They had a good non conference performance. Wins at Cincy and at Creighton. Only lost to Syracuse. I’m not surprised they’re struggling as their whole offense is K Wesson and Jackson. Nobody else can do much against quality teams. Holtmann is a very good coach IMO. They’ll struggle again next year but start taking off after that IMO.
I know they have Carton coming in but what’s the rest of their recruiting like? Seems like they’re full of chuckers but no real shooters.
If Nick Ward broke his hand… that’s a big loss.
At the bare minimum it looks to be something that lingers. I’d be surprised if Izzo put him in game with possible broken bone. Hopefully it’s no worse than a sprain.
I don’t think you really know with a hand do you? Would assume they would have to do X-rays, etc.
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Their other two recruits are also top 50 players. So they’re going to start getting some talent influx. But I don’t think it’ll be enough nor experienced enough until Kaleb Wesson’s senior year.
Michigan’s probably particularly suited to guarding it. Have Matthews guard Goins. Switch the 1-4 indiscriminately.
Are there any “ good shooting B1G teams?”
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Michigan will switch 1-4 against anyone. Not sure if you use Matthews there or on McQuaid.
Michigan State and Iowa, IMO.
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Neither MSU or M as good as last year at this point, but still a very tough matchup for MSU. Michigan will be geared to take away transition and 3’s better than most any team. I’m not sure MSU is equipped to deal effectively with it. MSU’s best scenario is foul trouble
If he broke his hand…is the assumption that he is out multiple weeks?
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That sounds about right. Very painful but minimal risk of further damage by trying to play through pain.
@umhoops Just saw your most recent tweet. I think the Big Ten gets at least seven teams in the tournament, but the danger of six is there. Torvik has both Minnesota and Ohio State going 19-12 and 9-11 in conference. If either of them go .500 and win at least one game in the BTT, they’re in. The bubble is also just so weak this season, and that’s saying something with last season.
The problem, though, is that metrics almost universally favor OSU, who I think has a weak resume just giving it an eye test. I do think four regular season Big Ten wins gets them in though fairly securely. Additionally, if Minnesota beats those that they should (Rutgers and Northwestern on the road, easier said than done) and wins a second round BTT game, they will be in also by virtue of no bad losses, but probably as just an 11 seed.
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Wonder what kind of impact it’ll have on Ward for staying or going pro.
As for this season, I can’t see them having a fun March if Ward can’t come back. Puts even more pressure on Winston.
I am not a doctor nor do I have the medical care of a high major Division 1 athletes… but I did fracture my hand (fifth metacarpal) last March. I couldn’t hold a firm fist for 4-5 weeks and didn’t resume physical activity for 7-8.
My fracture was a bit more severe than a hairline, although I did not need surgery to re-position the bone.
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