 |
| 15minutenews.com |
Michigan can't play like that tonight and win the National Championship. The joy and relief of winning the Final 4 game was quickly lessen after Villanova shot Kansas out of the building. Villanova looked like Michigan in the Texas A&M game and we know that type of streaking shooting can come and go quickly. Every person on the Villanova can shoot and this game will be the toughest Michigan has had all year.
If Michigan is going to stay in the game, MAAR and Simpson have to play better then they did against Loyola and Robinson will need to score 16 or more points. MAAR's shooting is the key for this game, if he struggles again from the field, it could be a long night for the Wolverines.
Simpson's turnovers and forced shots seemed a bit strange against Loyola. He will have open looks again tonight and I hope he looks to drive and dish rather then shoot the 3. I also expect he will run the offense better then he did on Saturday.
One of the hero's from Saturday was Jordan Poole. He came off the bench and gave the Wolverines a lift on some dribble drive layups and his unlimited swag. Michigan will again need him tonight and I hope he can impact the game, #belikeSpike tonight!
Michigan is an underdog tonight and should be. The Wolverines have only shot the ball well once in the tournament and will need to find their range tonight. It's important they continue their defense and shoot the ball to be competitive in this game. Villanova is a very good deep team and will score even if they don't shoot like they did on Saturday. Michigan has to shoot the 3 to be in the game in the 2nd half.
Michigan also has to have solid performances from every player:
Simpson - Run the offense, play your elite D, limit turnovers
MAAR - Play like a senior, shoot the 3 well, lead the team through the storm
Wagner - Stay hot, get looks in the post, limit your 3 attempts, stay out of foul trouble
Matthews - Be athletic on both sides of the ball, rebound, dribble drives, limit the 3
Robinson - Be confident from 3, don't miss this opportunity, play like there is no tomorrow
Poole - Keep up the swag, play smart, keep everyone up!
Teske - Don't forget your 7 feet on defense!, rebound, get 3 blocks!
Simmons - This is why your transferred! stay in the moment, play smart
Livers & Watson - Play smart, get boards and loose balls
Whatever happens tonight, this has been a great run and it feels so good to have your team play at a championship level. Coach B and Team you have made your fan base very proud. Have fun, play with a clear mind, and compete tonight. We have your back no matter what! Enjoy the night!
Coach B is one win short of 800 wins. I'm just saying!
 |
| Go Blue! |
- Insiders are saying that Ole' Miss has actually responded negatively on the players that transferred being eligible right away. This is a complete reversal on what Michigan and the lawyer representing the players were expecting. The expectation was that Ole Miss would stand down due to the NCAA Violations and support the players being eligible with the NCAA. That didn't happen and now Patterson's eligibility could be in question. The NCAA has the final verdict and they don't need Mississippi's support, but many believed it was a slam dunk with it.
2 comments:
Interestingly enough, I know Villanova basketball pretty well and maybe even more than I wanted to know but I live in the area so I've watched them all season long, year after year. Philly has just won the Super bowl so the "expert" talking heads here are believing that that energy will translate to the other area sports teams.
Villanova is a good team and they have an outstanding coach much like John Beilein, and like John Beilein, Villanova takes care of the goose that lays the golden eggs. He's been approached by other programs but he's not planning on going anywhere.
Villanova is the best team (head and shoulders) in the Big East Conference and far better than Xavier with all of its notoriety. However, in spite of what other "experts" may think, Michigan will be the BEST team that Villanova has played this season and that includes a good Kansas team.
When Villanova plays a good/solid team, they normally do not put together two dominating halves. Villanova had games where they would have a very strong half (first or second) and maintain for the other half. Their strongest rivals would usually make adjustments and make a run but because these teams aren't as balanced with the shooters that Villanova has (or even Michigan) they've fallen short.
Plus, Villanova in spite of their record (like many teams) struggle just a little away from their home court. Three of their four losses came on the visitor's court and one at home when they've played solid teams. Even their four closest wins have been either on their opponent's court or on a neutral court, and again against solid but not great teams.
My point here is that Villanova is no doubt an outstanding team and deserves to be in the championship game...and they are deserving of the hype, however, they've dominated lesser teams by shooting the lights out and their opponets couldn't play strong enough defense. Butler's win came when both teams shot the lights out and Butler was on their home court with a hyped up crowd. However, Butler couldn't take their game on the road for their second match up.
Villanova has rarely been in a dog fight this season but the eight closest games played by Villanova's strongest opponents (except Kansas) when Villanova was either on the road or on a neutral court the opponents have been able to play with them winning 50% of the time or lose by keeping it a one or two possession game at the end. In other words, Villanova is vulnerable when playing against strong opponents in a close game when they play away from home.
I am not predicting anything this evening, all I know is that Michigan will be the strongest team Villanova has faced with a strong all around game. Plus, Michigan has had to play (IMO) a stronger bracket of teams than Villanova to get here (Iron sharpening iron). Moreover, they are on a neutral court and because of Michigan's stronger national alumni base, there could be much more Michigan fans there than Villanova fans (which could give Michigan a home like court advantage). Therefore, if the officiating is not an issue, then Michigan has more than a 50% chance of winning this game.
Nevertheless, here's hoping for a Michigan win tonight. Go Blue!!! IMHO!!!
Wow! Michigan didn't play well. Some would say that Villanova had something to do with that. In any case, Michigan has a bright future.
FWIW, this is absolutely my last posting. My rants end here. I've enjoyed it. Be well. IMHO!!!
Post a Comment