It is never easy to understand any college basketball team in early November. It certainly is not any easier when power 5 schools play low end mid majors just looking to get their name on the map. Michigan makes this extra extra difficult given that they are coming off a Final Four appearance and losing Moe Wagner. Regardless of the sport, match-ups, players, or circumstances, nobody can outperform or cheat the eye test. Sitting down and watching the game and the film, I will look to use the eye test to point out three things I like from every Michigan basketball game. Let's start by breaking down the season opening, 63-44 victory over Norfolk State.
Breaking Down the Zone
It is always tricky to dissect a zone defence in basketball, and although they are more frequently used in college hoops, it is often still a surprise to see a team set it up against you. It is tough to mimic someone else's zone in practice, meaning that it is not until game time that teams truly experience the zone at hand. Norfolk State came out in a few different sets, initially starting in a 1-3-1. Personally my favourite zone and although hard to master, the 1-3-1 requires sharp ball movement and early key penetration. John Beilein is an offensive wizard, so I was not surprised to see Michigan attack the zone from the middle. Below are two clips (Both in which I do not own the rights to, all rights to BTN) that show the importance of an entry pass, leading to a bucket over a smaller defender.
If you will be returning to read this feature throughout the year (hopefully you will), you can bet your house that this won't be the last time you see Ignas in the "Things I Liked" segment. The 6'7" beast of a Canadian freshman will try and fill the shoes of another international student that wore #13, Moe Wagner. Ignas brings with him a physicality and demeanor that is unmatched by other freshman not named Zion Williamson. The dynamic that he brings to the table is bigger than just his ability to score off the dribble and protect the paint, Brazdeikis brings to Michigan a toughness that hasn't been seen on the Wolverine roster for years. Michigan has many tough bulldog players, I'm not talking about that kind of toughness, I'm talking about a kid who is a bully and a pest in the painted area. Look for Ignas to make the highlight reel and to give the veterans a leg to stand on. Brazdeikis finished Tuesday's game with 12 points on just 3-10 shooting, but the eye test tells you that this kid will be a handful once he gets his feet under him.
Breaking Down the Zone
It is always tricky to dissect a zone defence in basketball, and although they are more frequently used in college hoops, it is often still a surprise to see a team set it up against you. It is tough to mimic someone else's zone in practice, meaning that it is not until game time that teams truly experience the zone at hand. Norfolk State came out in a few different sets, initially starting in a 1-3-1. Personally my favourite zone and although hard to master, the 1-3-1 requires sharp ball movement and early key penetration. John Beilein is an offensive wizard, so I was not surprised to see Michigan attack the zone from the middle. Below are two clips (Both in which I do not own the rights to, all rights to BTN) that show the importance of an entry pass, leading to a bucket over a smaller defender.
Ignas Brazdeikis
If you will be returning to read this feature throughout the year (hopefully you will), you can bet your house that this won't be the last time you see Ignas in the "Things I Liked" segment. The 6'7" beast of a Canadian freshman will try and fill the shoes of another international student that wore #13, Moe Wagner. Ignas brings with him a physicality and demeanor that is unmatched by other freshman not named Zion Williamson. The dynamic that he brings to the table is bigger than just his ability to score off the dribble and protect the paint, Brazdeikis brings to Michigan a toughness that hasn't been seen on the Wolverine roster for years. Michigan has many tough bulldog players, I'm not talking about that kind of toughness, I'm talking about a kid who is a bully and a pest in the painted area. Look for Ignas to make the highlight reel and to give the veterans a leg to stand on. Brazdeikis finished Tuesday's game with 12 points on just 3-10 shooting, but the eye test tells you that this kid will be a handful once he gets his feet under him.
Perimeter Defence
The 3-point shot is taking over modern basketball, and yet Michigan has never been dominant on either side of the 3-point spectrum. With this in mind, it was nice to see the Wolverines hold Norfolk State to just 3-12 (25%) from the land beyond. Now, it was just Norfolk State, but there were a lot of closeouts and long rebounds that helped Michigan get out into transition and show off some athleticism. This will be important going forward, transition buckets are precious, especially given the fact that the Michigan offence can sometimes look stagnant in the half-court. The Wolverines are chalk full of athletic bodies that should have no problem guarding all spots on the floor, so hopefully this trend continues as the schedule keeps flipping forward.
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