Biggest takeaway from last night was two - fold. One ,, amazing what happens when we drive and actually make layups and what it does to our confidence but 2, temper it somewhat as Michigan showed little resistance and no fight. They allowed us to go right thru them and I am glad we obliged. Now with the exception of those 3 drives before the half that were out of control and forced and our little drought , the rest of the game the layups were converted.
I have been saying it a lot but after losses where we hit only 1 or 2 or 3 three pointers , we must shoot more threes and hopefully make more threes. Hopefully Noah looks to take the threes that are there and doesn’t hesitate. His threes last night were demoralizing for Michigan and they showed their lack of fight after every one of them. If somehow , Hyatt doesn’t disappear and can also hit 3 in a game , where he certainly has had the opportunity game after game , then we will be in all games down the stretch. He cannot disappear.
Gavin not playing in first half but whole team played well was okay for me. Pike normally subs out a hot hand just for the sake of subbing but he didn’t do it and it paid off. He played him from the 13 minute mark of the second half. Did not like his initial minutes as he was just standing around the three point line but then got more involved and got a nice kick out that he drained. He has to drive and use his 6’8” height into the lane and knock things down. Does not have to only be a three point specialist. Liked his rebounding and blocked shots on the defensive end. So positive minutes from Gavin.
We were a game or so ago , 2nd in the Big 10 in fast break points , and tonight that was in full display with Cliff running the floor. We have to do it more but that starts with securing the defensive backboards and turnovers , which happened tonight , but lacking in some of the losses. Crash the glass, guards , forwards , anyone other than Cliff who already does , then get out and run. This team is better suited to play that way than in the half court. Which I think what Pike meant when he was talking uptempoand the team being capable of 80 points. Our atrocious shooting has prevented that , but crashing the defensive glass , causing turnovers . and running should be a priority the rest of the year.