Getting To Know The Opposition - Nate Wolters
The Nate Wolters Workout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgLQOxh26iE You'll notice that he's dangerous when being guarded by a plastic trash can.
Scoring 53 points against IPFW this season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzSIbmSZ8Rg
Leading South Dakota State to a win over North Dakota State to get into the NCAA Tournament: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2GffMU1qLg
March 18th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
He's also 6'4. Burke better eat his Wheaties this week.
~Herm
March 18th, 2013 at 12:31 PM ^
him having to guard Trey Burke will also help.
that they are not very good at rebounding...
2012-13 OVERALL RANKINGS
POINTS PER GAME
REBOUNDS PER GAME
ASSISTS PER GAME
FIELD GOAL PCT
they only have 3 players on the roster over 6'6". The tallest being 6'9" and he doesn't play much. We should not get overpowered in the paint or have problems rebounding in this game.
Let's hope Burke's quickness can get penetration against his size. This is definitely an exciting matchup to see.
No doubt the dude's got game and would get minutes even in our backcourt.
HOWEVA, I was surprised how little lift he had on his jumper. The key will be stopping him from getting his shots off; if he does, he can obviously fill it.
Also, will he guard Burke? No chance in hell he can stay in front of him.
March 18th, 2013 at 10:31 AM ^
Agreed on the jumper lift aspect. I predict Burke (who I'm assuming will match up on him) gets 2-3 blocks. Wolters still outscores him, but Michigan wins comfortably.
March 18th, 2013 at 11:10 AM ^
I think it's dangerous expecting a 6'0 Burke to make up 4 inches and get several blocks on a 6'4" Wolters...I think we win, with Wolters and Burke gunning it out, with the difference being the supporting cast of UM being a lot better than SDSt.
I really want to see the pre-conference GR3 make an appearance here.
Reading around on Wolters I see him most often described as crafty, not quick, a good finisher and willing passer out of the paint who can use his dribble to create space. He lacks lateral quickness on the defensive end, gives a cushion to his man to try to compensate and his good using help defense.
It doesn't sound as if he's a threat to blow by Burke but he has 4" on him.
Wolters is a better scorer: .493 shooting%, .390 3PT%, .810 FT%
Morris: .489 shooting%, .250 3PT%, .715 FT%
March 18th, 2013 at 12:42 PM ^
Against vastly inferior competition.
(Which in theory shouldn't matter with free throws).
With a better jumper sounds about right.
i am cautiously confident that we can handle this team.
i like luke winn's analysis of it on SI.com
"Upset I Don't Like: No. 13 South Dakota State over No. 4 Michigan. Nate Wolters is a cult hero -- I wrote an ode to his brilliance in November -- and Wolters vs. Trey Burke should be quite the show. But Burke was shut down last year by a defensive-minded mid-major star (Ohio's D.J. Cooper), and Wolters is far from a lockdown guy. Nor is his team. The Jackrabbits have the fourth-worst defense in the entire bracket, which doesn't bode well for their ability to hold the Wolverines' high-powered offense in check. A fun game to watch, no doubt, but it won't be an upset."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-college-basketball-mens-tournament/ne…
March 18th, 2013 at 10:13 AM ^
He scored 34 at Washington last year while leading his team to a blowout win. He's very skilled.
I'll share this here - the team comparison stats from TeamRankings (which include the entire season, not just conference games for each team):
Key Offensive Stats
|
||
STAT
|
SDSU | MICHIGAN |
Points/Game
|
72.6 | 74.4 |
Avg Score Margin | 6.3 | 11.4 |
Assists/Game | 13.9 | 14.1 |
Total Rebounds/Gm | 34.3 | 35.2 |
Effective FG % | 53.50% | 54.40% |
Off Rebound % | 27.70% | 30.10% |
FTA/FGA | 0.335 | 0.287 |
Turnover %
|
14.30% | 12.40% |
Key Defensive Stats
|
||
Opp Points/Game
|
66.4 | 62.9 |
Opp Effective FG % | 50.90% | 47.90% |
Off Rebounds/Gm | 8.2 | 9 |
Def Rebounds/Gm | 23.5 | 23 |
Blocks/Game | 2.2 | 2.8 |
Steals/Game | 5.1 | 6 |
Personal Fouls/Gm | 14.3 | 13.1 |
Also, for those interested - and hopefully I did this right - here is a comparison of Burke and Wolters set up in StatSheet. (LINK)
March 18th, 2013 at 10:03 AM ^
Levert will get the call to guard Wolters I'm sure.
Spike will be needed to help out on VCU's press.
Burke will have to be his usualy self and carry the offense but these to frosh and their play will go a long way to determining UM's chances. Not looking forward to a VCU matchup.
March 18th, 2013 at 10:30 AM ^
March 18th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
If Michigan loses in the first weekend I will eat my hat. South Dakota State could be THE most athletically limited team in the tourney. Poor man's Arkansas doesn't exactly scare me either. After playing a full B1G schedule, I do not think Michigan will believe how easy it is to score on these guys. I'm looking for something in the range of a 90-60 win. Maybe 75-60 over VCU/Akron.
March 18th, 2013 at 10:46 AM ^
They play 7 guys and suck at defense. Guard the 3, box out, and then run them into submission. We may hang a hundy on these guys.
March 18th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^
Looking over the statistics and some film, South Dakota State honestly reminds me quite a bit of Michigan--a "poor-man's" Michigan if you will. Here are the similarities:
STRENGTHS:
- Strong PG Play - led by arguably the 2 best PG in the country and All-Americans; both can shoot, both can penetrate, both can find the open man
- Efficient Offense - neither team plays a ton of possessions (could partially be to average rebounding as well), but are very efficient
- Low Turnovers - both teams take care of the ball
- Guard/Perimeter Play - both teams are perimeter-oriented (all good teams are in my mind) and can shoot
WEAKNESSES:
- Defense - both are average or below average; neither team fouls very much or forces many turnovers; lack of aggression/intensity on defensive end allows for easy looks/baskets
- Rebounding - both are average or below average; South Dakota State is small and not really athletic; Michigan's issues seem to be with physicality
What I really like about this matchup for Michigan is that Michigan is better than South Dakota State in each of those areas, against MUCH tougher competition. Michigan has a better PG, is more efficient offensively, lower turnovers, better wings, better defense, and better rebounding. Not only that, but the game is being played in Michigan's back yard, and while I don't think playing in Auburn Hills should be considered "home court" (nothing compares to playing on your actual home court), it is a definite advantage.
I am excited for the Burke-Wolters matchup. Wolters should be able to get shots over Burke, but shouldn't be able to get by him without a ball screen, whereas Burke should have his way in the lane against South Dakota State. I would play LeVert in heavy doses on Thursday and have him stick to Wolters--do NOT help off of him; make others beat you. Double Wolters off the ball screen and make him give it up and then run shooters off the line. Burke has struggled on defense this year OFF the ball (caught ball watching), but is an exxcellent on-ball defender and could give Wolters fits. Offense should not be a problem for us in this game, so I actually hope LeVert gets more minutes over Stauskas in this game (doubt he will). Stauskas loses his man too much--even when the scouting report says all his guy does is shoot spot-up threes (Brust)--and it will hurt us against South Dakota State. Don't think we blow them out, but believe we win comfortably by double digits (10-15 points).
March 18th, 2013 at 11:03 AM ^
We can dominate the offensive glass, they're not very athletic and they're not a good rebounding team. I could see GRIII getting back into pre-conference form and dominating with his athleticism. Wolters has over 5 RPG and is one of their top rebounders. I, personally, don't think it's a good sign when your PG is one of your leading rebounders. It's kind of similar to your cornerback in football being one of your leading tacklers. It's cool for his stats, but not good for the team
March 18th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
Those highlights literally look like those guys are moving in slow motion, after having watched a full B1G slate.
/SEC'd
March 18th, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^
March 18th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
It depends on whether their role players are any good. If there are other guys who can REALLY hurt you, then you can't sell out to stop the main guy. If Wolters is their only real threat, then I think you sell out to stop him and hope the other guys can't handle the pressure of making shots, handling the ball, etc.
March 18th, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^
Selling out to stop Wolters probably involves playing Caris Levert a lot more, which takes us out of our normal game....Being the more talented team, you play your game unless/until you see that will unequivocally not work.
March 18th, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^
Oakland's Greg Kampe decided to guard everyone else, and he scored 36, but Oakland won the game-
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130318/SPORTS0203/303180352/Q-Mich…
March 18th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^
They have 3 others who average over 10 PPG. I really don't know much about how talented they are though. I'd have to say key on Wolters, and if someone else gets hot, then we adjust. We don't want him getting hot IMO.
March 18th, 2013 at 12:31 PM ^
As long as SDSU doesn't go off from 3, I don't see an upset being likely. Their defense is significantly more awful than ours which equals lots of points. Look out for GRIII dunkfest
March 18th, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^
This game looks like a terrific matchup for Michigan.