GBMW: Michigan Basketball -- Marquette Wrap-up -- Alabama Preview

GBMW: Michigan Basketball -- Marquette Wrap-up -- Alabama Preview

In the last column a warning was sounded that Marquette was playing really well and likely would give Michigan match-up problems on the court. Well, that became the obvious to anyone watching Friday’s game from Orlando.

The same problems that cropped up at the beginning of last year returned in force (or did the problems ever truly leave?). Even with a small team, Marquette out rebounded Michigan in both halves. An under 70 percent performance at the foul line is not remotely close to the potential percentage these guys should make, and have in the past. As of now only six players are getting big numbers in the rotation and both Gibson and Wright must step it up to support the inside game.

Marquette played with a lot of pressure, on and off the ball, and that may have contributed to Michigan’s poor 3-point shooting, Tired legs and a lack of focus could also have contributed. But this group of players should never shoot 15% from behind the arc.

There is still softness in the defense and Michigan still has not fully mastered pressure. At times this team still needs a GPS to find Sims. Amazing the tallest guy on the court gets shut out in the second half by a much smaller team.

There simply must be more to the Michigan offense that shoot a three or drive to the hoop after a fake at the arc.

Coaches never want teams to peak early, but wins in events like this are gold in the selection bank. There is no need to panic but Michigan needs to lay it all on the line tomorrow against Alabama.

And so that brings the discussion to Sunday’s game with Alabama. The Crimson Tide has lost to Cornell and Florida State. Cornell is pretty good and Florida State is really good, good enough to go a long way come March.

Alabama basketball is now under the direction of first- year coach Tony Grant. His style of play is one of those 94 feet of hell games that some teams despise to play against. UM had better come ready to step up the intensity, because that will be Alabama’s game. The pressure on offense comes from fast transition, ala Michigan State, and the pressure on defense comes from everything and everybody.

Alabama, like the rest of the SEC. has been little down lately. But regardless of anything else, Alabama always has a very athletic team. If Bama gets its way on the boards the results can be brutal. Two 6’9 players (Knox and Green) will see the floor for a good part of the game together.

The stats (early on, yes indeed) are about normal for a big time conference team: 45% field goals; 67% foul line, and 35 % from the three-point line. Bama does have one shooter, Brock, who can lite it up like a pinball machine if given open shots from poor rotation or not getting back soon enough. Coach B. is well aware of this, but we will all see how the arc defense plays out.

If history follows, Torrence, Green, and Brock are the biggest threats to Michigan Sunday. This game is winnable by both teams. Hopefully Michigan still has some burning tail-feathers and comes out tomorrow with more intensity, poise, and execution. If UM wants to beat an athletic team like Alabama, the guys are going to have to perform some dirty work and park the clean corporate image for the day. Bama’s intent will be making the game a game of willpower and toughness.

Sounds a little like the Big Ten, eh?

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Written by Doc4blu