, after tonight it doesn’t get any easier. Michigan hosts UConn and then heads to Wisconsin and Purdue before the Spartans come to town on January 26th.
Continue reading ‘Game 16: Indiana at Michigan Preview’
As most of you know, Evan Smotrycz has been blogging throughout his final season at New Hampton prep. You can find his old entries here: #1, #2. Here’s the latest from Smotrycz, recapping the Christmas break and what lays ahead for New Hampton.
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Over Christmas break we had a tournament in Philadelphia. We ended up winning all 3 games pretty easily and took a championship trophy back to New Hampton. It’s not often that a player gets to play in a championship game at any level, so when the opportunity came about I was excited and ultimately glad we ended up winning. That ended the first part of the season on a high note (9-3).
Last week was our first week back from school we ended up splitting the two games we had and currently sit at 10-4. I pulled my calf in an earlier practice and it hasn’t allowed me to play the way i want to. I’m using this week to rest it because this will be the last opportunity to do so. From here on out the amount of game really picks up. We will either have the games in the week, or two followed by back to back games the next week. It won’t be easy but it will be fun, as long as we’re winning.
I have been watching a lot of Michigan games this year and definitely can see myself fitting in with what they are trying to do both offensively and defensively. As for the exact role I would fill I am unsure. I would envision myself setting and coming off screens on the perimeter and creating within coach’s offensive scheme. I am working hard in the weight room so I will be ready to defend Big 10 forwards and rebound hard on both ends. In reality I don’t know what the coaching staff has planned for me. I am just working hard now so when I get there it will be that much easier to do whatever they want me to do.
Basics
Who: Michigan (7-6) at Penn State (8-6)
Where: Bryce Jordan Center, State College, PA
When: Jan. 7th, 7 PM EST
TV: ESPN2
Radio: MGoBlue, WWJ 950 AM/WTKA 1050 AM
Line: Penn State by 2
Stats: Live TFS
Opposition Blog: Battle Does it Again
Pomeroy Profile |
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Michigan’s game at Penn State last year was as close as that team came to hitting rock bottom. The blowout loss capped a three game losing streak in the midst of a terrible January stretch that saw Michigan start the Big Ten season 4-6. Michigan allowed Penn State to shoot an effective field goal percentage of 67% in what could only be described as a pathetic performance. To put that number in perspective, the worst eFG% that Michigan’s suspect defense has allowed an opponent to shoot this year is 58%.
The good news for Michigan is that Penn State is in rebuilding mode. Jamelle Cornley, Stanley Pringle, and Danny Morrissey have moved on and their replacements aren’t nearly as good. David Jackson, Jeff Brooks, Andrew Jones III, and Chris Babb round out the starting lineup around junior star Talor Battle.
Continue reading ‘Game 14: Michigan at Penn State Preview’
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