Preview: Purdue
The Essentials
WHAT | Michigan v. #14/13 Purdue |
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WHERE | Ann Arbor, MI |
WHEN |
2PM EST December 28th, 2010 |
THE LINE | Michigan +3.5 |
TELEVISION | Big Ten Network |
The Story
Michigan has quietly surprised early in the year, running up a 10-2 record, including a couple solid wins over the likes of Clemson, Harvard, and Oakland. They've already shifted expectations, but knocking off a ranked team in-conference would finally announce to the nation that they intend to seriously compete for an NCAA Tournament bid well into the new year.
Of course, it won't be easy, as Purdue brings a talented squad into Crisler Arena, including Ja'Juan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, who passed up the chance to leave school early for the NBA last season, to reach new heights in Boilermaker uniforms. Though the Boilers will still be without sophomore sharpshooter Jon Hart, out another week or so with injury, they have the talent and experience advantages over the Wolverines.
Aside from Johnson (similar to Oakland's Keith Benson, but probably better) and Moore, the diminutive Lewis Jackson plays a key role for the Boilers, as the 5-9 junior is just outside the national top-100 in assist rate, and plays the better half of available minutes. DJ Byrd and Ryne Smith are other effective offensive players, but with only so many possessions to go around, they get a lot of playing time but don't hog the ball.
Tempo-Free Breakdown
With a few games under each team's belt, it's finally reasonable to look at the stats. If you need an explanation of the stats, check out Ken Pomeroy.
Michigan v. Purdue: National Ranks | |||
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Category | Michigan Rank | Purdue Rank | Advantage |
Mich eFG% v. PU Def eFG% | 100 | 11 | P |
Mich Def eFG% v. PU eFG% | 32 | 94 | M |
Mich TO% v. PU Def TO% | 25 | 13 | P |
Mich Def TO% v. PU TO% | 188 | 26 | PP |
Mich OReb% v. PU DReb% | 210 | 80 | PP |
Mich DReb% v. PU OReb% | 21 | 121 | MM |
Mich FTR v. PU Opp FTR | 315 | 71 | PPP |
Mich Opp FTR v. PU FTR | 9 | 227 | MMM |
Mich AdjO v. PU AdjD | 94 | 3 | P |
Mich AdjD v. PU AdjO | 36 | 49 | M |
Difference of more than 10 places in the national rankings get a 1-letter advantage, more than 100 gets a 2-letter advantage, more than 200 gets a 3-letter advantage, etc.
This is as close as Michigan's come since I've been writing the mgopreviews to matching up toe-to-toe with a really good opponent. The emergence of a couple pretty good defensive rebounders in Jon Horford and Jordan Morgan have wiped out last year's consistent advantages for the opponent on both ends of the boards. Michigan's switch to almost-excusive man defense hasn't hurt, and though it means the Wolverines don't force tons of turnovers anymore, opponents are having a tough time making their shots.
The Boilermakers are pretty good in the turnover department, elite at both holding on to the ball and forcing the opponents to turn it over themselves. The emergence of Darius Morris as an elite point guard (90 assists and just 30 turnovers this season) will hopefully mean that the Wolverines can change that trend.
Thus far this season the teams' numbers have been racked up against approximately equal competition. Both beat Oakland at home, took care of a solid ACC team on the road (though Purdue needed overtime to take down Virginia Tech), and have another top-100 win in their own gym, to go along with a smattering of lesser opposition that they've easily dispatched. The only true difference is the lack of two good opponents for Purdue in their Feast Week tournament, as they lost to Richmond, whereas Michigan took home a loss to a very good Syracuse team and a merely decent UTEP squad.
Predictions
Crisler Arena hasn't been a house of horrors for any Big Ten team, and since Purdue has been solid-to-excellent for the past several years, they won't be afraid of coming into the House that Cazzie Built. If Michigan wants to win, it's execution and effort, not intimidation, that will do the trick.
I have a good feeling about this game, as the teams' resumes really aren't that different at this point in the year, except for the Wolverines' defeat to UTEP (for which they don't receive a mulligan, but Purdue didn't have to face as good of opposition on back-to-back nights as the Wolverines). However, Purdue has the air of a team that's been there before, whereas the Wolverines still have some growing up to do in order to make it to the tournament on any given year, much less four straight as the Boilers have done.
Because this Wolverines team is so young, I think a mistake here and a mistake there is enough to doom them against Purdue. Darius Morris picks up another double-double, as does Zack Novak, but Purdue pulls away at the end, winning 67-58.
Elsewhere
Hammer and Rails previews the game. UMHoops goes into more depth on Purdue's team.
December 28th, 2010 at 9:35 AM ^
I am appalled at the 2 pm start, believe it or not some people are actually working this week. I hope crisler is not empty.
December 28th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
...by Michigan in case the football team got an Insight Bowl nod.
It turns out the building will likely be very full as it was also reported that only single seat tickets were available yesterday.
December 28th, 2010 at 10:00 AM ^
If we had ended up in the Insight Bowl like many thought, you'd be even more upset that hoops/bball were playing at the same time. I think they kind of had to do this just in case of a potential bowl game. Me, I'm leaving the office early today for an "appointment".
EDIT: Looks like Shoe got to it before me. My bad.
December 28th, 2010 at 9:42 AM ^
...to Michigan's abilitly to deal with Purdue's pressure defense which has been stifling all year long. According to Dylan over at UMHoops.com, Purdue has done extraordinarily well at causing turnovers, something Michigan has done extraordinarly well in avoiding.
His analysis:
The first step to beating Purdue’s defense is valuing the basketball. Michigan has been great in the turnover department under John Beilein and they have been solid once again this year. On the other hand, Purdue is the best defense that Michigan has faced and it’s hard to forget the UTEP debacle where Michigan was barely able to get into their offensive sets versus the Miner’s pressure defense. Dealing with the pressure is one thing but hitting some shots is another. When Michigan’s offense was successful versus the Boilers it was because DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris had career nights.To be successful this year, Michigan is going to have to run their offense beyond just isolation plays. Hitting a few early threes would go a long ways toward opening the offense up for backdoor cuts and more flexibility.
December 28th, 2010 at 1:22 PM ^
Have some confidence! M 71-65
December 28th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
I think Ja'Juan Johnson is one of the best players in the country. I think if he is forced to take more mid range jump shots that will help our chances but he is a stud. The start time of this game is terrible.
December 28th, 2010 at 2:53 PM ^
over the last year or so, when one of the remaining stars is taken out of the offense, the rest of the team stands around and looks at the other, which I think is the source of the incessant comments about Purdue needing a third scoring option.
Also, the Boilers tend to have difficulty rebounding. Hummel's size and skill can't be replaced in the frontcourt. For Michigan to win, they'll want to take advantage of that.
December 28th, 2010 at 1:26 PM ^
Center court seats, too. Maybe they belong to someone who had to work? Well, if that be the case, then a big THANKS!!!
Time to head out around the corner to Crysler.
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