he was good tonight along with their other backups but I think he's one of the potential Achilles heals because of turnovers. even in this win Michigan has 14 turnovers. also he's a sub 70% free throw shooter which isn't great from your primary handler if they get in close games
maybe my hatred of Michigan is clouding my judgement but I can't believe a team with their guards is gonna go all the way. that front court is a amazing and their defense is amazing but to me the guards are a weak spot
What could be the blueprint to beating them? They have 1 loss (Wisconsin) and 4 other close games (TCU, Wake, PSU, Nebraska)
The similarities in all of those games are:
Michigan shot under 50% from the field
Michigan shot 32% or less from three point range
Michigan averaged 16 turnovers in those 5 games
You do not have to:
Outrebound them... Michigan held an avg +7.2 margin in those 5 games
Shoot exceptionally well... Wake 34%, TCU 37%, Penn St 35%, Wisconsin 50%, Nebraska 46%
Shoot the 3 well... Wake 10-34, TCU 7-24, Penn St 8-30, Wisconsin 15-33, Nebraska 11-32
Make more free throws... Michigan held an avg +6.4 margin in free throws made in those 5 games
Looking at it game by game, it looks like you basically have to turn them over and contest shots:
Wake shot 34% overall, missed 24 threes, got outrebounded, but nearly won because Michigan shot 4-25 from three and turned it over 17 times.
TCU shot 37% overall, missed 17 threes, got crushed on the glass 44-23, made 6 less FTs, but nearly won because Michigan had 22 turnovers.
Penn St shot 35% overall, missed 22 threes, but outrebounded Michigan by 6, had 2 less turnovers, Michigan shot poorly again (8-27 from 3).
Wisconsin did shoot well 50% overall and made 15-33 threes, did not win turnover margin... this is the one that's a little different than the others.
Nebraska was down 2 rotation players, missed 21 threes, Michigan won FT margin +19 and rebound margin +12 but had 19 turnovers.