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thewolverines24
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KEYS
Transition defense: Transition defense isn?t the only key against Iowa, but it is hard for much else to matter without it. The Hawkeyes score 23.4 transition points per game in wins and 12.6 transition points per game in losses. The Hawkeyes are just 6-7 when they fail to score 20 transition points in a game and undefeated when they surpass that number. Michigan?s transition defense has shown some signs of improvement but has been a weakness all season. Games against Iowa (and Michigan State down the road) will be the only real test of whether those improvements are legitimate.
Win the big man stats: Iowa will lean into smaller lineups that present challenges for Michigan on defense and opportunities on offense. The Wolverines need to score inside efficiently, get to the free-throw line often and create second chances against the worst defensive rebounding team in the Big Ten. The key for Juwan Howard?s team is to create an advantage with their size that is big enough to overcome some of the defensive issues that they?ll have against Iowa?s speed.
Get to the offensive staples & make some shots: Michigan?s ball screen offense and post-up attack should both be effective against an Iowa defense that doesn?t have great size inside and hasn?t been particularly effective slowing down opposing ball screen offneses. The pressure that Iowa puts on opposing offenses isn?t so much that it makes it impossible to score; it?s that its offense is so lethal that it forces opponents to score at a rate that is hard to sustain. Michigan will need to be ready for a shootout in this one and that means finishing bunnies, making open threes and playing as well as it has offensively al season.
GO BLUE!
KEYS
Transition defense: Transition defense isn?t the only key against Iowa, but it is hard for much else to matter without it. The Hawkeyes score 23.4 transition points per game in wins and 12.6 transition points per game in losses. The Hawkeyes are just 6-7 when they fail to score 20 transition points in a game and undefeated when they surpass that number. Michigan?s transition defense has shown some signs of improvement but has been a weakness all season. Games against Iowa (and Michigan State down the road) will be the only real test of whether those improvements are legitimate.
Win the big man stats: Iowa will lean into smaller lineups that present challenges for Michigan on defense and opportunities on offense. The Wolverines need to score inside efficiently, get to the free-throw line often and create second chances against the worst defensive rebounding team in the Big Ten. The key for Juwan Howard?s team is to create an advantage with their size that is big enough to overcome some of the defensive issues that they?ll have against Iowa?s speed.
Get to the offensive staples & make some shots: Michigan?s ball screen offense and post-up attack should both be effective against an Iowa defense that doesn?t have great size inside and hasn?t been particularly effective slowing down opposing ball screen offneses. The pressure that Iowa puts on opposing offenses isn?t so much that it makes it impossible to score; it?s that its offense is so lethal that it forces opponents to score at a rate that is hard to sustain. Michigan will need to be ready for a shootout in this one and that means finishing bunnies, making open threes and playing as well as it has offensively al season.
GO BLUE!
