#22/20 Michigan (4-2) vs Coppin State (2-2) – Ann Arbor, Mich. – 3pm EST – Big Ten Network
Offense
76.7
Points/gm
78.8
(158-367) 43.1
Field Goal %
41.3 (100-242)
(56-152) 36.8
3-pt FG %
33.7 (31-92)
(88-126) 69.8
Free Throw %
73.4 (94-128)
14.7
FT Made/gm
23.5
38.8
Reb/gm
37.0
15.2
Assists/gm
11.3
9.7
Turnovers/gm
11.5
Defense
63.7
Points/gm
84.3
(144-345) 41.7
Field Goal %
46.2 (114-247)
(36-98) 36.7
3-pt FG %
38.7 (43-111)
35.2
Opp. Reb/gm
40.8
7.8
Steals/gm
8.0
2.3
Blocks/gm
2.3
Individual Leaders
Nik Stauskas (20.3), Caris LeVert (13.7)
Points/gm
Sterling Smith (17.5)
Mitch McGary (7.8), Jon Horford (6.2)
Reb/gm
Arnold Fripp (6.8)
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With an ugly loss in the finals of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off now in the rearview mirror, Michigan returns home to the Crisler Center today to face the Coppin State Eagles, who pulled off a major upset at Oregon State in the Beavers’ game of the year. The Wolverines are still hanging onto a spot in the top-25, but the non-conference schedule doesn’t get much easier after today, with games at Duke, versus Arizona, and against Stanford (neutral site) still on the docket. Here are my quick thoughts on today’s matchup:
Focus: Focus and preparation don’t seem to have been problems in either of Michigan’s losses so far this season, but the importance of a young team concentrating on the task at hand cannot be overstated – especially after a start not quite on par with expectations. Michigan’s freshmen and sophomores need to forget about losing to Charlotte on Sunday and not think about the upcoming showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium this coming Tuesday and simply worry about putting the Eagles away today. With the uncertain statuses of Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III today, the rest of the Wolverines need to step up big and take care of business before groaning about the past or looking forward to the future.
Don’t Settle: In Michigan’s loss on Sunday, it was a perfect storm of unfortunate events that brought down the Wolverines, including two crucial injuries, major foul trouble, and a brickfest that most construction companies admired. And while most of these problems were out of Michigan’s hands, the Wolverines missed outside shots repeatedly while rarely looking inside for their All-American big man. Mitch McGary’s four two-point attempts from that contest need to at least triple today against a lineup that features no starter taller than 6’8″, and Michigan would be well-served to attack the rack all game long, as Coppin State is letting opposing teams (Division 1 only) shoot 55.9 percent inside the arc. Look for Derrick Walton, Caris LeVert, and Zak Irvin to really have an eye for the paint as Michigan wins the free throw battle against a team that loves to get to the line.
Control the Pace: If these three thoughts seem quite fundamental, it’s because they are. Michigan needs to get back to the basics after two early season losses and simply control every aspect of the game at home. This afternoon, John Beilein will surely be stressing the importance of controlling the speed of the game. When the fast break is open, Michigan needs to run. When it’s not, the Wolverines need to move crisply on offense and find the easy open shots. And when Coppin State is looking to push the pace, Michigan needs to slow them down. If the Wolverines dictate the speed of the game and find their confidence on offense, they should coast to a fairly easy win, but if they continue to fire away and let Coppin State play their game, it will be another nail-biter.
Prediction: Michigan has been simply excellent at home and should control this game with relative ease, but Coppin State will look to punch the Wolverines while they are a bit down. I think Stauskas will play about 20-25 minutes and break double digits again while Robinson sits out. Mitch McGary, however, will be an absolute force inside. The Maize and Blue have not lost a non-conference home game since December of 2009, and the winning streak will continue today as the Wolverines beat the Eagles 82-68.