bluestaffah

March 19th, 2017 at 10:30 PM ^

M doesn't seem to have that mentality...yet. With the improvement on defense, rebounding has to be next, right? Over the last couple of years Donnal has been getting abused under the basket. Ricky was all over the yard but most often he at least looked for someone to put a body on but the more athletic guys would slip by him, the bigger guys would push him under the basket for easy pickings. Wilson and Mo are coming on but neither are dominant wide bodies in the paint. Mo isn't much of a leaper either. You can't rebound with much finesse, get in position and want it more than the opposition. I get more discouraged by the number of times M has no guys on the offensive window. I would like to see more following of the shots. It's like hockey, crash the net and food things happen. They learn to crash the boards and you may be right... juggernaut.

Joined: 09/24/2013

MGoPoints: 3445

Magnum P.I.

March 19th, 2017 at 11:34 PM ^

Thanks for all the responses. Interesting. I've watched enough Beilein to understand that the lack of offensive rebounding is by design, choosing instead to get back on D quickly. But with defensive rebounding...

I can see how prioritizing stopping the 3 on defense would make you vulnerable to dribble penetration, which makes you vulnerable to offensive rebounds. Makes sense. Louisville was in the paint a ton today, but they only shot 5-20 from 3. Maybe that's the payoff for giving up so many second-chance points? The other payoff is having offensively talented, diverse big men--like someone said, there aren't many college PF/Cs like McGary who are skilled and thick. 

 

Joined: 07/16/2009

MGoPoints: 30781

pescadero

March 20th, 2017 at 10:50 AM ^

"Why are we so bad at rebounding on the defensive end? Are our big men just inept at boxing out? Are our big men physically overmatched? Does our defensive scheme put us in poor position to rebound missed shots?"

 

Yes. All of the above are largely true.

 

We're not real athletic, we're not real good at boxing out, and our scheme is conducive to poor rebounding.

 

 

Joined: 03/28/2013

MGoPoints: 12165

KennyHiggins

March 19th, 2017 at 10:00 PM ^

Sure feels like we will be the 9:30 game (8:30 KC time).  Expect many in our fanbase will be good and lit, and ready for a healthy serving of Duck soup

Joined: 12/03/2016

MGoPoints: 12504

BLHoke

March 19th, 2017 at 10:41 PM ^

I was telling my brother after they completed the BTT run that this team was one my top 3 favorite Michigan basketball teams I've ever watched, and I've been alive for the NC in 89', The Fab 5 & The Burke-led Bunch... Much like the 2011 Sugar Bowl squad led by Denard & Co, which was one of my favorite football seasons as well, they weren't without their flaws, but they were resilient, clutch, and a lot of fun to watch. Now that they've made it to the Sweet 16, it could all end against the Ducks and I still think they take over the top spot overall. I don't want to be a prisoner of the moment, but I love these kids, I love this coach. They've brought me so much irrational joy over the past month and I'm so proud to be a fan.

Joined: 08/17/2011

MGoPoints: 5018

BLHoke

March 19th, 2017 at 10:22 PM ^

I'm not saying either one would have been a cake walk or that they weren't capable of beating us... But I think I prefer this matchup. Oregon just recently lost a key piece to their lineup and they're probably still trying to figure out the best way to fill that void. URI was looking pretty impressive for an 11 seed, and it seems like the deeper the "Cinderella's" get in these tourney's, the more momentum and confidence they gain. But hey man, I was thrilled with the BTT banner, this is all cake and ice cream for me!!!

Joined: 08/17/2011

MGoPoints: 5018

stephenrjking

March 19th, 2017 at 10:37 PM ^

I was confident about this matchup this afternoon, which can mean only one thing: I haven't had time to think about it yet, to turn Oregon over and create in my mind a monstrous Oregon team that will wreck all before it, the way most Michigan opponents end up.

I still feel like this is a very winnable game, with Oregon not playing to weaknesses of Michigan the way that Louisville or even Ok State did, but honestly that's a feeling with very little evidence behind it. The 5-10 minutes that I've watched Oregon basketball this season just haven't given me enough data to overcome what is otherwise a mind vacant of basketball knowledge.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20144031

coachdad

March 20th, 2017 at 11:14 AM ^

I must admit with shame that I picked Louisville to win. There have been too many times that I have picked my bracket with Maize and blue glasses and it has bit me in the butt. I will no longer doubt this team. I could give a crap less about my bracket as long as Michigan keeps winning. I made the comment to my dad this weekend that there are two outcomes that could make me give up my bracket:

1. Michigan win

2. Kentucky loss

Almost got both wishes. GO BLUE!!!

Joined: 12/10/2015

MGoPoints: 194