Michigan Friday: Burning Down The Barn

Detroit News-Jim Mone AP

Michigan Basketball is a very interesting squad.   They are very consistent with a strong defense but their offense is seemly lead by a different person each game.   It had been Charles Matthews who over the last 3 game has been averaging 18 points per.   He went for 9 last night.  

Which means Jordan Poole stepped up and hit 5 3-point shots and totaled 22 points.  Outside of some poor free throw shooting at the end, Jordan hopefully had a slump busting game.   Teske also shook off a slump and added 17 points of his own.

I've watched most of the games this year and I think I finally get this team on the offensive side of the ball.

• Michigan will get a solid game offensively from either Matthews or Poole.   
• Teske is going to give you somewhere from 8-17 points a night 
• Simpson will give you about 8 a night
• Livers will hit 2 - 3 pointers  

The X factor in Michigan's offensive game is Iggy.  If he is missing 3's and missing his low post dribble drive game, the Wolverines are in trouble.   Iggy went for 10 last night, it wasn't a great performance but it was needed.  If he can give Michigan 10-20 points and the above bullets stay consistent, Michigan will be a tough out in the BIG 10 and NCAA tournaments.   If Iggy throws up goose eggs, the run will be a short one.  

Last night was a solid win against a NCAA bubble team who needed a big win at home.   Michigan's offense was ugly at times and great at time.  Their defense as always, was very solid.    The end of the game was sloppy and something Coach B will need to work on.    The win sets up a nice instate battle against MSU on Sunday for the Big Ten lead. 

• Simpson is a semi-finalist for national defensive player of the year.