Michigan has played a lot in Chicago in the last couple weeks. If you count the Northwestern game, tonight is the 5th game for the Wolverines in Chicago since February 11th.
Michigan finally has had some time to rest as they have had almost a week off, with their last game early last Saturday. Rest and Recovery is important and so is the extra time to prepare for an Alabama team that can score the basketball. Michigan has struggled at bit on defense against teams that can shoot the 3 and strong on the offensive end. Working for a week on covering the 3 point line, I hope was a focus for Dusty and his talented Wolverines. I would love to see Michigan stay with the shooters and not collapse in the lane when a point guard drives. I'm not a math guy, but I'm still pretty sure 3 is more then 2.
Michigan will continue to need a great effort in the low post, while hitting a majority of their 3's. I still tend to lean on the seniors and would love to see a smart effort from Gayle, Yax needs to be Yax, Burnett defending and hitting 3's, and Tschetter hitting 3's and getting boards.
Lastly, from here on out, Michigan can not have a "sleepy" first half and needs to be locked in from the jump. If Michigan can play their best basketball and focus in, I like our chances.
- Someone woke up Warde and he says he wants Dusty to be Michigan's coach for a long time and will work with him on that goal. A real leader would've understood that before premier jobs became available.
- The Big Ten had a good night last night as Purdue beat Texas at the buzzer, Iowa beat Nebraska by 10, and Illinois beat Houston in Houston. We hope those trends continue tonight with Michigan and MSU both hitting the floor.
- From many of the players, it seems Coach Whitt is more like Harbaugh then the past two years have been. That the weight room is much different in a positive way.
