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thewolverines24
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Go Blue! 9:30 PM ET tip on ESPN.
MATCHUPS
Kriisa ? Jones
Mathurin ? Brooks
Terry ? Houstan
Tubelis ? Johns
Koloko ? Dickinson
Michigan shouldn?t have a big issue playing big with Johns or Diabate at the four in this game because Tubelis spends most of his time at the power forward spot and he?s a true second big. In recent years, this would have led to an Isaiah Livers mismatch at the spot, but I?m not sure U-M has that option right now.
Terry is an athletic talent but he?s probably a more comfortable defensive matchup for Caleb Houstan given that he?s a lower usage offensive threat but Mathurin?s size against either DeVante? Jones or Eli Brooks is a mismatch problem. I think the best bet is to put Jones on Kriisa and have him hound him on the ball with Brooks having a bit more strength against Mathurin.
KEYS
Point guard play: Arizona?s point guard combo of Kerr Kriisa and Justin Kier looked vulnerable against Wichita State. They turned the ball over a combined six times and were 5 of 18 from the field with four assists. Michigan?s point guard play hasn?t been perfect, but the Wolverines should look to pressure the ball and take Arizona out of its actions because the lead guard spot is the weakest link on paper.
Win the interior battle: This is a strength-on-strength battle in all of the ?two big? stats. Michigan and Arizona are both great 2-point shooting, offensive rebounding and free-throw rate teams. The team that wins those three statistical duels is going to have control of the game.
Deal with perimeter length: Michigan looked flustered against Seton Hall?s length, especially on the perimeter. There?s been a split-second tape delay where the Wolverines don?t attempt jump shots because of the opposition length. Michigan needs to let those shots fly, especially Caleb Houstan on the perimeter.
BOTTOM LINE
This game presents a fascinating test for Michigan because Arizona will challenge the Wolverines in a way that?s so similar to Seton Hall. It?s an excellent opportunity for Juwan Howard?s team to show how they?ve improved over the last week and build some confidence against an outstanding Arizona team that feels underrated.
KenPom likes Michigan by a 74-68 final, giving the Wolverines a 71% chance of taking home the Roman Main Event Championship Belt.
MATCHUPS
Kriisa ? Jones
Mathurin ? Brooks
Terry ? Houstan
Tubelis ? Johns
Koloko ? Dickinson
Michigan shouldn?t have a big issue playing big with Johns or Diabate at the four in this game because Tubelis spends most of his time at the power forward spot and he?s a true second big. In recent years, this would have led to an Isaiah Livers mismatch at the spot, but I?m not sure U-M has that option right now.
Terry is an athletic talent but he?s probably a more comfortable defensive matchup for Caleb Houstan given that he?s a lower usage offensive threat but Mathurin?s size against either DeVante? Jones or Eli Brooks is a mismatch problem. I think the best bet is to put Jones on Kriisa and have him hound him on the ball with Brooks having a bit more strength against Mathurin.
KEYS
Point guard play: Arizona?s point guard combo of Kerr Kriisa and Justin Kier looked vulnerable against Wichita State. They turned the ball over a combined six times and were 5 of 18 from the field with four assists. Michigan?s point guard play hasn?t been perfect, but the Wolverines should look to pressure the ball and take Arizona out of its actions because the lead guard spot is the weakest link on paper.
Win the interior battle: This is a strength-on-strength battle in all of the ?two big? stats. Michigan and Arizona are both great 2-point shooting, offensive rebounding and free-throw rate teams. The team that wins those three statistical duels is going to have control of the game.
Deal with perimeter length: Michigan looked flustered against Seton Hall?s length, especially on the perimeter. There?s been a split-second tape delay where the Wolverines don?t attempt jump shots because of the opposition length. Michigan needs to let those shots fly, especially Caleb Houstan on the perimeter.
BOTTOM LINE
This game presents a fascinating test for Michigan because Arizona will challenge the Wolverines in a way that?s so similar to Seton Hall. It?s an excellent opportunity for Juwan Howard?s team to show how they?ve improved over the last week and build some confidence against an outstanding Arizona team that feels underrated.
KenPom likes Michigan by a 74-68 final, giving the Wolverines a 71% chance of taking home the Roman Main Event Championship Belt.
