Round 2 - Oklahoma vs. Michigan - what do we have to do / game thread

[amazinblue]

I think Michigan took advantage of an off night for Clemson, and did what "they had to do" to win against the Tigers. IMO, a win is a win - it doesn't matter if you win by 1 or 56.

Some good comments have been posted about the need to control the boards. We've got to maintain our pressure, play solid D, and hope our perimter shooting is good.

Our inside game is really Sims. He needs to play tough - put up some points and pick up some boards.

I think it's either a close game, or a long night... We can win, but - it won't be easy. And, I don't think that the "short" turnaround time will hurt that badly - we do have a day off.

[Shane Falco]

After the game last night I switched to ESPN for the press conference. Before it came on I thought Steve Lavin had an interesting comment. He said he thinks Michigan will beat Oklahoma and said that Belien's offense and defenses he runs our too hard to prepare for in 1 day.
Now I don't care too much for Lavin in the 1st place but thought that was interesting and hope he is correct.

[MoellerLover69(LloydCarr)]

Didn't Udoh leave so he could transfer to Oaklahoma? It'd be awesome to shove a win down that traitor's throat as if he was still in the middle blocking shots and rebounding we would be even better! I'm psyched for Saturday! Go Blue!!

[amazinblue]

Udoh transferred to Baylor... He's from Oklahoma, though.

[bighousemike84]

I dont think Michigan caught Clemson on a down night. I think Michigan won and they did it while turning the ball over more than Clemson and getting about half the rebounds as Clemson.

It was a recipe of really good defense and Manny Fresh just taking the game over. Oklahoma is a better matchup against M. Griffin is a man beast but if they can contain him there is a chance to win. I would like to see more Sims in this game. That ally oop from Douglas was a thing of beauty.

[tpilews]

How many bunnies did Clemson miss? They shot awful from the outside for pretty much the entire game. Clemson was perhaps on a down night, but I also think that UM's defense tends to create those bad nights as well.

UM certainly has a shot against Oklahoma. They need to play great defense, which they usually do. They're going to need to have a great night shooting the ball. And, most importantly, they're going to need to hit the boards. Oklahoma averages nearly 40 rebounds/game. 2nd chance pts are what will do UM in. If they play a great game, they can win.

[bighousemike84]

Clemson was perhaps on a down night, but I also think that UM's defense tends to create those bad nights as well.

I think that is exactly right. The 1-3-1 is designed to make the offense take shots from the perimeter. Clemson was terrible from behind the arc. When M played Duke the analysts said that Michigan won solely because Duke was shooting so cold. What about Michigans defense?! The 1-3-1 zone is a tough nut to crack and Clemson proved it. Michigan held Clemson 20 points under there season average! Does anyone talk about that? No.

[The Michigan Man]

I think Michigan took advantage of an off night for Clemson, and did what "they had to do" to win against the Tigers. IMO, a win is a win - it doesn't matter if you win by 1 or 56.

Some good comments have been posted about the need to control the boards. We've got to maintain our pressure, play solid D, and hope our perimter shooting is good.

Our inside game is really Sims. He needs to play tough - put up some points and pick up some boards.

I think it's either a close game, or a long night... We can win, but - it won't be easy. And, I don't think that the "short" turnaround time will hurt that badly - we do have a day off.

No excuses, you don't have "off nights" in the NCAA tourney. If Clemson didn't bring their best game, then they certainly deserve to be on a plane ride home instead of advancing against OK.

Michigan probably won't see a trap defense like they did last night again this tourney (I hope). They exploited it well during the 1st 30 minutes, but it seemed to really cause confusion towards the end.

MIchigan can certainly beat OK - they've defeated better teams this season. If Manny gets 25 pts, Sims gets 15, Douglas gets 3-4 3pt shots, and the rebounding is close to even, Michigan should win.

[rickyleach]

we have no reason to think michigan cant win , they have already proved they can beat anyone, this is not a three game deal , you only need to win one at a time.. oakl is in for a rude awakening..

[amazinblue]

...the rebounding is close to even, Michigan should win.

Michigan Man - and others,

I definitely believe we can win. I do think doing "ok" on the boards will be one of, if not the key to the game.

Go Blue...

[primetime101]

let blake griffin get his 45 points and 28 rebounds and shut everybody else down...i have been saying all year that oklahoma is a overranked team...it showed when blake griffin went out with that concussion and they lost a few games...they are a one man team

oklahoma also has a relatively young team so hopefully the 1-3-1 will frustrate them and we get some easy points off turnovers

Go Bluee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sbblue32]

I think if we can throw Gibson and Sims at Griffin at the same time to just mix it up would work out for our advantage. Watch us throw numerous amounts of defense matchups against them. They do have Warren at guard who is good but Manny should lock him up.

Sims needs to step up and play big!!!!

[GoDeepHammer]

I think if we can throw Gibson and Sims at Griffin at the same time to just mix it up would work out for our advantage. Watch us throw numerous amounts of defense matchups against them. They do have Warren at guard who is good but Manny should lock him up.

Sims needs to step up and play big!!!!

We need to hit on all cylinders and have a great game, but we can win this. GO BLUE!!!

[The Michigan Man]

Would love to see Novak and Douglas light it up from the perimeter, and open it up for Harris and Sims inside. If the 3 pt'ers start dropping, OK will have to play outside more and the offensive rebounding on misses should improve.

Honestly, I'm just excited to be here right now (hopefully the team has higher aspirations!) Go Blue!

[BLEEDINGBLUE]

I will say this. I am so excited about UM basketball again. Just the fact that we made it to the dance after a year of missing the NIT is unfathomable. And when we won on Thursday night, I considered that a bonus. Should we win or lose tonight, this team is definitely going places. I will not be upset if we lose. As long as we go out and give it our all. This is totally awesome. Hail To The Victors Baby! and LETS GO BLUE!

[Wolvrin704]

Its been nice to have a topic of an upcoming UM game without the trolls yammering. :D

UM will have to play a great game and hit their shots to have a chance. I doubt they win this one but I'll be pulling for them regardless.

[gord]

I can't wait till we have a real point man.
I haven't seen worse tournovers since middle school basketball

[gord]

Does blake griffen ever not get a call?

[GSewall350]

Anthony Wright is carrying this team.

[hail2mich]

Wow, no Manny for most of the game so far and we're up by 3. Anthony Wright is doing amazing!

[BLEEDINGBLUE]

Does blake griffen ever not get a call?

I agree 100% the refs baby the shit out of him. It almost seems as if they aren't going to allow us to win the game. But we will see.

[hail2mich]

These refs suck.

[gord]

Don't know who was the tougher apponent, OU or the refs.
How do you draw a charge when your feet aren't set?

What a flop artist. As soon as griffen gets boxed out and is out of position, he jumps in the air toward his defender and puts his hand up like he's getting pushed.

[bighousemike84]

Side note: both Manny Harris and Deshawn Sims are returning next year

http://www.freep.com/article/20090322/SPORTS06/903220519/1054/U-M+seniors+melancholy+after+loss

I like that " I never even thought about it"

[hail2mich]

Side note: both Manny Harris and Deshawn Sims are returning next year

http://www.freep.com/article/20090322/SPORTS06/903220519/1054/U-M+seniors+melancholy+after+loss

I like that " I never even thought about it"

Great news!

[1OSUNUT]

Bitch, Bitch,Bitch - thats all you guys ever do. Did you see Griffin after the game ? He was bleeding from two different spots. The game was physical which falls into the style the Sooners play. You guys knew going in that Oklahoma was bigger, stronger and more physical then you - what did you expect. If the outside shot is off or contested - Michigan cannot win. You have no size and no talented big men.

To blame the refs is just par for the course for you guys. Excuse after excuse. I cannot wait to hear all the new ones you make up this year during football season.