Michigan Basketball: Purdue at Michigan — Preview
Posted at 12:00pm — 1/30/2014
Michigan Basketball: Purdue at Michigan — Preview
Beware The Dogs
It is not easy to understand, the phenomena of the “second division teams” biting the big dogs. Just last night Ohio State and Wisconsin received nasty bites. Time will tell if the bites limit chances of making a run for the Big Ten title.
Jan 22, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) goes to the basket in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Crisler Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsToday Purdue visits Crisler Arena. Purdue was listed as a team that needs some help to make the tournament. The Boilers are still hanging in contention with a 3-4 league record. A win at Michigan would float the Boiler boat out of the sink mode, at least temporarily.
Backing up the above thinking is this quote from the Purdue official site:
Chance to Build the Resume:
“From here on out, every game is important for the Boilermakers and their chances of building their resume for a postseason surge. Six of Purdue’s last 11 games come against ranked foes with four of them being on the road. The other five contests come at Penn State (who Purdue defeated by one in Mackey Arena on Jan. 18), a good Minnesota team at home (Minnesota owns wins over Ohio State and Wisconsin), at home against rival Indiana, at Nebraska (who has beaten Ohio State and Minnesota at home and lost by one to Michigan) and home vs. Northwestern (which beat Purdue in double overtime last week).”
Jan 25, 2014; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Terone Johnson (0) shoots the ball during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Mackey Arena. Wisconsin won 72-58. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY SportsTerone and Ronnie Johnson have played well against Michigan in the past. Seven- footer A. J. Hammons is bound to cause some trouble early on, hopefully not later on in the evening. Bryson Scott is a very talented freshman averaging close to double figures.
Purdue is 13-7, which is currently in the mixer for Big Ten teams that move on to the tournament. The biting dogs have provided Purdue help. Now hopefully Michigan does not provide further help.
Purdue plays tough defense, but look for Michigan to push the ball and try and tire out the Boilers to make a second half push. Purdue will attack the paint and throw up the threes if the shot is lightly contested.
Michigan needs to dig down of defense and make Purdue work hard. If Purdue swings the ball and ends up taking shots in the last five seconds, Michigan has played good defense.
There is no rest for the weary, especially considering how Michigan State somehow escaped Iowa. Run and get in the flow: this will be the mantra of Michigan. Bet on Purdue valuing perimeter defense and almost daring Michigan to throw it inside for a traditional post play.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu
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