2015-16 uconn

Shot of LeVert's shoe #adidas pic.twitter.com/ynFCOyT2Pp

— Ben Fidelman (@bfidelman) November 26, 2015

Derrick Walton knocked down a three-pointer to cut the UConn lead to 14. For a moment, it looked like Michigan could perhaps claw their way back into a game in which they'd been dominated throughout.

But Caris LeVert's left shoe ripped open like a Ziploc, and his mark, Sam Cassell Jr., left him to contemplate the fickle nature of breathable fabrics while Cassell made an uncontested layup seven seconds later. It was that kind of night.

Michigan's zone defense briefly kept them close early while both teams tried to get their bearings. The Huskies settled in. The Wolverines never did. Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton combined to shoot 5/7 from beyond the arc; the rest of the team went 3/22.

The loss sends Michigan to the loser's side of the Battle 4 Atlantis bracket; they'll play Charlotte, defeated today by Syracuse, tomorrow night at 9:30 on AXS TV.

It's late Thanksgiving Eve during the week of The Game. I can't end a post on that note.

Much better. Happy Thanksgiving. There will be more, if probably brief, coverage of the Charlotte game tomorrow.

THE ESSENTIALS

Right: Run, don't walk, to this archived UConn Advance history of Jonathan, their live mascot. The mascot that clearly needs to be put down at right filled in for a "shell shocked" Jonathan V.

HOW TO WATCH

The broadcasts of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament are split between ESPN and AXS TV, and while you're surely familar with the former you probably need some help finding the latter. For those in the area, here's a handy guide provided by U-M Media Relations:

Ann Arbor:

• AT&T U-verse Ch. 1106
• Charter Ch. 820
• Comcast Ch. 382
• DirecTV Ch. 340
• DISH Ch. 167

Detroit:

• AT&T U-verse Ch. 1106
• Charter Ch. 770 and Ch. 820
• Comcast Ch. 382
• DirecTV Ch. 340
• DISH Ch. 167
• Wyandotte Cable TV Ch. 179

Grand Rapids:

• AT&T U-verse Ch. 1106
• Charter Ch. 820
• DirecTV Ch. 340
• DISH Ch. 167

For the rest of you, AXS TV has a channel finder on their site.

THE STAKES

The winner of this game will play Syracuse (which beat Charlotte this afternoon) at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon on ESPN in the tournament semis. The loser plays Charlotte at 9:30 on AXS TV in the consolation bracket. You can see the full tournament bracket here.

THE US

John Beilein is hoping to get the rotation set this week:

The even matchup outside means that, if Michigan wants to have a chance at winning, it needs to improve down low. Beilein said that he wants to trim the rotation down from 12 to eight or nine, but has yet to see his forwards differentiate themselves.

“We’ve got to make decisions now,” Beilein said. “Get some guys off the bubble, play some guys, and then, if that thing changes, play some new guys and put other guys on the bubble.”

He's also mentioned changes are coming to the starting lineup. While he didn't specify, it's a good bet Ricky Doyle replaces Mark Donnal, who's probably fighting for a rotation spot over DJ Wilson and Mo Wagner at center.

THE LINEUP CARD

Projected starters are in bold. Hover over headers for stat explanations. The "Should I Be Mad If He Hits A Three" methodology: we're mad if a guy who's not good at shooting somehow hits one. Yes, you're still allowed to be unhappy if a proven shooter is left open. It's a free country.

Pos.	#	Name	Yr.	Ht./Wt.	%Min	%Poss	SIBMIHHAT
G	4	Sterling Gibbs	R-Sr.	6'2, 191	75	19	No
Grad transfer is a lights-out outside shooter. Solid passer, too.
G	44	Rodney Purvis	R-Jr.	6'4, 205	64	23	No
Off to a good start. Solid outside shooter whose finishing is coming along.
G	5	Daniel Hamilton	So.	6'7, 195	60	26	Not Really
Averaging 9-8-6. Inefficient scorer, excellent rebounder, high assist and TO numbers.
F	32	Shonn Miller	R-Sr.	6'7, 222	58	18	Yes
Cornell grad transfer. Good defensive rebounder and shot-blocker. Gets to line and can score inside but takes too many threes he doesn't hit often.
C	35	Amida Brimah	Jr.	7'0. 232	53	15	Very
Major presence on offensive glass, finishes well. Doyle-like DR%. Arguably best shot-blocker in country.
G	2	Jalen Adams	Fr.	6'3, 187	44	23	No
Blue-chip recruit off to a hot start inside and outside the arc. High assist and TO numbers.
G	21	Omar Calhoun	Sr.	6'6, 205	34	20	Kinda
30% career three-point shooter taking almost exclusively triples, has made 4/14 so far this year.
F	12	Kenton Facey	Jr.	6'10, 217	38	19	Very
Force on the glass, not a great offensive player otherwise.

THE RESUME

Michigan represents the first true test for the Huskies, who've recorded blowouts of #312 Maine, #156 Furman, and #212 New Hampshire in their first three games this season.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the preview.]