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thewolverines24
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2 PM ET on CBS. I'm in attendance for the first time in 2 years (thanks covid!)
KEYS
Whistles in the paint: Early fouls on Kofi Cockburn or Hunter Dickinson would change the entire complexion of this game. Cockburn committed four or five fouls and played less than 30 minutes in three of Illinois? league losses and he didn?t play in another league defeat. Getting him off the court, or even into foul trouble, would give U-M an avenue to attack through Dickinson which could be the answer in the halfcourt offense given the ball screen issues.
Hunter Dickinson pick and pop: Dickinson has missed his last eight threes after making 7-of-13 during a three-game stretch in early February. If there was ever a game that Michigan needed his perimeter stroke, it is this one. Illinois? drop coverage causes a lot of issues for Michigan?s offense, but it is vulnerable against pick-and-pop threats. Dickinson will be able to get open looks from three in this game, the only question is whether he makes them. I suspect he?ll attempt at least 3 or 4 and if he hits a couple then Michigan?s win probability shoots up.
Guard scoring: Eli Brooks and DeVante? Jones had one of their best ball screen scoring games of the year against Rutgers and they?ll have to duplicate that effort against Illinois. The signs are there that they might be up for the challenge. Brooks is averaging 14.8 points per game over the last eight, shooting 57% on twos and 43% on threes, while Jones has also been far more comfortable looking for scoring chances in the paint. The Wolverines will need a few floaters from Jones and mid-range pull-ups from Brooks to keep the offense on schedule.
Ball screen defense: Illinois has the elite post-up threat in Kofi Cockburn, but it also runs the second-most ball screens in the Big Ten. Michigan?s ball screen defense might have improved a bit over the last few weeks, but it still isn?t particularly great. The Wolverines will need to play one of their better games defending the pick and roll to contain the Illini guards and take away easy lobs and rolls to the rim for Cockburn.
GO BLUE!
KEYS
Whistles in the paint: Early fouls on Kofi Cockburn or Hunter Dickinson would change the entire complexion of this game. Cockburn committed four or five fouls and played less than 30 minutes in three of Illinois? league losses and he didn?t play in another league defeat. Getting him off the court, or even into foul trouble, would give U-M an avenue to attack through Dickinson which could be the answer in the halfcourt offense given the ball screen issues.
Hunter Dickinson pick and pop: Dickinson has missed his last eight threes after making 7-of-13 during a three-game stretch in early February. If there was ever a game that Michigan needed his perimeter stroke, it is this one. Illinois? drop coverage causes a lot of issues for Michigan?s offense, but it is vulnerable against pick-and-pop threats. Dickinson will be able to get open looks from three in this game, the only question is whether he makes them. I suspect he?ll attempt at least 3 or 4 and if he hits a couple then Michigan?s win probability shoots up.
Guard scoring: Eli Brooks and DeVante? Jones had one of their best ball screen scoring games of the year against Rutgers and they?ll have to duplicate that effort against Illinois. The signs are there that they might be up for the challenge. Brooks is averaging 14.8 points per game over the last eight, shooting 57% on twos and 43% on threes, while Jones has also been far more comfortable looking for scoring chances in the paint. The Wolverines will need a few floaters from Jones and mid-range pull-ups from Brooks to keep the offense on schedule.
Ball screen defense: Illinois has the elite post-up threat in Kofi Cockburn, but it also runs the second-most ball screens in the Big Ten. Michigan?s ball screen defense might have improved a bit over the last few weeks, but it still isn?t particularly great. The Wolverines will need to play one of their better games defending the pick and roll to contain the Illini guards and take away easy lobs and rolls to the rim for Cockburn.
GO BLUE!
