Discussion: Strategy vs. IU

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

Okay, now that we've won the regular season outright...does this change your strategy vs. IU?

NCAA Tournament seeding is the only thing that is hurt by a loss and there isn't a huge difference beween a 2 and a 3 seed.

However, a chance to pay IU back from last year. A chance to beat Crean. And just the fact that these are 18-22 years olds and "how much rest do they really need?" are all valid points.

What are your thoughts? Discuss.

My thought, treat it like any other game...with one caveat. If you have ANYONE who's banged up. You sit him. But screw the "trying to avoid injury factor." You can always get hurt or injured so I don't let that change my thinking. However, for someone like Morgan who's a little banged up. I may lean on Horford for 28 minutes and Bielfeldt for 12.

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Mr. Yost

March 5th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^

You don't burn a redshrit for 5-10 minutes in a game that doesn't really matter.

Max B can give you that. Hell, you can play Irvin, GRIII, Stauskas, Levert and Walton for a few minutes if you had to. Just run 1-3-1, you have the PG protecting the basket anyway.

TwoFiveAD

March 5th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^

JB will approach this game like he has every game before this.   There is a routine the team is in right now, he will not stray from it.

You never want to instill in your players that a game doesn't matter, especially in March.  I expect a 10pt victory and it's business as usual out there.

 

ericcarbs

March 5th, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^

I hope they try to win. I would love to see Michigan beat every Big Ten team in the regular season. But if they play Dakich and the walk-ons and give alot of rest to the starters, I would understand.

mGrowOld

March 5th, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^

The objective should be to try and win by one hundred milliion-jillion-bazallion points.  Here's why:

 

1. Try and get on the two line for seeding

2. Destroy any tiny, remaining bubble hope Indiana might be clinging to

3. Make Tom Crean cry

ish

March 5th, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^

you play to win.  no question.  it changes ncaa tournament seeding and we won't have another game for 5 days.  plenty of time to rest.

superstringer

March 5th, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^

Might play IU in the very next game we play, in Indy.  Plus, its payback time.  I would have to think the entire crew, minus Morgan, will be out there playing hard.

FreddieMercuryHayes

March 5th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^

Don't really know the particulars of a good offensive strategy for this game, but whatever it is, someone should just walk over and punch Crean in the nose. If everyone wants to make him cry, just go for it.

youn2948

March 5th, 2014 at 11:02 AM ^

Assuming McGary is back... would love to see him plow over Izzo with a giant grin when he's employing his 6th man routing.  I wouldn't want Izzo seriously injured as that's tasteless but some soreness, a T and possibly his head exploding would suffice.

 

y u on court IZZO? doh!

hennehartlong

March 5th, 2014 at 11:16 AM ^

I would think that we still have a slight shot at a two seed. If we beat the pants off of IU and do well in the B1G tourney (with some help from Syracuse tanking some more) the selection committee might take notice. The CBS RPI has us higher than Syracuse, but the ESPN one doesn't.

Pit2047

March 5th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^

This is J Mo's last game in AA, win it for him first and foremost.  Secondly, it's Indiana, none of the underclassmen have ever beaten them and there are what 4/5 guys from that state on this roster?  Yeah, they wanna beat them.  Third, its Tom Crean, I want his tears.  At lastly 

gwkrlghl

March 5th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^

It may be the difference between a 2 and 3 seed which may be the difference between Milwaukee/Buffalo and Orlando (close vs far)

Plus, you can make Tom Crean angry and probably eliminate any last glimmering hope of Indiana making the tournament as a bubble team.

I hope we do to them what we did to Illinois last night