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thewolverines24
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Second chances: Michigan has generally been more apt to forgo offensive rebounding at the expense of getting back in transition defense. The Gophers have a poor transition offense (3rd percentile in volume) and are one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the country (347th). The Wolverines need to emphasize crashing the offensive glass more than they would in any normal matchup. That starts with Hunter Dickinson but also potentially Kobe Bufkin and Terrance Williams II.
Ball screen defense: Michigan learned last year that even a bad team that emphasizes an area of the game you struggle to defend can be a difficult matchup. The Gophers are going to run a lot of ball screens tonight, and Michigan hasn?t done a good job of defending ball screens this year. The Wolverines are also going to be playing a freshman point guard who has struggled defensively for extra minutes. How the Wolverines perform defensively against the pick and roll should set the tone.
Ride Hunter Dickinson: Dickinson needs to dominate for Michigan to win this game as it figures out what to do with its backcourt and rotation moving forward. The Gophers are vulnerable on the glass and inside but Dickinson hasn?t had an elite KenPom-MVP style performance in a while. He?s been settling for a few too many jumpers and missing just a couple of extra bunnies that are limiting his efficiency.
All eyes on Dug McDaniel (but really Kobe Bufkin): Dug McDaniel will be the headliner, and likely starter with Llewellyn sidelined, but Kobe Bufkin?s role is what I?ll be watching closely. I expect Bufkin to play major minutes at the one and handle a lot of ball screen reps in this new-look backcourt. I?m intrigued to see how lineups with Bufkin, Jett Howard, and another shooter perform, especially when paired with Dickinson in the middle.
Go Blue!
KEYS
Second chances: Michigan has generally been more apt to forgo offensive rebounding at the expense of getting back in transition defense. The Gophers have a poor transition offense (3rd percentile in volume) and are one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the country (347th). The Wolverines need to emphasize crashing the offensive glass more than they would in any normal matchup. That starts with Hunter Dickinson but also potentially Kobe Bufkin and Terrance Williams II.
Ball screen defense: Michigan learned last year that even a bad team that emphasizes an area of the game you struggle to defend can be a difficult matchup. The Gophers are going to run a lot of ball screens tonight, and Michigan hasn?t done a good job of defending ball screens this year. The Wolverines are also going to be playing a freshman point guard who has struggled defensively for extra minutes. How the Wolverines perform defensively against the pick and roll should set the tone.
Ride Hunter Dickinson: Dickinson needs to dominate for Michigan to win this game as it figures out what to do with its backcourt and rotation moving forward. The Gophers are vulnerable on the glass and inside but Dickinson hasn?t had an elite KenPom-MVP style performance in a while. He?s been settling for a few too many jumpers and missing just a couple of extra bunnies that are limiting his efficiency.
All eyes on Dug McDaniel (but really Kobe Bufkin): Dug McDaniel will be the headliner, and likely starter with Llewellyn sidelined, but Kobe Bufkin?s role is what I?ll be watching closely. I expect Bufkin to play major minutes at the one and handle a lot of ball screen reps in this new-look backcourt. I?m intrigued to see how lineups with Bufkin, Jett Howard, and another shooter perform, especially when paired with Dickinson in the middle.
Go Blue!
