Getting To Know The Opposition - Nate Wolters

He does have a pretty shot. I would like to think that just having Trey Burke guarding him would knock down his shot percentage.

that they are not very good at rebounding...

Let's hope Burke's quickness can get penetration against his size. This is definitely an exciting matchup to see.

Reading around on Wolters I see him most often described as crafty, not quick, a good finisher and willing passer out of the paint who can use his dribble to create space.  He lacks lateral quickness on the defensive end, gives a cushion to his man to try to compensate and his good using help defense.

It doesn't sound as if he's a threat to blow by Burke but he has 4" on him.  

With a better jumper sounds about right.

i am cautiously confident that we can handle this team.

i like luke winn's analysis of it on SI.com

 

"Upset I Don't Like: No. 13 South Dakota State over No. 4 Michigan. Nate Wolters is a cult hero -- I wrote an ode to his brilliance in November -- and Wolters vs. Trey Burke should be quite the show. But Burke was shut down last year by a defensive-minded mid-major star (Ohio's D.J. Cooper), and Wolters is far from a lockdown guy. Nor is his team. The Jackrabbits have the fourth-worst defense in the entire bracket, which doesn't bode well for their ability to hold the Wolverines' high-powered offense in check. A fun game to watch, no doubt, but it won't be an upset."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-college-basketball-mens-tournament/ne…

He scored 34 at Washington last year while leading his team to a blowout win. He's very skilled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XYRK61RfHo 

Levert will get the call to guard Wolters I'm sure.

Spike will be needed to help out on VCU's press.

 

Burke will have to be his usualy self and carry the offense but these to frosh and their play will go a long way to determining UM's chances. Not looking forward to a VCU matchup.

This is a team that, had we played at the beginning of the year, we would have beat by 20-30. It's a perfect matchup for us, and is a great draw for us to channel our preconference dominance. So yeah, let's go blue

If Michigan loses in the first weekend I will eat my hat.  South Dakota State could be THE most athletically limited team in the tourney.  Poor man's Arkansas doesn't exactly scare me either.  After playing a full B1G schedule, I do not think Michigan will believe how easy it is to score on these guys.  I'm looking for something in the range of a 90-60 win.  Maybe 75-60 over VCU/Akron.

They play 7 guys and suck at defense.  Guard the 3, box out, and then run them into submission.  We may hang a hundy on these guys.

Looking over the statistics and some film, South Dakota State honestly reminds me quite a bit of Michigan--a "poor-man's" Michigan if you will.  Here are the similarities:

STRENGTHS:

- Strong PG Play - led by arguably the 2 best PG in the country and All-Americans; both can shoot, both can penetrate, both can find the open man

- Efficient Offense - neither team plays a ton of possessions (could partially be to average rebounding as well), but are very efficient

- Low Turnovers - both teams take care of the ball

- Guard/Perimeter Play - both teams are perimeter-oriented (all good teams are in my mind) and can shoot

 

WEAKNESSES:

- Defense - both are average or below average; neither team fouls very much or forces many turnovers; lack of aggression/intensity on defensive end allows for easy looks/baskets

- Rebounding - both are average or below average; South Dakota State is small and not really athletic; Michigan's issues seem to be with physicality

 

What I really like about this matchup for Michigan is that Michigan is better than South Dakota State in each of those areas, against MUCH tougher competition. Michigan has a better PG, is more efficient offensively, lower turnovers, better wings, better defense, and better rebounding. Not only that, but the game is being played in Michigan's back yard, and while I don't think playing in Auburn Hills should be considered "home court" (nothing compares to playing on your actual home court), it is a definite advantage.

 

I am excited for the Burke-Wolters matchup. Wolters should be able to get shots over Burke, but shouldn't be able to get by him without a ball screen, whereas Burke should have his way in the lane against South Dakota State. I would play LeVert in heavy doses on Thursday and have him stick to Wolters--do NOT help off of him; make others beat you. Double Wolters off the ball screen and make him give it up and then run shooters off the line. Burke has struggled on defense this year OFF the ball (caught ball watching), but is an exxcellent on-ball defender and could give Wolters fits. Offense should not be a problem for us in this game, so I actually hope LeVert gets more minutes over Stauskas in this game (doubt he will). Stauskas loses his man too much--even when the scouting report says all his guy does is shoot spot-up threes (Brust)--and it will hurt us against South Dakota State. Don't think we blow them out, but believe we win comfortably by double digits (10-15 points).

We can dominate the offensive glass, they're not very athletic and they're not a good rebounding team. I could see GRIII getting back into pre-conference form and dominating with his athleticism. Wolters has over 5 RPG and is one of their top rebounders. I, personally, don't think it's a good sign when your PG is one of your leading rebounders. It's kind of similar to your cornerback in football being one of your leading tacklers. It's cool for his stats, but not good for the team

Those highlights literally look like those guys are moving in slow motion, after having watched a full B1G slate.

/SEC'd

So when you play a team with a single superstar, which camp do you fall into? Do whatever you can to limit the star, and potentially allow the role players to have career days, or play them straight up and 'let them get theirs', but keep the role players in check.

They have 3 others who average over 10 PPG. I really don't know much about how talented they are though. I'd have to say key on Wolters, and if someone else gets hot, then we adjust. We don't want him getting hot IMO.

This game looks like a terrific matchup for Michigan.