UMinSF

December 1st, 2018 at 4:05 PM ^

Simpson is playing great d, but his offense has been a bit sloppy. Had his pocket picked a couple of times, and seems to be dribbling high.

Not complaining, because his defense has been superb

J.

December 1st, 2018 at 4:09 PM ^

I’m not saying it’s been an up-and-down game, but the under-4 timeout just happened with 31 seconds left.

Purdue scored 16 points on their first 12 possessions.  They’ve scored 12 on the next 21, including 10 consecutive empty possessions.  Michigan seems to be able to make first-half defensive adjustments.  Yaklich is building a monster. :)

UMinSF

December 1st, 2018 at 4:16 PM ^

Hard to say what's been better for us today - offense or defense. We're raining threes, and playing with some great tempo. Defense (especially Z) is doing a great job.

Another incredible half of basketball. Now let's finish them off!

M-Dog

December 1st, 2018 at 4:18 PM ^

Man, basketball broadcasts flow so much better than football broadcasts.

If this was a football game, it would still be in the middle of the 1st quarter.

Princetonwolverine

December 1st, 2018 at 4:18 PM ^

In other news, UCF is down to Memphis 21-7 in the 1st Quarter.

Maybe we do want to play them.

J.

December 1st, 2018 at 4:21 PM ^

34.5 first half possessions (Michigan gets the extra possession on the late steal).  Michigan cools off from nearly 2 ppp through 16 possessions to a “mere” 1.26 ppp for the half.  Purdue started out hot and then got shut down; 0.82 ppp (!) for the half.

Purdue shooting 36.8% on 2s and 33.3% on 3s — 41.9% eFG; Michigan, 47.0% on 2s and 60% (!) on 3s for 67.2% eFG.  That’s the story of the game; other factors are pretty much even: Michigan with a 17% turnover rate (Purdue: 20.6%) and a 26.7% OREB rate (Purdue 26.3%).  Michigan 1/2 from the line; Purdue 2/2.

Figure a slightly faster second half; if Michigan can get to 70, I think they wrap it up even if Purdue plays much better on offense.

J.

December 1st, 2018 at 4:28 PM ^

Oh, without question; plus Purdue definitely got flustered late in the first half.

I basically just do these halftime numbers as a worst-case reasonable scenario.  I picked 1.1 ppp on 38 possessions, which would probably represent Michigan’s worst defensive half of the season.  As good as Michigan’s defense is, I don’t know that they can hold Purdue to 0.82 ppp in the second half also.  Although I’d love to see it. :)

Go Blue!