(Gameday OT) Quick thoughts on Louisville on Tuesday
As a distraction to pre-game nerves, I watched a good deal of the Louisville / W. Kentucky game today. I was surprised to see Coach Martelli's three-time captain at St. Joseph Lemarr Kimble has not yet taken the starter spot at point guard but does get quite a few minutes. I am sure it will be strange for Martelli to go up against one of his strongest supporters on the team and someone who decided to grad transfer rather than play for the new St. Joe coach this year.
I also am struck by the similarities between Louisville star Jordan Nwora and Isaiah Livers. At least the Livers we watched in the Bahamas tournament. Both are currently shooting at an unreal percentage behind the arc (Nwora 51.6% and Livers 51.2%) and have similar athletic skills and size. Nwora often sets up as a point forward at the top of the key and probably is more of a distributor than Livers (though his 1.2 assists/game is just barely above Liver's 1.1 per game.
In the end, I think the winner on Tuesday is the team that keeps up their hot 3 point shooting. Both teams are currently shooting precisely 42.4% behind the arc as a team so far this year. Something will give on Tuesday.
November 29th, 2019 at 9:10 PM ^
Win that game and we have a legit shot at being #1 in the country, which is absolutely batshit bonkers
November 29th, 2019 at 9:32 PM ^
Indeed. It's a long season but the early signs are really encouraging.
November 29th, 2019 at 10:11 PM ^
Win that game and I don’t see any way we’re not #1. Three wins over 6, 8, and 1 in three consecutive games spaced out over five days.
November 29th, 2019 at 9:17 PM ^
The YUM Center will be alive and well it’s not an easy place to play. I’ll be attending.
November 29th, 2019 at 9:19 PM ^
Has any school ever taken down #1 in both football and basketball in the same week?
November 29th, 2019 at 10:01 PM ^
Next stop is to BE #1 in both football and basketball.
November 29th, 2019 at 10:41 PM ^
Welp, if we lose tomorrow and hoops loses Tuesday, OSU could pull it off in short order.
November 30th, 2019 at 8:10 AM ^
No way in hell is OSU No.1 in hoops. An overrated 'Nova team notwithstanding, they've played absolutely nobody. And I look for them to hand the ACC a point in the "challenge" at UNC Tuesday.
Yep, that UNC team...the Wolverine victim.
We should be ranked higher than they (OSU), as well as higher than that team up the road. Two losses?
Then again, pollsters vote based on pre-season expectations, reputations, and their own egos (so as to sugarcoat the fallacies of their pre-season voting)...not on actual performance. If the latter counted to the degree it should, we'd be top 3 come Monday.
November 30th, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
I feel like Florida back around 06-07 must have done this?
November 29th, 2019 at 9:21 PM ^
Louisville will be very, very tough in their place. UM is already legit. Beating Louisville is icing on the cake. Season will not be dampened if they lose to a tough team in their place. However, I hope we kick their ass.
November 29th, 2019 at 10:33 PM ^
It's a very winnable game. Louisville has played nobody.
November 29th, 2019 at 9:34 PM ^
Keep the starting five out of foul trouble. Play good D. Box out. Distribute. Play smart. This team is good enough to give Louisville a run for their money.
November 29th, 2019 at 11:20 PM ^
That is the biggest x-factor. How do the refs call Teske? A couple touch fouls could go a long way in determining the games outcome.
November 29th, 2019 at 9:42 PM ^
It comes down to who has defensive strategy.
November 29th, 2019 at 9:43 PM ^
It's the night before the Ohio State football game, and there are more threads on basketball than on football.
Seems like that Juwan Howard guy has made an impact.
November 29th, 2019 at 9:47 PM ^
Gotta have some way to quell the butterflies......... storms comin. 
November 29th, 2019 at 10:34 PM ^
Maybe. What are the jersey sales in Ohio like though?
November 30th, 2019 at 6:09 AM ^
Don't know, but I hear they're pretty good in the Bahamas
November 29th, 2019 at 9:51 PM ^
Honestly, it was probably a good thing that this team has not been ranked. In this, they have played loose and free. Losing Iggy and Matthews, this team needed to find scorers and identities/roles. While some are still evolving, Zavier, Teske and Livers have shined. This team may realize its potential when Wagner finds his niche on this team. Oh ... and Eli's coming!!
November 29th, 2019 at 10:05 PM ^
Captain Obvious time, but Michigan can’t hit the teens in turnovers. Can’t give extra possessions via turnovers and offensive rebounds. Simpson is great, but it does look like he’s taking some liberties with the ball that he didn’t when Beilein was here. Need DDJ to continue to come in confident and Castleton to play strong. Wagner’s confidence needs to continue to grow.
November 29th, 2019 at 11:49 PM ^
After his 8 turnovers against ISU, Simpson had 3 total in the last two games.
November 29th, 2019 at 10:07 PM ^
Last year I had a bio exam during the Villanova game and couldn't watch
On Tuesday I happen to have an orgo exam at the same time as the Louisville game...
Basically what I'm saying is, you're welcome
November 29th, 2019 at 10:50 PM ^
Thank you for your contribution.
November 29th, 2019 at 10:38 PM ^
It has certainly been fun to watch thus far. If UM can start to take care of the basketball a little better they have a chance for another great year. That said, I'll take extra turnovers to watch this style of basketball. Uptempo, athletic, tough...enjoyable.
November 29th, 2019 at 11:06 PM ^
Now even the Creighton win is looking pretty good. They are beating Texas Tech in the Las Vegas tourney
November 29th, 2019 at 11:54 PM ^
We could be #1 if we beat Louisville and Iowa at home on Friday. If we play how we’ve been playing we should beat Louisville.
November 30th, 2019 at 5:22 AM ^
How are their bigs? Do they match up against well against Teske?
November 30th, 2019 at 10:08 AM ^
Re: the OP's point about 3PT%, fair enough but very interesting to note that Gonzaga shot 50% from 3 yesterday and we still destroyed them (caveat: low volume 6 of 12).