Big Ten/ACC Challenge; UNC@Michigan 9:30 ESPN

Submitted by J. on November 28th, 2018 at 7:32 PM

The Big Ten / ACC Challenge is tied at 4-4 going into the last day of play tonight.  Your schedule:

  • Rutgers @ Miami, ESPNU, Now (YTM 13, Rutgers 6; 12:00 remaining in the 1st)
  • Syracuse @ OSU, ESPN2, Now (OSU 14, Syracuse 9; 14:00 remaining in the 1st)
  • Virginia @ Maryland, ESPN, About to Tip
  • Purdue @ Florida State, ESPN2, 9:15 PM
  • Ga Tech @ Northwestern, ESPNU, 9:15 PM
  • UNC @ Michigan, ESPN, 9:30 PM

Go Blue!

runandshoot

November 28th, 2018 at 10:25 PM ^

How they can't make free throws is mind-boggling. Michigan is shooting better from 3 than they are from the free-throw line.

That being said, with that defense, this team can play with anyone. If Michigan doesn't win the Big Ten and the Big Ten Tourney, I'll be really surprised.

Bambi

November 28th, 2018 at 10:26 PM ^

FTs were an issue and will continue to be. 2 fouls on Livers/Iggy is a concern too. Missing easy layups should get fixed, Poole hopefully just got his mind right, and the D has played great since the first 5 minutes. Really encouraging first half.

Indy Pete - Go Blue

November 28th, 2018 at 10:27 PM ^

Eli Brooks has an important identity on this team. He’s the catch and shoot 3 point sniper who plays solid defense and can also get into the paint.  Who saw that before the season started?  ( besides Beilein the wizard of course)

Bambi

November 28th, 2018 at 10:46 PM ^

Yeah it looks like a PG by committee when Z isn't on with Poole, Matthews and Brooks running offense. If anyone can play that much it's Z, but it'd be nice if we could give him more time to rest during the season and develop a backup in case of foul trouble. If DD can even just be servicable, Brooks/Simmons from last year, that's big.

rob6reid

November 28th, 2018 at 10:28 PM ^

I’m really liking Teske matching up on Maye. Maye is a stretch 5 that can shoot, but he’s not very athletic/quick and has short limbs. Teske’s length is really bothering him and he’s also quick enough to close out on Maye. Also not allowing Maye to body him up in the post

Novak-blood

November 28th, 2018 at 10:30 PM ^

Once again, the free throw shooting is .. a concern. Finish 6 or 7 missed layups/dunks & shoot FTs adequately, and we're up by 15. Love the overall poise, though. Could have easily gotten rattled a time or two, but nope.

J.

November 28th, 2018 at 10:32 PM ^

Basically, the first half went nearly as poorly as possible and Michigan is... up four.  It feels like UNC is lucky to be that close (refs don't know what a charge is, off-balance shots falling, etc.)

They may need 75 points to win, but that doesn't seem out of the question...

Go Blue!

footballguy

November 28th, 2018 at 10:36 PM ^

True. To be fair, basketball refs love make up calls. There was a foul where Teske, to me at least, just fell down into a UNC player who just happened to be in the way of him falling down and they called a foul on UNC. I knew right then there would be a bad call on Michigan.

AZBlue

November 28th, 2018 at 10:40 PM ^

Early season/ halftime thoughts.

As many have said - this is going to be a fun team to watch win or lose.

Seems like Poole may be our “worst” defender of the starters.  Still good in a team sense imo, but the one player teams try to take one on one.  Teske really stepping up on D even from last year.

Poole also seems to be the most “work in process” of the starters on offense.  Definitely trying to build his distribution and driving skills but doesn’t seem completely comfortable yet.  Nice to see Iggy offering an alternative to Matthews on late shot creation.  I apparently do not know enough about the game to understand Simpson.  It seems like he can score at the rim “at will” but doesn’t push for that often.  If Teske ever gets the 3-point stroke to work in a game situation...watch out!

FT woes still a mystery to me.