Michigan Wolverines
Big Ten (24-9, 13-5)
Michigan has emerged once again as a solid basketball team like it did in the early 1990’s. This team is not as talented as those teams were, but the Wolverines have been competing with the best in the country. They maintained a share of the lead in the Big Ten for the first half of the season and won games when it mattered. The players on this team believe in their coach and their coach believes in his players. Michigan has found a blend of seniors, juniors, and underclassmen that are contributing to their successful season. Star sophomore Tim Hardaway, Jr. is following in his father’s footsteps by leading his team each time out on the floor.
Big Wins: 11/21 vs Memphis (73-61), 1/8 Wisconsin (59-41), 1/17 Michigan St. (60-59)
Bad Losses: 1/14 at Iowa (59-75), 1/21 at Arkansas (64-66), 2/25 Purdue (61-75)
Coach: Jon Beilein (5 seasons at Michigan)
Why They Can Surprise:
Michigan can make a run in the NCAA tournament simply because they have been battle-tested all season long. They have played a difficult schedule and have come out the other side with a strong resume. The Big Ten was a strong conference this year, but their non-conference games have been no cake walk either. They had to take on Duke and Virginia away from home, along with Memphis when Memphis was ranked. They had success in the bigger conference games when their defense locked down strong offensive teams. Coming from behind against Michigan State in January is an example of their scrappy play and defensive effort (holding the Spartans to 59 points is difficult). Hardaway, Jr. will need to continue to score for the Wolverines, but Evan Smotrycz and Zack Novak can stroke the three. Both shoot over 40%. That could come in handy in close games.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This team can only go as far as its scoring offense, and they are not the strongest offensive team. They only score around 67 points per game, and as the tournament progresses Michigan will be facing teams that can put the ball in the hoop. They also tend to start four guards. This team lacks a serious inside presence that may come back to bite them. This team has had head-scratching hiccups that make you wonder if they can handle big game pressure. A 16-point loss at Iowa is not a good indication that Michigan is ready to handle the bright lights of the tournament. They have won big games. Their losses speak louder.
Probable Starters:
Trey Burke, Freshman, Guard, 14.8 ppg, 4.6 apg
Stu Douglass, Senior, Guard, 7.6 ppg, 2.3 apg
Tim Hardaway, Jr., Sophomore, Guard, 14.6 ppg, 2.1 apg
Zack Novak, Senior, Guard, 9.5 ppg, 1.8 apg, 4.6 rpg
Jordan Morgan, Sophomore, Forward, 7.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Evan Smotrycz, Sophomore, Forward, 7.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Matt Vogrich, Junior, Guard, 2.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 66.7 (200th in nation, 8th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.6 (30, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.0 (70, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.2 (132, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.3 (22, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.5 (111, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.9 (76, 4)
Rebound Margin: -0.6 (212, 10)
Assists Per Game: 13.0 (157, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 1.8 (70, 5)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
Michigan 2011 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Duke
Michigan 2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Tennessee
Michigan 2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Clemson
Michigan 2009 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Oklahoma
Michigan 2007 NIT First Round win over Utah State
Michigan 2007 NIT Second Round loss to Florida State
Michigan 2006 NIT First Round win over UTEP
Michigan 2006 NIT Second Round win over Notre Dame
Michigan 2006 NIT Quarterly Final win over Miami
Michigan 2006 NIT Semifinal win over Old Dominion
Michigan 2006 NIT Final loss to South Carolina
Michigan 2004 NIT First Round win over Missouri
Michigan 2004 NIT Second Round win over Oklahoma
Michigan 2004 NIT Quarterfinal win over Hawaii
Michigan 2004 NIT Semifinal win over Oregon
Michigan 2004 NIT Final win over Rutgers
*all team stats through 3/4
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
