Trying to get a handle on just what kind of team we have has been pretty difficult this season. The inconsistencies from game 1 from the upperclassmen and dreadful play vs cupcakes were a warning sign but just when we were ready to turn out out the lights on this season, RU bounced back with a win over Clemson and then the triumphant win over #1 Purdue. A wobbly but still somewhat competitive game at Seton Hall and then covid hits which sort of derailed the energy of the program. Two cupcake wins to get their legs back and now a Michigan team who is suddenly beatable coming to the RAC. MIchigan at 7-5 already has the same amount of losses as they did all year last year. Its a huge game for them because they have struggled mightily of late losing at Minnesota and at Central Florida. Their only quality win thus far is San Diego State and with games up next vs Michigan State, Purdue and Illinois, this is almost a MUST win for them.
RU has not beaten Michigan since joining the Big 10 and they really seem to have had our number but they lost alot from last year and do not seem to have the offensive firepower they had last season. Cliff vs Dickinson is going to determine alot. Cliff must stay out of foul trouble. Agee has had no court time for several weeks. Its likely Reiber will have to play a good amount of minutes or RU will have to go a bit smaller using Hyatt/Mag at times. Cliff outplayed the Purdue big but he was a slender big, Dickinson much more physical and Cliff has struggled against these type of centers.
The outside shot does not seem to be falling for the Wolverines, they are shooting just 35%. Not sure what was up with Devante Jones this year, he started very slow and now coming on of late in the last 3 games and he is the most accurate from 3 at 46%. Eli Brooks makes them go at the guard position. We do have the height advantage here but Geo and Paul have to really limit any careless mistakes. The two freshmen Housten and Diabate are key weapons but again they are freshmen. I will take Ron's experiences over Housten but he has to have one of those 20 plus point games for RU to win. Michigan at around 70% free throw shooting, not their strong point but dont want them picking easy points up at the line and RU has improved immensely since earlier in the year at playing defense without fouling. Brandon Johns starts but really hasnt been that much of a factor for them. He did have one great game a few years at the RAC going off for 20
Home court confidence will help. Not sure about the crowd size given mandates, hassles, testing for children, and fear of catching Covid but place should still be energized given its the first real home game at the RAC since the Purdue. This Jekyll and Hyde teams has shown more promise in the last few weeks than they did to start the season. Geo now has a few more games under his belt after battling the flu and hamstring injuries. No excuses, we have a pretty healthy team so this is a game to show what we have. Important one if they want to keep NCAA hopes alive. You want to win both on this two game homestand. Catching Michigan at the best possible time because they will be better at the end of the year than they are now. I think experience and the home court will be the difference for RU
RU has not beaten Michigan since joining the Big 10 and they really seem to have had our number but they lost alot from last year and do not seem to have the offensive firepower they had last season. Cliff vs Dickinson is going to determine alot. Cliff must stay out of foul trouble. Agee has had no court time for several weeks. Its likely Reiber will have to play a good amount of minutes or RU will have to go a bit smaller using Hyatt/Mag at times. Cliff outplayed the Purdue big but he was a slender big, Dickinson much more physical and Cliff has struggled against these type of centers.
The outside shot does not seem to be falling for the Wolverines, they are shooting just 35%. Not sure what was up with Devante Jones this year, he started very slow and now coming on of late in the last 3 games and he is the most accurate from 3 at 46%. Eli Brooks makes them go at the guard position. We do have the height advantage here but Geo and Paul have to really limit any careless mistakes. The two freshmen Housten and Diabate are key weapons but again they are freshmen. I will take Ron's experiences over Housten but he has to have one of those 20 plus point games for RU to win. Michigan at around 70% free throw shooting, not their strong point but dont want them picking easy points up at the line and RU has improved immensely since earlier in the year at playing defense without fouling. Brandon Johns starts but really hasnt been that much of a factor for them. He did have one great game a few years at the RAC going off for 20
Home court confidence will help. Not sure about the crowd size given mandates, hassles, testing for children, and fear of catching Covid but place should still be energized given its the first real home game at the RAC since the Purdue. This Jekyll and Hyde teams has shown more promise in the last few weeks than they did to start the season. Geo now has a few more games under his belt after battling the flu and hamstring injuries. No excuses, we have a pretty healthy team so this is a game to show what we have. Important one if they want to keep NCAA hopes alive. You want to win both on this two game homestand. Catching Michigan at the best possible time because they will be better at the end of the year than they are now. I think experience and the home court will be the difference for RU