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Michigan/Rutgers is a big measuring stick game for both programs.

bac2therac

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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
 
I hate the “must win” tag we give to games.

given that this is a home game and our margin for error is small……..this is pretty close to a “must win” for post season
 
I hate the “must win” tag we give to games.

given that this is a home game and our margin for error is small……..this is pretty close to a “must win” for post season


its probably more of a must win for Michigan. I think the pressure is on them currently
 
its probably more of a must win for Michigan. I think the pressure is on them currently
Nah....they have enough talent where they will need to turn it on at some point during the year and make the tournament. All any team needs to do is make the tournament. We almostb showed last year seeding isnt all that important
 
Its time for Rutgers to finally defeat Michigan as a member of the Big Ten.Both teams have started slowly and have 7-5 records.Rutgers has a small margin for error because of lack of scoring from the bench and not knowing how Harper and Baker will perform.
 
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Rutgers has never beaten Michigan, not just since joining the Big Ten! I was at that Final 4 game in '76, when they shattered the Undefeated season.
They also lost to them in the NIT Finals in 2004.
RU finally made it back to the Tournament last year.
A first time win over Michigan would big another thing to check off of the list. If they pass like Saturday, & shoot like last Thursday, it is not only possible, but probable.
 
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At end of the day, more often than not these games appear to be key games and then one of the next 10 out of 14 B1G games turns into the same scenario.

Most conference seasons are ebbs and flows, ups and downs.....it is difficult to determine how good Michigan actually is.....if we are playing frosh and so are they, it is likely that both teams at best are on the bubble.

I don't think it's a must win for either team and it is a very long season. Neither team really solves anything based on this game.....

RU specifically needs to figure out what role they can have to launch 20 to 25 3s.....I don't see a formula where RU wins consistently without 6 to 8 3 point attempts a game from Geo/RHJ and then you have to hope teams leave Mulcahy and Jaden Jones open and those 2 get going.

If the whistles are fair, RU is in the game throughout and will be an entertaining game. Michigan has bigger goals and focus and that starts Saturday vs Sparty.....this is the classic "look-ahead" game for Michigan because with Sparty on deck, that's the game that makes or breaks their season, not winning or losing to RU.
 
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its probably more of a must win for Michigan. I think the pressure is on them currently
Rutgers must win the home games like Purdue to have any chance for double digit league wins.Road wins will be difficult without bench scoring.
 
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RU specifically needs to figure out what role they can have to launch 20 to 25 3s.....I don't see a formula where RU wins consistently without 6 to 8 3 point attempts a game from Geo/RHJ and then you have to hope teams leave Mulcahy and Jaden Jones open and those 2 get going.
For us to compete defensively most night s in the B1G the lineup is Baker Caleb Mag Harper and Cliff. Ron will be guarded by the opponents best 6'5''+ defender. I don't think we want to see 25 attempts.
 
For us to compete defensively most night s in the B1G the lineup is Baker Caleb Mag Harper and Cliff. Ron will be guarded by the opponents best 6'5''+ defender. I don't think we want to see 25 attempts.
How is Rutgers going to win league games without Baker and Harper scoring at least 30 points which will require plenty of 3 point shots?
 
Michigan's defense was terrible in the second half at UCF. I think UCF made 8 threes in a row at one point.

Michigan hasn't lost back-to-back games since 2020.

Git er done!

Michigan will lose back to back games multiple times this year....
 
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Michigan will lose back to back games multiple times this year....
Bold prediction but it would not surprise me. Michigan has a young team.

Three of its starters are either freshmen or sophomores and the first guy off the bench is a freshman. Adrien Nunez is a senior who comes of the bench but role is very limited.
 
Bold prediction but it would not surprise me. Michigan has a young team.

Three of its starters are either freshmen or sophomores and the first guy off the bench is a freshman. Adrien Nunez is a senior who comes of the bench but role is very limited.


their season could be over quickly with the gauntlet of Michigan State, Illinois and Purdue, I think 2 are at home but they will not be favored in any of those. I think they need to win 2 of these games. Thats why they really needed last nights win over Rutgers
 
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