GBMWolverine Basketball Review/Preview: Wake Up Call Received – Michigan and Memphis
Posted at 6:00am — 11/22/2011
GBMWolverine Basketball Review/Preview: Wake Up Call Received – Michigan and Memphis
Site: Lahaina, Hawaii (Lahaina Civic Center)
Event: 2011 EA Sports Maui Invitational
Duke vs. Michigan
7:00pm – 9:00pm Eastern Time
DirecTV Channel 206
ESPN
A very athletic Memphis team fell prey to some good basketball by the Michigan team in beautiful Maui, Hawaii. Small gym, big time teams, and strange things early in the season make this tournament a must watch for basketball junkies.
Michigan came out with more purpose than during the past three preseason games and got off to a good start. Memphis used some athletic play to make a couple of big runs.
Michigan made the game more cerebral and deliberate by going to a 2-3 zone, a strategy used last year with the arrival of the new staff members, and Memphis did not respond well. Instead of Michigan missing tons of long threes and having Memphis turn the game into a track meet, the opposite happened. Memphis did not handle the zone all that well and took some off balance shots leading to quick opportunities for Michigan.
Memphis was held to 33% from the field and an insignificant 20% from behind the line. Michigan on the other hand shot an incredible 70% from two-point land, proving this strategy can actually pay off.
Hardaway Junior who took charge and scored a season high 21 points led Michigan. Smotrycz played with more purpose on the defensive end and rebounded well. Trey Burke continues to demonstrate he will contribute this year. He will not make up for the loss of Morris but he possesses skills Michigan has lacked. The center position scored ten points and did a nice job inside, good enough to hold Michigan in a game against good competition.
Memphis and Michigan showed why ratings at this time of year are tricky, excepting powers like North Carolina that will be in the hunt from start to finish baring injuries. Coaches hold their breath after long flights to see how a team plays in the opener. The opener serves as a momentum check, positive or negative.
The win earns Michigan a rematch against Duke and the game will be much different than today’s Memphis game. Duke will be more deliberate, running when the advantage presents itself. The ball will go inside to the Plumlee’s and the game managers will be very good guards in Dawkins and Curry. Duke will attempt to get to the foul line and today the Wolverines gave up tons of fouls and foul shots. Every day is different, but that stat is not a good omen.
If Michigan plays as if this is THE game, the Wolverines can hang with the Dukies. History has shown that Michigan has had difficulty playing two games on consecutive days against good opposition. Beilein loses his teaching and preparation time and it becomes athletes on athletes. This favors Duke.
Michigan has no reason to back off and let Duke put a slam job on the Wolverines. There is enough experience and talent to play tough. It may come down to how much punishment the inside guys of Michigan can absorb and still keep Michigan afloat.
While ratings this early may not make a season, two losses in this tournament can put a dent in the early national ranking. Michigan will not enjoy the cerebral and preparation factor that may have been present against Memphis. Each point and small success will be ground out only with effort and execution. Regardless, playing Duke can provide some valuable lessons, win or lose.
Good luck to the Blue.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!