Michigan will take the court on Saturday at 6:00 EST for another historic Final 4 game. This game will be against the Cinderella Story of the tournament 11 seed Loyola-Chicago that is lead by a 98 year old Nun Sister Jean. Who now has T-Shirts and Bobble Heads in her likeness.
Michigan has the largest base of alumni in the US and that might be the only folks that are rooting for the Wolverines on Saturday night. Many basketball fans will be rooting for The Fighting Sister Jean's and I'm OK with that.
Loyola has been "playing with house money" all tournament and it has showed in their approach. They have shot the ball very well and played solid defense. Like I mentioned early in the week, this team is very similar to a Coach Beilein squad. So Coach B should know how to defend it, right?
Loyola plays small ball even when their 6'9 center is on the court. They go really small when he isn't. This team wants to shoot the ball from 3 and dripple drive for easy layups or dish to the wings for open 3 point shots. That's it folks, that is how they want to win the game. Spread the floor, shoot well which should open up the lane for easy drives.
Here is the deal about shooting the ball, sometimes your team gets cold. We have seen it for 3 games in the NCAA tournament, against A&M when Michigan shot well, the game was over in the first 10 minutes.
So does this game come down to who shoots better from 3? Yes and No. The 3 ball in my opinion is the only way Loyola stays in this game.
Loyola turns the ball over a ton and with Michigan's new strong defense, we expect that trend to continue. Michigan also has the miss match size with Wagner and Teske to get easy looks down low. Loyola doesn't block shots and has to stay with Michigan's shooters, so it should be a lay up line for the Wolverines down low. If Loyola turns the ball over a bunch and Michigan can run, this will be a one sided game.
I expect Wagner to have a big night (not shooting 3's) in the post. I also expect Matthews athleticism to get him those easy lay ups and mid-range jumpers that he loves. Teske should get plenty of looks down low and should have around 12 points off the bench. If Michigan can shoot the 3 ball at all, that should equal a long night for the Ramblers.
Simpson will lock down one of the Rambler guards and I expect big nights from the seniors MAAR and Robinson as they know this is their last chance at basketballromance. The stage will also be very large for the Ramblers who are used to playing in small gyms and arenas.
I like Michigan in this game by 10 points.
- Michigan pulled the plug on the VA Tech home and home yesterday. Though I love the idea of the match-up, Michigan can't continue playing the toughest schedule in the country every year. #More home games! Michigan replaced them with Arkansas State for a home game.
- Reports are that Kareem Walker made it back to practice yesterday. Sounds like he has been dealing with an injury.
- Ohio DE Gabe Newburg a 3 star DE is visiting this weekend and will be on commit watch!
- Here is a visitors list at "Touch the Banner" for this weekend
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