Michigan has the #1 offensive efficiency in the country. They are a great offense. They play at a below average pace, so they don't score as many points as you would expect, but they are really efficient. Kansas and Florida are top 5 defenses and they had no trouble scoring on them.
That doesn't mean I expect them to put a huge number on us, but they aredefinitely a great offense.
Plus I think there is some merit to Beilein's 0-9 record vs JAB. He has yet to find a way to defeat the 2-3 zone and although this UM team is probably his most talented team to face Syracuse, our 2-3 zone is really humming. I'm not saying his team will struggle like Indiana, but I think they will have some problems getting open baskets. I fully expect them to hit some deep threes early, but as we have seen in the last 20 or so years, the percentages eventually work in our favor.
Michigan opened up as a 2.5 pt favorite and it went down to two. I say take the Cuse with the points and an outright 70-65 win.[/quote]
There could be something to it. Like I said in an earlier post, I'd rather our JB be 9-0 vs their JB than the other way around. But this is also pretty clearly the most talented team Beilen has ever had to face SU, and unless I'm forgetting some of his teams, it's not even close. Take NBAdraft.net for what it's worth, but they have Michigan with 4 first round picks in their starting lineup. Far cry from the days of Pittsnoggle and Mike Gansey.
I do agree that I think Michigan will do better than Indiana, because I think Beilen is probably a better X and O coach than Crean, and Michigan has better personnel to attack the zone. But I still think our defense will do some solid work on them. I expect this to be a a close one.[/quote]
Good post. I think it comes down to the simply obvious; can they execute their gameplan vs the zone. As teams are finding out it is easier said than done. Teams then start panicking and making bad decisions/passes. Michigan is young and this could be a big factor. However, I was impressed how they handled VCU which suggests that they have poise for a young bunch. Still, they have not seen our brand of D.
Michigan is playing better on D as of late. It will be more difficult to make 1-on-1 moves vs them it was vs IU. They have the athleticism to match us and I do agree with some of the draft sites on where four of their guys in particular are projected. Stauskas has had a nice first season too and is their version of at least a sophomore Rautins.
They are a very good team hitting their stride like we are. I really think it will come down to some subtle execution and strategy issues with them. If they forget about CJ's left hand or go into meltdown mode in the heat of the moment vs the zone then it bodes well for us. Somehow getting McGary in foul trouble maybe in pick' n roll situations could be big. Rak/Baye will have to be physical and sharp. McGary is a bull and he has REALLY nice touch around the basket. Make it difficult for him. I think it will be a low scoring game and I don't see us scoring 65 or 70 on them. Gonna be a close one all 2H imo with a narrow 'Cuse win, I hope!
