Simpson the key, today
I'm not a hoops guru by any means, but I can say this, that Xaviers play tonight is the most key piece to winning, for if he negates Custer, then they will be crushed. Custer is their ringleader, and this is the first team weve played that is excessively dependent on one player. This is Simpsons time, and all the pundits who left him off the All-whatever teams will reflect.
I digress....have been thinking this since February, that this is our year to win it all. Was there as a frosh season ticket holder in 1989, (and then again as a fifth year senior with the Fab Five....) and this team has that oneness again.
GO BLUE
Oneness.
March 31st, 2018 at 11:12 AM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 12:53 PM ^
does not approve of such language!
This is a thing? Tell me this isn't a thing.
They come in pairs?!?!?
Loyola doesn't strike me as all at reliant on Custer. They move the ball constantly and spread around the shots.
Simpson is always our key player on defense as far as I'm concerned. He sets the tone and is our most disruptive player by far. But I think this time Wagner is our most important player. Will Loyola be able to play their starting big against him? That will have a big impact on their offense too. If they do play him, can Moe guard him without picking up fouls?
I think Vagner* is going to have his way with him.
*phonetic
Or more probably in our case, we just got this thing against Custer standing anymore...
last stand
March 31st, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
has been the team's MVP in the BTT and NCAA Tourney. Shutting down the other team's point guards, steals, low turnovers, and making the big plays when needed most.
And most importantly - he runs the offense and drives the defense as a real leader. He is The General.
Have a great game Z - GO BLUE!
I agree. Loyola is patient and they always seemingly get off a good shot. Custer is the catalyst and key to that hapening.
OP, I love the strategically placed comma between key and today. It adds drama. Nicely done. And I agree with your sentiment, exactly.
March 31st, 2018 at 11:01 AM ^
that Rob Gray wasn't the straw that stirred Houston's drink and nearly pulled off the upset because it took a Michigan village to guard him even though Zavier discovered his chewing gum flavor early and often and did the best job on him. It was Dentyne, by the way.
March 31st, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
And it all runs through Custer. Stop him, and that ball movement will slow down...
March 31st, 2018 at 10:03 AM ^
Hell yeah. Go Blue.
March 31st, 2018 at 10:04 AM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 11:07 AM ^
Do you really think he is not practicing free throws every day? Come on man.
March 31st, 2018 at 12:58 PM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 10:05 AM ^
Z is going to lock down Custer. I just hope the shots are falling for us so it's not another nail biter at the end
March 31st, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 10:43 AM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
That's my biggest concern . . . that the refs won't let Michigan and especially Z play defense.
This is exactly the type of game where that could happen.
We need to recognize early how the game is being called and quickly adjust to it.
Anybody have a "scouting report" on tonight's refs?
March 31st, 2018 at 10:58 AM ^
The referees WILL kill this game in an effort to make sure Gramma Tootie is all over the court on Monday.
As for a scouting report on refs? This is a Michigan blog. ALL refs suck. They are out to get us!!!
And this is the second time I'll believe it. The first was the NC game against Louisville.
March 31st, 2018 at 11:07 AM ^
What would a n°1 vs n°11 do to ratings?
Cinderella getting blown out or a n°3 with a chance to make it interesting.
As all here, let's hope that the refs let the game be decided on the court.
and I like the way our staff makes adjustments. We have better depth than Loyola, so a tightly called game isn't all bad for us. This team isn't just different than past years in its defensive prowess. They are also better at driving the ball and putting pressure on defenses.
March 31st, 2018 at 11:02 AM ^
Go Blue
March 31st, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 11:17 AM ^
You never know which Mo will show up.
Or maybe with the other players playing well, Mo will be more the difference between a close game and a blowout.
We will need all the players to bring their "A" game on Monday, so hopefully this is a good tuneup and helps get their confidence up.
March 31st, 2018 at 11:29 AM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 11:43 AM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
March 31st, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
Michigan has great on the ball defenders.
Z, Matthews and MAAR are all excellent...Mo, Duncan and Teske have actually been great during this run too; blocking shots or stepping into passing lanes for steals
Loyola does turn the ball over, so i can see Michigan looking to run on transition and hit some rhythm threes in transition.
Loyola does not have rim defenders unlike TAMU or FSU, so i can see Michigan driving to the cup early and often to drag defenders down off the 3 pt line which should open up looks for our shooters.
Just gotta hit for average.