Michigan

[klmLB]

Both games earlier this year were classics and we were on the positive end of the spectrum both times. They have been playing great ball as of late and we are both tough for the other team to defend. If you look at their record, it's damn close to ours (especially how both our games could have gone either way).

Vince's ankle needs to be rested in a hyperbolic chamber from now on. You could see today that some of those shots he normally makes didn't go down. Vince went nuts for 30 in Mackey.

So, my heart says we win, but I wouldn't be surprised (or think badly of us) if we lost.

Should be a great game.

What are your thoughts?

 

[goboilers2]

Same as yours.

It might just come down to conditioning. This will be Michigan's fourth game in four days.

 

[BoilerGal74]

Same as yours.

It might just come down to conditioning. This will be Michigan's fourth game in four days.

We need the other Seniors and C Boogie step up for Vince tomorrow and we will be fine.... Tough game but fine....

 

[cprh9u]

I was hoping to get MSU to get a shot at a marquee win, but UM is pretty strong right now. Winning tomorrow would be big and should solidify us as a solid 2 seed.

 

[klmLB]

Same as yours.

It might just come down to conditioning. This will be Michigan's fourth game in four days.

Great point. I forgot about that. They lost the tie breaker to Neb and didn't get the double bye. It's hard to play 4 games in 4 days. Theoretically, that should help us.

 

[02Boilermaker]

The tourney title game is a matchup of the B1G's highest scoring offense vs the B1G's stingiest scoring defense. How many casual fans would correctly guess which team is which?

Like Walton & Irvin last year, MAAR & Robinson are Michigan Srs that have been able to take things up a notch down the stretch. The first 2 games between the schools this year have been thrillers with the 2nd probably being the best game I've seen this year when it comes to offensive execution & shot making by both teams. Can the MSG atmosphere & title game implications overcome any tired legs & make Round 3 just as thrilling? I want some revenge for last year's BTT loss. Let's hope the Boilers get it.

 

[Purdue0034]

Michigan looked tough today, but I like our chances! A win tomorrow sure would make the week long anticipation of selection Sunday a little easier to endure. A win tomorrow and we are a lock for a #2 Seed at least!

 

[beenther1s]

Whenever I think that it seems like a really impossible game to win, I think of Carsen Edwards and I feel warm and fuzzy

 

[cprh9u]

Whenever I think that it seems like a really impossible game to win, I think of Carsen Edwards and I feel warm and fuzzy

This made me lol. He was pretty awesome tonight.... and all year. Special player.

 

[todd brewster]

Mo Wagner is named top center in the Big 10. They predict Mo to be a 1st round draft choice. But I'll take Haas for the win any day of the week.

 

[TMA62]

Same as yours.

It might just come down to conditioning. This will be Michigan's fourth game in four days.

UM just beat their in-state rival MSU (again). They may be coming off of a high because of that. And as you mentioned, a fourth game in four days. These could be an advantage to Purdue.

 

[rgarlitz]

Same as yours.

It might just come down to conditioning. This will be Michigan's fourth game in four days.

My gut feel is that this one is going to come down to which team wants it more.

 

[Hausta01]

Michigan also played OT against Iowa.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

Meanwhile, Michigan is also playing themselves up the seed-line......they could be a tough out in the NCAA regardless of tomorrow's outcome......executing very well on both ends.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

If Purdue comes out with more intensity and emotion than UM (similar to that of the Arizona game), Purdue wins. If they continue to come out flat and emotionless...they lose.

It is literally that easy for this team.

 

[Heller]

Michigan looked tough today, but I like our chances! A win tomorrow sure would make the week long anticipation of selection Sunday a little easier to endure. A win tomorrow and we are a lock for a #2 Seed at least!

I'm pretty sure we are a lock for a 2 right now. Whether we get a one may be decided by tomorrow's game. I'm one of the few who isn't convinced the loss to Wisconsin was all that devastating.

 

[HartPU]

UM just beat their in-state rival MSU (again). They may be coming off of a high because of that. And as you mentioned, a fourth game in four days. These could be an advantage to Purdue.

This. Michigan is on its 4th game in 4 days plus they played a tough OT game against Iowa and an emotional, physical game against MSU. This is set up for Purdue. All Purdue has to do is take it.

I think it will be close throughout with Purdue pulling away down the stretch.

 

[Lionheart1]

I think Purdue is a 2 if they lose; possible 1 if they win. They can’t come out flat but these 4 seniors are pretty laid back and even Carsen doesn’t get overly hyped. To come out hot and ready to go maybe have Haarms give the pregame pep talk.

 

[snowsquirrel11]

I was hoping to get MSU to get a shot at a marquee win, but UM is pretty strong right now. Winning tomorrow would be big and should solidify us as a solid 2 seed.

Win tomorrow and we will likely have a shot at the last #1 seed or one of the top #2 seeds.

 

[TC4THREE]

In my book we still owe them for last year's BTT. We should still play with a chip on ur shoulder because of that.

 

[GrapeApe]

MAAR and Wagner only played about 20 minutes against that Iowa team though, which is...something. Foul trouble.

I noticed that after the first four minutes and the adrenaline wore off, UMs first half shooting - with great open looks - went in the tank. Best free thrown shooters were missing too. Usually a sign of dead legs.

But this will also be Purdue’s third game in three days, which is when the legs start to go.

Coming in, UM (probably) didn’t expect to get this far, and I can’t say that one win away they are just happy to be here, but there is probably more pressure to win on Purdue.

The good news, for both teams, is that neither seems to shrink from pressure.

Game comes down, I think, to three point shooting. Not a huge surprise there after the regular season games, but UM shot 60% over in WL and still lost, by only 4.

I came over to these boards once during the season (from Michigan site) to say that I hope Purdue wins all the rest of their games. This was after the last game. I meant it then but now have to take it back

Quick question: which of your underclassmen are leaning NBA? Carsen? Or coming back? If he comes back he’ll get a LOT more shots / usage and be runaway BTPOY. In our side, we loose Duncan Robinson, MAAR, and quite likely Mo Wagner. Pitty about Wagner, but he does have a 16 year old brother who’s a NBA small forward prospect...fingers crossed.

Whatever happens tomorrow, may we meet in the final four!

 

[rgarlitz]

I'm pretty sure we are a lock for a 2 right now. Whether we get a one may be decided by tomorrow's game. I'm one of the few who isn't convinced the loss to Wisconsin was all that devastating.

IMO: a lot still depends on the upcoming high major tournaments. Kansas, MSU, and UNC losing yesterday all help, but two of those three get another chance to make their case.

Today's game is still huge for Purdue. It turns out to be their only chance for a genuine resume-building win in NYC. The Boilers have to seize the day today.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

IMO: a lot still depends on the upcoming high major tournaments. Kansas, MSU, and UNC losing yesterday all help, but two of those three get another chance to make their case.

Today's game is still huge for Purdue. It turns out to be their only chance for a genuine resume-building win in NYC. The Boilers have to seize the day today.

 

[boiler-deuce]

What would be the better seed, a #1 out West....or a #2 in the MidWest?

 

[Summy1]

Will you stop with the fatigue factor. Same thing was said last year and Michigan proved everyone wrong and won the tournament. They are a very good team. Purdue better be ready to play.

 

[JerseyBoiler]

Last game vs UM Eastern played 9 minutes. He's probably still fairly fresh based upon his low minutes earlier in the season. If he plays 15-20 minutes today, his D can be THE difference in this game. Boiler Up!

 

[blockm2]

I’m not exactly excited about seeing Purdue again since our last game I felt like we played almost as well as possible and still lost. My only source of hope is that our defense has gotten better and better throughout the season (up to #6 in KenPom). That and maybe you guys shooting less than 50% on 3s might at least give us a chance.

Should be a fun one and while there might be some dead legs in the second half no reason to rest as both teams won’t play for a long time after today.

 

[arcb102000]

I respect Beilein as a coach so I guess that Michigan's players are not getting paid a la the Fab Five. Your program should always be embarrassed by that.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I’m not exactly excited about seeing Purdue again since our last game I felt like we played almost as well as possible and still lost. My only source of hope is that our defense has gotten better and better throughout the season (up to #6 in KenPom). That and maybe you guys shooting less than 50% on 3s might at least give us a chance.

Should be a fun one and while there might be some dead legs in the second half no reason to rest as both teams won’t play for a long time after today.

Should be a well-contested, spirited game, block, as these squads know each other's tendencies fairly well. I could see it going either way and boiling down to the last few possessions.

 

[blockm2]

I respect Beilein as a coach so I guess that Michigan's players are not getting paid a la the Fab Five. Your program should always be embarrassed by that.

I’m generally more embarrassed that people aren’t aware it was only Chris Webber from the Fab Five and the other players were from later classes. Also considering Michigan took a decade long dive for that whereas programs today don’t even get much of anything my self loathing has declined.

 

[blockm2]

Should be a well-contested, spirited game, block, as these squads know each other's tendencies fairly well. I could see it going either way and boiling down to the last few possessions.

If Michigan can manage to beat MSU and Purdue on consecutive days I will simply chalk it up to Beilein being a wizard. No rational person would expect that. This Boilermaker team is insanely experienced and talented and well coached.

 

[rgarlitz]

What would be the better seed, a #1 out West....or a #2 in the MidWest?

#2 closer to home any day.

 

[tjreese]

I’m not exactly excited about seeing Purdue again since our last game I felt like we played almost as well as possible and still lost. My only source of hope is that our defense has gotten better and better throughout the season (up to #6 in KenPom). That and maybe you guys shooting less than 50% on 3s might at least give us a chance.

Should be a fun one and while there might be some dead legs in the second half no reason to rest as both teams won’t play for a long time after today.

I thought duncan was shooting better as of late and the Michigan 7' center is playign and contributing much more lately...but again...I'm a casual observer...

 

[rgarlitz]

If Michigan can manage to beat MSU and Purdue on consecutive days I will simply chalk it up to Beilein being a wizard. No rational person would expect that. This Boilermaker team is insanely experienced and talented and well coached.

I definitely feel better about Purdue's chances after the way they played in the second half yesterday. That was the first time Purdue really seized control of a game and maintained it (against a quality opponent) in almost two months.

 

[tjreese]

If Michigan can manage to beat MSU and Purdue on consecutive days I will simply chalk it up to Beilein being a wizard. No rational person would expect that. This Boilermaker team is insanely experienced and talented and well coached.

Purdue is well coached and so is Michigan. Purdue is very skilled and Michigan is skilled and athletic at more spots. Perhaps Matt has been the wizard twice? Reality is both games could have went either way...coahing is fairly similar...players fairly similar. Michigan is more athletic on the whole and Purdue is more senior experienced on the whole. If Purdue beats a team like Michigan three times..when two were clearly easy to go to Michigan...what do we think?

 

[klmLB]

I’m not exactly excited about seeing Purdue again since our last game I felt like we played almost as well as possible and still lost. My only source of hope is that our defense has gotten better and better throughout the season (up to #6 in KenPom). That and maybe you guys shooting less than 50% on 3s might at least give us a chance.

Should be a fun one and while there might be some dead legs in the second half no reason to rest as both teams won’t play for a long time after today.

The feeling is mutual. Not too excited to see Michigan, but you face a really good team in the championship game regardless (part of me wanted OSU and MSU to make up for our regular season losses to them). It's really hard to beat a team 3 times in a season, let alone a really good team like Michigan. Either game this season could have gone either way and Abdur Rahkman seems to always go off on us and Wagner is a matchup nightmare for us.

Your defense is getting better. Ours ever so slightly dropped (kenpom #26 after being top #15 most of the year). However, our offensive efficiency has gone up to #2.

We are both good perimeter shooting teams, but will interesting to see how dead legs affect that. Should be a fun game to watch!

 

[arcb102000]

I’m generally more embarrassed that people aren’t aware it was only Chris Webber from the Fab Five and the other players were from later classes. Also considering Michigan took a decade long dive for that whereas programs today don’t even get much of anything my self loathing has declined.

Here is what I do know:

Michigan got many tv appearances and publicity because of Fab Five wins. I also know that Michigan received a lot of royalty money from the increased sales of hats, sweatshirts etc with the Michigan logo. Sales are highly correlated with athletic success. Also add in increased alumni donations, which are highly correlated with athletic team success. To the best of my knowledge, extra revenue was not donated to outside parties.

You did have to take down an illegitimately earned banner and vacate wins - and got negative publicity after the fact.

You are correct that present day "sacred cows" are likely getting little/no penalty for acts that should warrant sever penalty - AZ, MSU and KU prominently come to mind. What happened to UNC was a joke. I used to repsect Duke, but I am convinced that bad things are happening there and will subsequently come out.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

KEy today comes down to coming out of the gates with intensity and energy. It appears a small if the team is playing on too much of an even keel lately not wanting to get too caught up in the moment. I can understand that aspect but it is very hard to beat an opponent if you don’t match their intensity and energy from the start unless you are simply not overwhelming talented in all aspects. From here on out, that isn’t the case and Purdue needs to play with their hair on fire

 

[blockm2]

You did have to take down an illegitimately earned banner and vacate wins - and got negative publicity after the fact.

Michigan took multiseason scholarship reductions, multiseason postseason bans, and fired the coach who should have known better. It tanked the program for a decade.

Consider the debt paid. Michigan now has the cleanest hoops program in the country. Beilein is beyond even speculation. His own peers can’t believe how much a stickler for rule following he is. He even follows the NABC guideline of not offering scholarships until June 15 after a kids sophomore year of HS because he thinks it is the right thing to do.

 

[arcb102000]

I respect Beilein immensely.He is very, very good. And I also believe that he is very clean. However, Michigan gained by cheating and the alumni as a group have amnesia and denial in that regard.