UM Fan from Sydney

March 27th, 2018 at 6:19 PM ^

Someone said that to me the other day. Had a M hoodie on and some dumb ass goes “Big blue got to the Final Four, eh?” I said “no, Kentucky didn’t make it this year” and walked away.

jmblue

March 27th, 2018 at 5:26 PM ^

Dictate the pace. Michigan has the ability to win playing slow or fast and loose, but they prefer to manage their scoring into the mid-70s. When the games are in the low 60s or below, they tend to have a little trouble.
The author is confusing scoring with pace. Sure, if we don't score a lot of points we're less likely to win (surprise), but that doesn't mean we want to want to push the tempo. Per Kenpom we're actually slower-paced (326th) than Loyola (315th). We're just more efficient offensively (31st to their 60th).

M-Dog

March 27th, 2018 at 5:44 PM ^

After "Big Blue" and the split block M, I didn't think I would learn much of anything, but I actually did:

Michigan is 14-3 in games where Wagner has four or more fouls, and 3-0 in his three disqualifications.

Wow, maybe we should relish his first foul as much as his first 3 pointer.

 

Wolverinefan84

March 27th, 2018 at 5:46 PM ^

These guys talk about Michigan's regular season conference performance like it's the Missouri Valley and they're the Power 5 team. Not to mention "winning the big ten tourney seems to go a long way with the committee." Clearly he doesn't remember when we got burned with a 7 seed last year.

 

I hope we run these little shits out of the gym.

victors2000

March 28th, 2018 at 7:34 AM ^

I respect what they've done up until now but beating Tennessee, Nevada, and Kansas State does not put them in the same strata as us. Them winning their conference tournament and championship is not an improvement on us winning our tournament. There is always the chance we'll be eating Crow but here's to us showing them they're been wearing slippers come Saturday.

Maize and Luke

March 27th, 2018 at 6:07 PM ^

I hate feeling so confident but I just don't see how this game can favor Loyola in any way. Where are the mismatches in their favor? Where are the metrics in their favor? They will have to shoot the lights out again like against KSU. So we know it's possible but that has to be their only chance, right? Right?!?

M-Dog

March 27th, 2018 at 7:16 PM ^

Right.

They can win by shooting the lights out.  As can many teams.  And they are good at that.

But they can't win the kind of games we have been winning where you're not shooting the lights out but your defense is keeping you in it anyway.

They don't win a Houston / FSU type game.

 

MGoFoam

March 27th, 2018 at 6:07 PM ^

During the season, Loyola did well against mostly high school teams. Michigan sometimes doesn't win when it shoots poorly. Loyola tends to win when their opponent shoots poorly. Is this Sister Jean's scouting report?

JMo

March 27th, 2018 at 6:08 PM ^

Like the writer of this article, I too have not seen any games our opponent has played and have a very basic understanding of the game that is basketball. As a response, I have decided to pen a preview for this Saturday's game.

 

NCAA Preview vs Loyola - 3-31-18

Saturday, March 31, 2018 - 5:09 p.m.
The Alamodome, San Antonio, Tex

After reaching the Final Four for the first time in school history, the Ramblers of Loyola Chicago are descending upon the Alamodome in San Antonio. Like the stadium the two teams are playing in, the Ramblers are looking to ding and dent their way to a win, just like the famed car rental retailer Alamo Rental Car - "They'll Pick You Up!" The Ramblers generally start the game with 5 players and look to try to score the baskets early and often on offense. The team, led by a cagey nun named Jean (#98) come into this game after having beaten four other teams in the NCAA tournament. Their colors are the same as that of the infamous hip-hop-Harry Potter and their fans are known to attend a bar in Chicago to watch the team's games when they are in the NCAA tournament. The 'Ramblin' Ramblers most likely won a conference tournament to gain entry into this year's NCAA tournament, and if they can win six games, they're optimistic they can be awarded the National Championship.

Keys to the game:

Hold Loyola to less than 10 points! - While this has never been in the modern era by Michigan, it would go a long way toward winning this game.

Pass the ball on offense - Statistically Michigan has won all 32 games this year when they passed the ball on offense at least once per game.

Chitown Kev

March 27th, 2018 at 6:10 PM ^

(a publication that I used to write theater reviews for) would ever do a piece on conflicted...possibly...Michigan fans at Loyola but tha is a piece that I would love to see...While Loyola gets students from far and wide, many of them come from Illinois and the Midwest...since there is no football team there., Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame games were always beeing shon at the Student Union

lhglrkwg

March 27th, 2018 at 6:59 PM ^

I like Z playing defense on anyone at this point. Plus, I'm not sure I see their big man doing much down low. We're going to be the best team they've played this season and I assume the best defensive team they've played. I could see them continuing their tourney magic, but I could just as easily see them getting into a frustarting, low scoring evening