Michigan vs. Ohio in hoops - Part 1

[amazinblue]

The Maize & Blue face off against Ohio on the hardcourt this weekend. This will be a challenge - and, if the Wolverines can find a way to win, I think it will do a lot to position them for a run in both the B1G conference championship and seeding for the Big Dance.

That being said - this will be a very tough game. Ohio's got a lot of talent and playing in Value City Arena (if that what it's called) will just add to the challenge.

Hopefully, the perimeter shooting will be "on" and the team will either keep it close or pull out a win.

[mgoblue1]

In today's game Michigan is terrible 3Pt shooting and rebounding. No presence at all down low. Wtf?

[Swoosh]

Jordan Morgan is terrible in the post

[hail2mich]

Not having a presence down low is very frustrating, but I thought the no shows by Novak and Douglass was even worse. Novak was nowhere to be seen, and Douglass was flat out terrible. Smotrycz is a joke out there this year. I thought he would improve, but he has regressed. Hardaway is still struggling, but he is playing a bit better. Burke has been very very good. Unfortunately, this team just doesn't have much depth yet. The loss of Horford has hurt.

I really wasn't impressed with OSU or Sullinger at all. I pray the Pistons don't take Sullinger in the next draft. When I watch OSU basketball, I see a bunch of good athletes out there with no direction. That is going to be a problem for them in the tournament (it always is). I do think Michigan can take OSU at Crisler.

[1OSUNUT]

You do realize the whole team is damn near Sophmores and Freshman - right ?This was a typical Michigan performance just like every game the last three years - if the 3 is cold, they suck. Michigan has sucked in the post ever since the new coach showed up. They launch 3's and if they hit they have a chance - if they don't they look like they did today. Ohio State is deep and their defense and depth will pose problems for a lot of teams. Do I think they are the favorites for the national title - no. But there is really no team that is unbeatable this year. Should be a wide open tournament. I just know that Michigan has look identical for three seasons in a row - in fact this years team might be a bit worse.

[MAIZEandBLUEsuedeshoes]

Wait until next year nut when McGary posterizes your whole team. I'm really looking forward to buying that box of Wheaties. Wait until you play at our house.

[1OSUNUT]

Can't wait to play you guys on the road. Your not that good. Michigan can only play one way. If the three is on they are competitive - if not they suck. There is no in between. They suck at half court basketball and they have little to no inside play. That is the facts - can't even argue it.

[shirc]

The buckeyes seem to get deep into the tournament for a bunch of "atheletes with no direction". Yeah, Craft, Sullinger, Buford, Thomas etc are just great athelets but not real ball players. lol

[MAIZEandBLUEsuedeshoes]

I'll admit it is quite frustrating at times when it's just all 3-ball. Hardaway and Burke do a good job for the most part driving to the basket---and Novak, too. Morgan seems to do good when they pass to him near the basket. Half the time there isn't anyone under the basket. Last night against Neb, except for Novak early, we didn't hit any 3's for the most part. We started driving to the basket and it worked, but that was a few minutes into the 2nd half. We started hitting the 3's really late, and practically when we didn't even need them--- it was over.

I actually think we are better this year. Hardaway is in a major slump offensively and that hurts. I've seen more drives to the basket this year it seems, but we still get those drives that are, for some reason, just thrown up wildly like on the playground--- and sometimes they go, sometimes they don't. I also think we are better on fast breaks(offensively). The thing I like about Hardaway is that he is quick. I really hope he comes around during the tourney to make things more interesting.