January 12, 2017 (vol. 127, iss. 7) • Page Image 6
… Wolverines were a possession away from stealing a conference road win. But an offensive rebound and putback could have been prevented, or at least made more difficult, by having a big box-out below the…
… forward Lamar Simmons and Terrapin forward Demonte Dodd were both key to their teams building substantial leads against the Wolverines in their own building. With those performances in the past week…
… attacked the Wolverines at the post early and often. Fighting Illini forwards Maverick Morgan and Leron Black scored Illinois’ first 10 points jumpers and hook shots that Wolverine defenders allowed…
….” Physicality has also been an element of the Wolverines’ struggles down low, especially in the case of Wagner and senior forward Mark Donnal. Wagner has been timid in using his body and frame to box out…
… and take on opponents crashing the boards, while, at 6-foot-9, Donnal is undersized at the position. Michigan’s pair playing the ‘5’ had no rebounds in the first half and as a team the Wolverines…
… been made of Michigan’s struggles defending the perimeter the past couple games. The Wolverines are last in the conference in 3-point defense and had another concerning outing, allowing Illinois…
… Wolverine perimeter defenders inside to play help defense, leaving guards open on the outside to make shots. Morgan, again, was the one making this happen, and earned four assists on the night. It…
…’s been holding back the Wolverines’ defense the most. And now it’s solely up to John Beilein and his assistants to solve a problem that is so simple to identify yet so hard to fix in the middle of…
…’t get there and guard people and effect people’s shots. It’s that simple.” Carney can be reached at @becarney@umich.edu and on Twitter @br_carney Wolverines blown out by Illinois in Champaign…
… CHAMPAIGN — After Illinois guard Te’Jon Lucas nailed a wide open floater — made possible by three Wolverines all guarding one man — to put the Fighting Illini up by 20 with 8:57 left in the game…