Michigan vs duke in Maui Invitational Open Thread

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Redemption time tonight guys. duke struggled with a pesky tennessee team last night and Michigan really impressed yesterday. Hopefully Michigan can get revenge from March, and move onto the Maui Championship Game. GO BLUE!

robmorren2

November 22nd, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^

Rivers & Curry are cocky little bastards. I wonder if they'll be pounding their chests and sticking their tongues out when North Carolina abuses their 8th grade builds.

GVSUGoBlue

November 22nd, 2011 at 9:19 PM ^

The guys played hard. They started poor and then began to shoot well in the 2nd half and that is what doomed us. This is a good confidence builder for our team though.

jaspersail

November 22nd, 2011 at 9:27 PM ^

The refs sure do love Rivers, he travels every time he comes to a stop with the ball. Usually 4 steps. Watch the foul/time out trap near the end-- he takes at least 5 steps before he is touched.
<br>
<br>Has he been knighted already?

teepodum

November 22nd, 2011 at 9:33 PM ^

We are pretty good, but not yet elite. We started out down 9-0, and essentially played Duke even the rest of the way.  While we hung with them, the game was never really in doubt in the 2nd half. 

Trey is really really good.  I honestly already believe he is better than Morris.  He barely got to rest this game... because coach knew he was our best shot to stay in it.  He was single handedly able to get Jordan Morgan 12 points, just like Morris used to do.  His shooting is far superior to Morris.

Smot laid an egg.  He seems to be frustrated this tournament.  Teams are getting into his head, and he isn't strong with the ball.

Duke shot over 50% from 3, and was over 65% until late in the game.  Our defense gave up 82 points, but there isn't much you can do when teams are shooting lights out.  Honestly our D wasn't that bad, although our guards let their quick little guards into the lane a little too easily in the 2nd half.

Coach tighened up the rotation this game, likely because he thought we had a good shot at winning the game.  Hopefully that doesn't leave our starters tired for the 3rd place game.

If we can beat UCLA (or Kansas) to get 3rd place in the tourney, I think it will definitely be a success.  The early year experience we will get from playing Memphis, Duke, and UCLA will be very important as we head into the B10 season, and wins over Memphis and UCLA will be very helpful come tourney selection time (while a lose to Duke won't hurt).