Preview: Indiana

Tim January 14th, 2010 at 4:09 PM

The Essentials

WHAT	Michigan v. Indiana
WHERE	Ann Arbor, MI
WHEN	9:00PM EST January 14th, 2010
THE LINE	Michigan -13.5
TELEVISION	ESPN2

*Line provided by online sports betting site Sportsbetting.com.

When Last We Met

The Wolverines limped out of Assembly Hall on the wrong end of a 71-65 game. Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims had relatively quiet games, and actually each scored fewer points than Zack Novak or Laval Lucas-Perry.

If Michigan wants to turn the tables, they'll have to get star-worthy performance from their best two players, with the supporting cast stepping up. Michigan isn't going to win a lot of games this year without Sims and Harris stepping up (well, they're not going to win a lot of games this year no matter what, but I digress.

This time around, Indiana has had a chance to get used to not having Maurice Creek, but the Wolverines are at home. This certainly looks like a game that the Wolverines should win (and Vegas thinks so, too. Look at that gaudy line!).

Tempo-Free Breakdown

If you need an explanation of the stats, check out Ken Pomeroy.

Michigan v. Indiana: National Ranks
Category	Michigan Rank	Indiana Rank	Advantage
Mich eFG% v. IU Def eFG%	178	74	II
Mich Def eFG% v. IU eFG%	237	172	I
Mich TO% v. IU Def TO%	11	61	M
Mich Def TO% v. IU TO%	49	244	MM
Mich OReb% v. IU DReb%	253	193	I
Mich DReb% v. IU OReb%	253	155	I
Mich FTR v. IU Opp FTR	332	286	I
Mich Opp FTR v. IU FTR	13	49	M
Mich AdjO v. IU AdjD	82	105	M
Mich AdjD v. IU AdjO	93	177	M

Difference of more than 10 places in the national rankings get a 1-letter advantage, more than 100 gets a 2-letter advantage, more than 200 gets a 3-letter advantage, etc.

Michigan's numbers have improved since the first game against the Hoosiers, while Indiana has dropped games to Ohio State and Illinois decisively. Michigan appears to be the much better overall team, and should emerge with a win tonight.

Comments

ontarioblue

January 14th, 2010 at 4:17 PM ^

Come on boys, this is a must game. We can't afford any more mental breakdowns. Go Blue

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 16574

GOBLUE4EVR

January 14th, 2010 at 4:18 PM ^

who out of jordan morgan and blake mclimans is more likely to have their red shirt burned??? sooner or later deshawn and gibson are going to get into foul trouble or one of them might get hurt and JB is going to have to play one of them...

Joined: 01/09/2009

MGoPoints: 4273

Tim

January 14th, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^

Beilein was asked about those two yesterday, and it was pretty clear that he wants to try really hard to keep the redshirts on both of those guys. If they're forced to play one at some point, I would guess it's McLimans, since Morgan is coming off the injury.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 13040

MH20

January 14th, 2010 at 4:31 PM ^

I think Morgan would be the guy more likely to burn his shirt. I seem to remember reading reports from fall camp that McLimans was pretty raw. I could be remembering wrong, though.

Joined: 10/30/2008

MGoPoints: 40453

GOBLUE4EVR

January 14th, 2010 at 4:41 PM ^

answering the question tim... it would just be nice to have a big man with some in game experience for next year...

Joined: 01/09/2009

MGoPoints: 4273

MH20

January 14th, 2010 at 4:21 PM ^

Am I seeing that correctly?

Joined: 10/30/2008

MGoPoints: 40453

Tim

January 14th, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^

I was shocked by the line as well. Vegas really like Michigan in this game.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 13040

matty blue

January 14th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^

a lock.

Joined: 08/01/2008

MGoPoints: 39152

jonny_GoBlue

January 14th, 2010 at 6:09 PM ^

Thanks for the heads up. Mortgaging the house as I type this...

Joined: 09/05/2009

MGoPoints: 4519

jonny_GoBlue

January 14th, 2010 at 11:33 PM ^

And now I have enough to buy a second house. Thank you kindly sir!

Joined: 09/05/2009

MGoPoints: 4519

matty blue

January 15th, 2010 at 5:35 AM ^

...just one of the many services i offer. i would refrain from letting it ride this sunday, however.

Joined: 08/01/2008

MGoPoints: 39152

jamiemac

January 14th, 2010 at 4:41 PM ^

The Hoosiers have only played one true road game this year. Last week in Columbus. They lost by 24. Didnt cover the +14 that night and were already down by more than 20 before the end of the first half. It was not good. However, they did not lose to Illinois decisively. They lost by 6, covered the spread and were winning by 13 at the half. Still winning with less than 2 go. Frankly, both the IU and UM games were carbon copies of each other over the weekend. Both my teams coughed up comfy second half leads. In games that they absolutely needed: Michigan from a bubble standpoint and IU to live up to my 5-4 at home in Big 10 play prediction. I DVRed the IU game and watched Sunday morning. So, I got both on the same day. I was in a hoops funk for a good couple days after that. Should be a fun one tonight. Personally, I think Michigan wins, but the talent level between teams is closer than most of you guys are willing to admit.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 8446

MH20

January 14th, 2010 at 4:57 PM ^

I think IU has some real good players, it's just that they are young and inexperienced. Your boys will be back.

Joined: 10/30/2008

MGoPoints: 40453

steviebrownfor…

January 15th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^

Jordan Hulls looked like he good be a very consistent Big 10 point guard for the next 3 years. Rivers is a great rebounder and defender, and somehow Watford manages to put the ball in the hoop. I agree that IU is on their way up.

Joined: 02/01/2009

MGoPoints: 10040

cjpops

January 14th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^

I've got this game on ESPN in my area. All TiVo people might want to check that out. Nothing like setting the recorder and tuning in later to see Slippery Rock...:)

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 1945

UM Indy

January 14th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

There's no such thing as a lock win for a team this mentally fragile and inconsistent. We blew a 17 point lead at home to Northwestern for goodness sake.

Joined: 03/05/2009

MGoPoints: 22207

michiganfanforlife

January 15th, 2010 at 12:07 AM ^

coach B sits Manny to get his head straight and he responds bigtime. I really like having a coach who understands what buttons to push to get his players to perform at a high level. Near the end of this one, Michigan started to get a running game going up and down the court. This has been missing all year so far, and they look pretty dangerous on the run. Hopefully they can take this new momentum and start to put a winning streak together. Go Blue!!!

Joined: 05/05/2009

MGoPoints: 2788

BlueinOK

January 15th, 2010 at 2:45 AM ^

It's hard to believe that the team is now 3-2 in the Big Ten after that stretch earlier in the year. Hopefully the team can improve and make a little run.

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 15029