You guys are talking about 2 different players here. Scott May had a cast on his arm so that was likely a bad decision by Knight and worse was putting Wilkerson at Forward when May couldn't go. Not as sure about Mike Woodson's situation but makes sense with a back. I cant imagine trying to play with a cast on my right arm or really even being allowed to by NCAA at the time
Agree. Smoked is a little strong. Boat races seems to be the trending term on this site as of late. Look. I love our team. I admit that the performance of the team emotionally impacts me. It’s kind of pathetic. But I am honest enough to admit it. I am just calling a spade a spade. This team plays amazing and up to our potential at home. Outside of Illinois, look at our road games in B1G play. I get that we were reeling after Race went down. But he nor X was down vs Rutgers. We got smoked. We got smoked at PSU. We barely beat the YMCA team in Minnesota who was playing with 7 players. We looked horrible at Maryland. I don’t understand how going on the road can change the way this team plays so much, but it does. At least up until this point, sans Illinois, we play poorly. Michigan is playing really well right now. I just do not have my hopes up that IU will show up like we did at Illinois. I hope I am wrong!
If you look at things in a vacuum “shooting woes on the road” your comments aren’t completely wrong, but at the same time it’s a pretty lazy take. I’m not sure you’d find a college team in America who shoots it better away from home than they do in their own building.
touche.... I'm overly sensitive to the use of the word "I" because most people who spout the word "I" over and over just want to hear themselves talk (or type in this case). But "I" will admit that "I" did not like what "I" was seeing over and over for an entire month out of this team. There were several factors that made the state of the team look bleak. No reason to recap but "I" will admit that "I" didn't take into account TJD's back issues to the degree "I" should have. That seems to be probably the key injury to a much higher degree than XJ/JG/RT (not to mention LD's never ending sinus infection). "I" really enjoy the banter on these boards and think there can always be a healthy debate between those who disagree without name calling. "I" have been guilty of this as many have and "I" will really try to do better from now on.
When “we” play poorly “I” have an opinion. When “we” play great, “I” have an opinion.
I like the fact that Michigan presents a completely different kind of challenge to what Rutgers did. Much more like Iowa. It'll be interesting how we play against a very good, versatile offensive team, that isn't as good defensively.
Michigan seems to have a program that is softer, less defensive focused, and prone to do or die from beyond the arc.
In general, I agree. And I know injuries have been a part of this...but I can't get the memories of Iowa, Michigan regular season game last year, St Mary's, PSU, Arizona, Kansas, even Xavier...all good offensive teams that exposed our defense pretty badly over the last year and a half. I know we've played a lot better of late, but we've been a really good defensive team more than we haven't since Woody arrived. Yet we still have horrid defensive performances every now and then. Michigan can stretch the floor with 5 guys. They're long and athletic at most positions. They have a guy that can play with TJD.
Our rim protection is pretty elite.
Michigan is an extremely streaky shooting team. They shoot a respectable clip from the perimeter but only one of their volume shooters (Jett Howard) shoots it an above average clip. Hunter Dickinson's ability to stretch the floor will probably dictate their offensive production Saturday. If they're able to run pick and pop and draw TJD away from the basket things could get dicey. If he's relegated to the block, IU has a decent chance of containing them so long as they stop dribble-drive.
DICKinson has had our number in most games he's played against us. And that's largely been against TJD and Race. Current TJD is a completely different animal, so that matchup will be very important to the game overall.
You aren't wrong, but in most of our losses and in games we haven't defended the perimeter well have all come against teams who not only shoot it very well from the perimeter but have multiple guys who can fill it up, all with the exception of Rutgers and Northwestern. Arizona and Penn State are both very good high volume 3 point shooting teams. Kansas has several guys who shoot it well from deep. Iowa can bury teams from deep.
Is Michigan not like them? I honestly haven't really watched them much? Just looked last night like they're willing, comfortable, and capable outside shooters with DICKinson, Howard, Baker, Buffkin, etc...
They're streaky and they also played Nebraska. Jett Howard is the only one I would consider to be a consistent and reliable 3 point threat. Baker is a 3 point specialist who plays a role similar to Miller Kopp but has a low usage rate. Obviously Dickinson has solid range out to the 3 point line but not many teams have an opposing big who can defend him inside/out, IU does in this scenario. Rest of their role players and core; McDaniel, Bufkin, Williams aren't high percentage shooters that I would categorize streaky at best. If those 3 kill you from the perimeter, tip your hat. But in order to beat Michigan, it all starts and stops with the ability to contain Dickinson. If you let him get going from the perimeter to the point where they can comfortably run pick and pop, you have a battle on your hand. Howard is a long but not a great athlete who could pose matchup problems but I think he falls too much in love with his perimeter game.
Woodson was the heart and soul of that team - they had to play him or they had nothing. With X - and actually with May - the team was playing well without them.
I agree it's a mystery how we come out so flat on the road. But I think the mentality of the team has changed. We're getting better production off the bench and we just seem mentally tougher - at least at home.
We've had a handful of games where we haven't come out flat, at all.
That's a fair take and do not disagree with anything. But 1-9 in the last 10 games is still 1-9. It does not change the outcome and clunker at Maryland. It does not change being boat raced at Penn State. I do believe we are playing our best basketball of the season and our defense should travel. Would like to see us offensively value our possessions and be patient and get the best shots out our possessions. Michigan hit 14 threes vs Nebraska at 54% clip. That type of performance is going to give us trouble if we do not defend the perimeter. Cannot have another outcome like Penn state. I am looking forward to the matchup and am hopeful for a victory. But, given our road woes, I am not expecting it.
Damn straight it would be huge. Win one more game and go undefeated on the week. Begin next week with a road revenge game vs NW and then a big time Saturday game vs Illinois. The table is set for a great run against very formidable competition. I am interested to see how our team comes out and prepared and locked in each game and ultimately, the final result. Let's get healthy and stay healthy. I think JG saw a brief appearance in the last game and that was a good sign. We need him.
IU won’t have to double anyone in the post. Our guys switch very well too. Michigan is not a bad match up for us. I don’t see them getting those easy looks.
Maryland is probably the worst road team in the B1G.
Really? This set of players, most from CAM, have been like 1-6 versus Rutgers before this win.
True but JHS was out at Rutgers, and TJD was not close to 100% with a bad back, that factored it. WIth Jalen and a healthy TJD we probably still get beat up there, but we compete MUCH better
This is true. Those two players were healthy and playing vs Maryland and we looked like trash. We were fortunate at Minnesota to not lose that game. Not looking to get into a pissing contest here, but the reality is this team, outside of Illinois, has not been reliable or good on the road. Injuries or not. That's all I am saying. I think we can win Saturday. We have the players and the ability to do it. I am just not confident we will.
you are the voice of reason. I think we lose by double digits, but for some reason I think we win at northwestern.
