Rockchalkblog preview

Submitted by Z on
They have another preview that sees things going differently, but this was interesting to me. I wouldn't consider UM a turnover forcing team, but I agree with the conclusion anyway. Very excited for this game!
How I See It: Kansas has to bring their A+ game to Dallas to have a chance against Michigan. Woefully under seeded, Michigan is playing too well for the Jayhawks to do anything less. The Jayhawks must hold the number of turnovers they commit to eight or less, or Michigan will advance to the Elite Eight Prediction: As much as it kills me as a lifelong Kansas fan to say this, Michigan is moving on in Dallas. Kansas may have a defensive advantage in Withey, but it won’t be enough for the ball-hawking, turnover-forcing Wolverines. Nothing would make me happier than seeing Bill Self return to the Elite Eight once again, but I just don’t see it happening this year.
http://rockchalkblog.com/2013/03/27/sweet-16-matchup-jayhawks-face-off-…

Blue boy johnson

March 29th, 2013 at 5:43 PM ^

You and Tom Izzo, but turnovers be happening sometime. Izzo still trying to figure out how MSU managed 18 turnovers at the Crisler Center. The last two were of the ball hawking type.

I would categorize Mitch McGary and Trey Burke as ball hawkers. It doesn't always lead to good results but they are ball hawkers.

LSAClassOf2000

March 29th, 2013 at 6:26 PM ^

Despite beating North Carolina, Kansas did have 22 turnovers in that game as well, and in their entire season to date, they've only managed less than 10 turnovers on three occasions. Long story short, it's good for a TO% of 18.5%. On the other hand, we've managed to keep the turnovers under 10 in 17 games, although our own TO% is 14.4% on the season. The comparison stats posted several threads down are awfully close in most respects, so it might very well come down to something as timely (or untimely, depending on who and when) turnovers and overall discipline with the ball. "Turnover-forcing" isn't something I would say either, but the ability to make them costly is something we do possess. 

buckeyejonross

March 29th, 2013 at 6:13 PM ^

Haha, I didn't want to be the one that had to say it, glad you did. I'll call Michigan a lot of things: Offensively talented, sweet-shooting, Burke-reliant, etc. but "ball hawking and turnover forcing" isn't quite their MO.

MgoRayO3313

March 29th, 2013 at 5:38 PM ^

I have concern too. I live here in Kansas so I have had to watch a ton of their games by default. My biggest worry is simply foul trouble. IMHO Michigan struggles against big teams when their bigs get in foul trouble. At times the offense goes stagnant, and I just pray that someone like McGary doesn't get in early foul trouble because we need that spark if shots from the outside are not dropping. I am still confident, just concerned. Go Blue!