Not often you win when your shoot <50% from the line on 20+ attempts
Who do we line up better against without Eli Brooks, MSU or MD?
Big Life, Big Stage, Big Ten.
MD. MSU would have a similar plan to Sunday. Put Henry on Wagner to neutralize him, big body Bingham on Dickinson. Find the mismatch on whoever Smith is guarding and they should be fine. Without Brooks Michigan will only go 7 deep, might force to play Zeb a bit but really only 6 deep with Davis playing.
Not really sure you can say that Rocket Watts having a career night every time out is a consistent gameplan. Thereās also a universe where Michigan makes some shots.
Fred Hoiberg must love Life Savers mints. Nebraska had a giant bag of them behind him on the bench. (Wintergreen, of course.)
I am just a little bearish on Michigan right now they havenāt really put together 2 straight good halves in some time. The last game where they did that was probably OSU, on the offensive end at least. Watts is still a talented a player and recruited highly for a reason, heās had a poor season to date. That doesnāt mean he canāt play the game and if you look at his shots he was actually stepping into them instead of fading away, probably a product of the Smith lack of size.
I thought the people who voted for MLBs Gold Glove Awards were clueless about defenseā¦they canāt hold a candle to the B10.
Watts played well and obviously, he has ability. Iām just saying heās not going to shoot 60-70% on 16-footers consistently.
He played well in that moment, I donāt think it is symbolic of some great mismatch if these two teams ply again.
Also, Michigan dominated Iowa and Indiana after the OSU game.
I thought the 1st halves of Iowa and Indiana were rock fights to an extent. They got going in the 2nd half but I was happy they were playing Indiana at that time because they were swirling the drain. Like I said I am just bearish on this team they donāt look as crisp, connected, defense has been ok but not as aggressive imo. They still have time to get it together but a long run in the BTT would be in their best interests.
No college team avoids rock fights very often if thatās the definition.
While Watts may not have a night like that again, no doubt MSU figured some things out and would be confident against us. I also think Eli being out is a big advantage for them. Not only would Brooks have made life miserable for Watts, but not having him helps MSU matchup on D.
Langford isnāt a great fit for chasing Brooks around but heās fine for guarding Chaundee as a spot up shooter. They can keep Watts on Smith and have Henry take Livers or Wagner.
Brooks just makes everyone else for into their natural roles.
Teddy Buckets did Nebrasketball a favor by leaving apparently
Wasnāt trying to say that missing Eli doesnāt hurt. It would be an issue against Maryland or anyone Michigan plays. Just speaking to the MSU matchup.
I donāt think MSU figured anything out offensively. Maybe defensively though
Yeah, Iām fine with those games where Juwan has downloaded the other teamās game plan and we kill them in the second half. A certain amount of tentative play in the first half just may come with the territory, most games, against a lot of decent teams. Iād kind of like us to play MSU in the rubber match, Eli or no Eli.
We missed plenty of shots, but I thought they did a good job of making Hunter start from spots he was less comfortable and they shut off Livers with Henry for much of the game.
No kiddingā¦pretty striking considering he was such a big part of their offense.
Similar to Zavier going 4-7 on 3s at Crisler v MSU last year. Izzo didnāt gameplan for that either. Make or miss league. Rocket was feeling good.