Michigan Basketball: Michigan at Iowa — Wrap-Up
Posted at 6:30am — 2/9/2014
Michigan Basketball: Michigan at Iowa — Wrap-Up
Someone Should Be Unhappy
Round two of the Michigan Big Ten meat-grinder started at Iowa. The results were ugly and disappointing. This is the first game of a tough five game streak. Hopefully, the play demonstrated Saturday at Iowa City is not a harbinger of things to come.
Feb 8, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverine guard-forward Glenn Robinson III (1) dribbles against the Iowa Hawkeye at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa defeated Michigan 85-67. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY SportsOne of our fine posters mentioned the words lazy and weak. Let us start with lazy. After a dunk at the very start of the game, Glen Robinson III stayed put for a couple of seconds, then jogged down the floor with his back to the ball. Soon after, Michigan invited Iowa to shoot easy three pointers and the Hawkeyes responded with a run of six makes and one miss. This Iowa team was 3-20 at Ohio State, a team that takes defense seriously.
On the other end of the court, Iowa played hard, aggressive defense. Like Indiana, Iowa pressured the outside angles with two defenders and Michigan had no answers, either with the pass or the dribble. The guards were locked down and scrambling resulted. The defense gave up way too many points and in the first half, at least, the offense became disjointed. During this stretch many shots with little potential were launched.
Lazy included half-hearted efforts to jump out on the long shots. Lazy may include more easily intercepted soft, one-handed passes into the middle.
Weak? Iowa is based on tough play. Michigan got pushed around all over the floor and again showed little ability to keep a team determined to hit the offensive boards on just pure effort alone away from the basket.
Feb 8, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverine guard Caris LeVert (23) lays in a basket against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY SportsWeak is cracking mentally when Big Ten contact on the road is not called, as a couple of the ASSIGNED STARS clearly did.
Iowa made sure Michigan had no inside game with good position and pushing around anyone in the paint. So, take away the outside with pressure and Michigan is in trouble.
At least in the second half Michigan ran the Caris LeVert inside option with some success. If Caris had been sick or hurt, UM may have had trouble scoring 40 points.
The only good thing is this game costs the Wolverines one game in the standings. There is not really anything else.
Feb 8, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverine head coach John Beilein watches action against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa defeated Michigan 85-67. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY SportsCoach Beilein and staff has to be disappointed. The question is how will he/they deal with an obvious mass let down?
Inidana and Iowa used the same strategies to shut down Michigan and Ohio State will follow suit. Michigan needs better answers or the middle of the pack is approaching fast. One things for sure, Michigan is not the only team that has shown Jeckle-Hyde tendencies in league play. It is tough to play on the road, but Michigan made the game far too easy for Iowa. Michigan has made Iowa and Indiana healthy; Ohio State is seeking the same courtesy.
Just remember, offense is nice, but sub-par defense and rebounding eventually take a toll.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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