One thing I can’t remember if we touched on during the pod is when Dickinson (or Diabate) actually get the ball in the post and how Villanova would defend them.
Villanova doesn’t really double. They mostly dig or play straight up on the catch — even against Purdue. Definitely a massive opportunity for Dickinson to score if Michigan is able to feed the post effectively against the fronts.
So one wrinkle I wonder about is what Villanova will do to defend ball screens when Collins is the ball handler. The scouting report screams to go under the screen, but Eric notes that Nova has switched every single ball screen since Midnight Madness. It seems like switching in that situation would create more of an advantage for the offense than the defense, but do you go away from your base defense because of the opposition’s second-string point guard?
I think they’d switch it. They’d be ok if Frankie was challenging them 1 on 1 I’d guess
They’d be ok if Frankie was challenging them 1 on 1 I’d guess
Sounds like their strategy is to force everybody to beat them 1 on 1; Collins has a better chance of beating his defender to the hoop than any other Michigan player. Of course, I assume whoever switches on to Frankie will sag back into the lane, but might there be a way to move fast and exploit the matchup?
… meanwhile their PG is on Hunter? Roll to the rim big man!
I watched the OSU game and Villanova was flopping like crazy. I can’t imagine they’ll make it easy for us and will dive on to the floor every second.
Yeah, I know Villanova switches everything etc. but it is really risky to switch against Michigan with Hunter.
Nova Podcast (pick up preview of VU-UM at 40:00 minute mark): S05E23: How sweet it continues to be! - YouTube
Had to stop watching when they immediately said that Michigan has Martelli on the bench who’s the tactician
They don’t call it Vanillanova for no reason!
Currently seeing o/u for hunter at 18.5 points for the game and I’m liking the over there
I’m just starting the episode but omg, it was totally a foul on Terry. He throws his right leg into the ball handler to drive him back over the timeline. That’s not beating someone to the spot with your feet, that’s fouling someone. That’s just not a legal form of defending.
Seems a frequent high post throwing it into the low post over the top of the shorter Villanova could create easy buckets for Dickinson and or Diabate. In addition open 3 point shots could be created for Dickinson if he’s in the high post. Diabate needs to dunk or pass the ball, I would like to see more alley-oop passes to him.
Hearing the stat about Kobe’s close 2P% defense is jarring. I get he was a skinny freshman on low volume but bad defense, shooting and no real playmaking are all really disappointing. Frankie’s stock is pointing up at least but Kobe as the starting 2 next year could be be really bad.
It’s not “his defense” fwiw… Michigan’s defense while he’s on the court. Just to clarify if I didn’t make that clear.
No that’s fair, a good clarification. I’m just combining that stat with the fact that he looked bad defensively for a good chunk of the season.
As always, great schematic breakdown. I would agree that each team will have offensive opportunities. Michigan has not had issues getting what they want on offense as long as they don’t turn it over. The 3 point shooting is gonna be a big factor for both teams. Michigan has better talent, so keep it close and let the talent win it late. Give me Arizona and let’s see the season come full circle even though UM prolly has a better chance to beat Houston. Go blue!