Interesting take from sportsline.com on Michigan's first round opponent and a possible Louisville matchup
Thought these nuggets were worth sharing on Vegas oddsmakers outlook on Michigan:
"The SportsLine Projection Model expects Michigan to win 77-72 (against OSU), so we'd take Michigan to cover a 2.5-point spread. That score equates to 149 total points, so we'd take the Under on 155.5.
Whomever wins likely plays No. 2 seed Louisville. Former Vegas bookmaker Micah Roberts said he'd make Michigan a three-point favorite over Louisville, but he expects the Cardinals to be favored if the match-up happens."
and I am in room filled with KY and Louisville fans. Yesterday, I told them two things:
1. Kentucky got lucky because they should walk in to the sweet 16 (they were whining about having UCLA and UNC in their bracket).
2. Lousiville is going down in the 2nd round, regardless of whether they face Michigan or OK State. I was told these were "Fighting Words."
I don't know man, that UNC-UCLA-Kentucky bracket is brutal.
The bottom half is tough, but UNC should have an easy road to the regional final as the South region has the weakest #4 and #5 seeds. I don't think UNC would trade places with Villanova or Kansas.
...I could definitely see Wichita St. giving Kentucky everything they can handle.
Wichita State is a #2 seed according to KenPom, and closer to a #1 than a #4. That's an insane #10 seed. Michigan got screwed, but only by one seed line (granted, in their bracket it's a huge difference between a healthy #2 Louisville and #3 Oregon without their best shot blocker. Wichita St got screwed by the committee again.
Holy Smokes - Wichita St won 30 games. Damn.
And once again, I feel like Duke was practically granted a bye to the Final 4 this year. If they get Usual Villanova and not Last Year Villanova, they'll walk.
was unlucky to draw Dayton/Wichita State as their 2nd round opponent especially Wichita State.
March 14th, 2017 at 11:03 PM ^
....I am so sorry
March 15th, 2017 at 10:37 AM ^
They did not say them fighting words right ther. *insert redneck accent*
Boned?
We need Flight Aware on Ted Valentine... STAT!
Me too.
Wouldn't it be great if there was a ton of make-up goals going Michigan's way if they play each other again? That would be some karma but still wouldn't be enough.
Louisville's style of defense is to try to get away with as many fouls as possible and hope the refs get sick of calling them. Theyre the worst.
No -- don't give them any excuses. Just call it fair, and let Michigan beat them straight up.
Actually, true. Running them right off the court would be so much sweeter!
That's what I've always said about Lousiville. They really aren't that good of basketball players. You have to beat them at their own dirty style of play. Their style of play is intimidation and creating frustration. Reverse it on them and you get in their head. After all, they're only just boys and you can get in their head. Their over agressive defense should make for good pick & roll, back cuts and (back screens) releasing to the hoop. If they take that away, should free up open shots.
Edit: Screens away from the ball where the screener releases to the hoop. All day baby. It should be there. Especially on the switch where you get a guard matched up on DJ or Wagner. Get those guards in foul trouble early. You all can see what I'm talking about on the homepage gif where Robinson hits that curling 3 ball that was so huge. The screener needs to roll or release to the hoop there while the chaos is occurring. This would be Irvin in this case. It's wide open quite often and I'm pretty sure you don't see the team take advantage of it that often.
but stayed in the game? My favorite
That game should have ended with Kate Upton fucking one of our point guards, not the refs fucking our point guards!
Sounds like something she should have tweeted . . .
If Michigan wins and plays Louisville then either Michigan or Louisville will be the favorite.
BOLD take.
I cannot wait for that game to be listed as even money.
While they are on a hot streak I watched them play Kansas. I do not think they have the fire power that we do and there bigs can not guard the perimeter. I predict Michigan wins 81-72
Welcome to the board.. upvoted for first comment
You are more generous than many on here Ceci - some might point out use of there for their...
But not me, I am not that guy
obligatory I wont do this but just did comment.. well played
We do play small ball but with two guys at 6-10 a 6-7 sf and a 6-4 guard lol.
From dim recall from my time in Oklahoma, they tend to be pretty myopic once you get outside of the region, it's a problem everywhere but it seems to be aggravated there.
OSU is a one-dimensional team, and won't like our "prevent the three" defense. Louisville is tough, but I love our guard play right now, and expect that to be the difference. Louisville was lucky to get a 2 seed, and after Sunday, they'll be sorry they did
I mostly agree with you on beating both teams. Just a few caveats.
- Someone, really, some two, have to have the hot hand with threes. Between DJ, Moe, Irvin, and Walton, ideally at least one big and one guard are knocking down threes. That opens up the floor, and allows Walton and Irvin (and the bigs) to drive to the basket.
- We have to stay out of foul trouble. However, the emergence of DJ Wilson at the 5 has made a huge difference, and made us much less vulnerable to Wagner getting the autobench or fouling out. Still, if the refs let the guys play, and DJ and Wagner stay out of foul trouble, we'll win.
To your second point - The refs in the Wisc game didn't call the ticky-tack fouls. Michigan should obviously defend with as much tenancity but my fear is that the refs call it much closer.
My fear is allowing OSU guards to slap and bang but call it tight on the big buys.
look for guys to flop on Mo and DJ posting up or trying to use their size
osu will try to dictate the game with pace and space. if refs call golden state ball style we might be in trouble
Not to overlook OSU but Louisville will be scrappy and push the limits of the roughness and reaching. Michigan has to match that intensity. If the refs aren't calling the game both ways, then the fans and Beilein need to get after those dipshits early.
March 15th, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^
Both great points. I might add D. Robinson to the list in point #1. If he happens to be the one who catches fire, I could forsee him being the one most likely to go off NBA Jam style.
game Michigan offense shows up with BTT Michigan defense, this team will run deep. OSU doesn't scare me because we are capable of scoring with them and have proven we can defend. Just like the tourney every year, you need the best version of your team to show up; if it doesn't, so be it. As far as seedings and such go, so what; you have to beat who ever is in front of you. Go Blue.
March 15th, 2017 at 12:15 AM ^
When you say Spread, I think Rich Rodriguez.
I am not a well man.