BEL: https://minnesota.rivals.com/news/behind-enemy-lines-michigan-61
Presser notes: https://minnesota.forums.rivals.com/threads/pre-michigan-presser-notes.37760/
Numbers:
Defense: Michigan pressures the ball man-to-man with tremendous help. They're well-connected: If one person gets beaten, the team concept is there to help and recover. Beilein used to run a lot of 1-3-1 but has gone away from that in recent years.
Rotation: Michigan actually has a pretty short rotation and have struggled with depth this year. If Murphy can get the Wolverines in foul trouble, that would be a big help for Minnesota.
Ignas Brazdeikis: Five-star freshman 6'7" forward who leads Michigan in scoring. He's at his best in transition and in a one-on-one situation. Beilein's philosophy of space is perfectly suited for his unique skill set. It's hard for other 4s to keep him in front of them. If the opponent goes small, he can post that player up.
Charles Matthews: Athletic wing and a former Kentucky transfer. Matthew's biggest threat is from putting the ball on the floor. He can make the outside shot, but he isn't outstanding. But if a defender has a bad angle or the pick and roll or handoff isn't played well, he will punish the defense at the rim. Very good perimeter defender, as well.
Jordan Poole: Tall shooting guard that's maybe Michigan's best shooter and highest volume shooter from beyond the arc. Very good defender (like frankly everyone else on the team), smart and reliable player.
Zavier Simpson: Cerebral point guard who's struggled to find his shooting touch this season. Creates off of ball screens often. He also shoots an old fashioned hook shot off the back board as a finishing move on the drive.
Jon Teske: 7-foot center that's at his best around the bucket, but he can also pick and pop, and can run the floor with any big man in the country. He'll shoot threes with his feet set but has been a mediocre three-point shooter this season. His length against Murphy/Oturu will be key; Murphy has struggled against tall frontcourts this season.
Isaiah Livers: I remember watching Livers play the day after Pitino offered him. He's an athletic, wide-shouldered, athletic power forward similar to Jordan Murphy, except younger. He's not quite the rebounder that Murphy is and doesn't have as excellent of a touch, but I think Livers could be All-Big Ten as an upperclassman. He's making 43% of his threes and shooting two/game this season, as well.
Eli Brooks: Traditional point guard, lower usage, and not a big scorer.
Presser notes: https://minnesota.forums.rivals.com/threads/pre-michigan-presser-notes.37760/
Numbers:
- Vegas: Michigan by 4.5
- Kenpom: Michigan No. 7, Minnesota No. 46
- Massey: Michigan No. 8, Minnesota No. 45
Defense: Michigan pressures the ball man-to-man with tremendous help. They're well-connected: If one person gets beaten, the team concept is there to help and recover. Beilein used to run a lot of 1-3-1 but has gone away from that in recent years.
Rotation: Michigan actually has a pretty short rotation and have struggled with depth this year. If Murphy can get the Wolverines in foul trouble, that would be a big help for Minnesota.
Ignas Brazdeikis: Five-star freshman 6'7" forward who leads Michigan in scoring. He's at his best in transition and in a one-on-one situation. Beilein's philosophy of space is perfectly suited for his unique skill set. It's hard for other 4s to keep him in front of them. If the opponent goes small, he can post that player up.
Charles Matthews: Athletic wing and a former Kentucky transfer. Matthew's biggest threat is from putting the ball on the floor. He can make the outside shot, but he isn't outstanding. But if a defender has a bad angle or the pick and roll or handoff isn't played well, he will punish the defense at the rim. Very good perimeter defender, as well.
Jordan Poole: Tall shooting guard that's maybe Michigan's best shooter and highest volume shooter from beyond the arc. Very good defender (like frankly everyone else on the team), smart and reliable player.
Zavier Simpson: Cerebral point guard who's struggled to find his shooting touch this season. Creates off of ball screens often. He also shoots an old fashioned hook shot off the back board as a finishing move on the drive.
Jon Teske: 7-foot center that's at his best around the bucket, but he can also pick and pop, and can run the floor with any big man in the country. He'll shoot threes with his feet set but has been a mediocre three-point shooter this season. His length against Murphy/Oturu will be key; Murphy has struggled against tall frontcourts this season.
Isaiah Livers: I remember watching Livers play the day after Pitino offered him. He's an athletic, wide-shouldered, athletic power forward similar to Jordan Murphy, except younger. He's not quite the rebounder that Murphy is and doesn't have as excellent of a touch, but I think Livers could be All-Big Ten as an upperclassman. He's making 43% of his threes and shooting two/game this season, as well.
Eli Brooks: Traditional point guard, lower usage, and not a big scorer.
