Michigan Basketball: Michigan at Ohio State -- Preview

Posted at 4:00pm — 1/13/2015

Michigan Wolverines Basketball: Michigan at Ohio State — Preview

Can Michigan Shoot In The Schott?

Ohio State basketball has, as always, tremendous athletic talent, arguably the best in the conference. Ohio State cruised, as usual, in the preconference schedule that again included some lesser-known types. Then Ohio State hit Louisville and North Carolina, got behind early, never caught up, and absorbed a couple of losses.

In the conference, Ohio State is 2-2 in conference play, having lost to Iowa and Indiana, and defeating Illinois and then Minnesota in overtime. Michigan is 3-1, but has played a somewhat easier schedule. Ohio State is one of those teams that on a good night is a twenty type nationally.

More from Michigan Basketball

Thad Matta has plenty of seniors and plenty of youngsters. The most notable youngster is D’Angelo Russell, a hybrid of a 2, 3, and 4 spot player. He is averaging about 18 points a game and the early talk in Columbus was that Russell would be a one and done lottery pick. There have been games where he has blazed and games where the shots did not always fall. Never the less, Russell loves to shoot and appears to have become the typical Ohio State dominant scorer. If he is on and is not guarded, as Michigan is want to do with premiere scorers, the damage will be in the 20’s. Russell can run hot and cold, so there is hope.

Shannon Scott was assumed to be the likely candidate for primary scorer, but Russell has eliminated that possibility. Scott is averaging about nine points a game, but give him clear space and double digits are a certainty.

Marc Loving is very athletic, and while he may not be a dominating inside presence, his help side defense and jumping ability are impressive. Loving is the number two scorer.

The locals bemoan the inside game and presence of Ohio State’s veterans Sam Thompson and Air Williams. Between the two, 18 points and nine rebounds are the average production. Most teams would trade Ohio State straight up and take the two “disappointments.”

The Schott holds almost 19,000 and will be rocking as Michigan takes the floor, if for no other reason because it is Michigan, the bane and reason for existence.

The first mission for Michigan is getting off to a good start. Both teams are capable of scoring in the 50’s or 60’s, or can take off into the 80’s if everything is going right. Michigan must continue to play with better defensive intensity. There needs to be a real plan for disrupting Russell, the personnel may not be present to adapt the mantra that Russell will not beat Michigan. There is plenty of talent to break that dream to pieces.

Michigan Wolverines /

Michigan Wolverines

On offense, Michigan cannot accept the false premise that Williams and Thompson own the middle. Ohio State has been hurt in the middle by talented teams. Michigan is not nearly as talented inside as Louisville or Carolina, however, the inside game must not be conceded. Russell and Scott can take off quick. Michigan cannot continue the recent trend of poorly defending the perimeter. Minnesota missed some unguarded shots down the stretch; Ohio State probably will not be as kind at home.

One of the little local story lines attached to this game is how Matta has dominated Michigan. Not quite sure that is now a given, Ohio State has been fortunate to win a couple of close ones that Michigan had pretty well locked up. But Beilein has had better success as his talent level increased.

Ohio State is much deeper than Michigan; ten players see meaningful minutes and score points. Michigan is more in the six or seven range of contributors. Ohio State may be moving away from the early season zone. Although with Ohio State’s size and Michigan’s inability to work the ball inside against teams, it would make perfect sense for Ohio State to zone Michigan most of the game.

More from GBMWolverine

Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment and give us your thoughts, agree or disagree.

Just a reminder you must be a member to participate on the Message Board. Here is the link GBMWolverine Register for those people interested in becoming a member.

You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine

Written by GBMWolverine Writer — Doc4Blu

Go Blue — Wear Maize!

Home/Michigan Basketball