Big Ten Tournament Look Ahead

The last two games of this season show the inconsistancy of this Michigan team. In the Minnesota game we saw the team Michigan was expected to be as they were strong in every area. But then we were given a reminder of were this team actually is in the Michigan State game. It was a painful game in that emphasized Michigan's weaknesses and the struggle they have faced all season.

No one would have perdicted a 14-16 record before the season, but that is where the Wolverines sit as they enter the Big Ten Tournament. This is a team that is now fighting against stacked odds for their postseason lives. This is our last chance at any postseason tournament. We need atleast two games to have any shot at the NIT and we would have to take the whole thing for a return to the Big Dance. First up is Iowa, a team that Michigan has handled fairly well in the regular season. If we get past them the real challenges begin with a game against Ohio State and after that possible matchups with Wisconsin, Purdue, or Michigan State. Clearly the road is not going to be easy.

Michigan has shown that they can play at the top level at times this season, but more often then not they have performed well under expectations. The question is which Michigan team will show up in this tournament. Will it be the team that blew away Minnesota or the team that got totally shut down by Michigan State. Every game could be their last game; every matchup could be the end of the road for the seniors. I hope that the team realizes this and plays like there's no tomorrow

Michigan vs. Ohio State Post-game

Michigan 55 vs. #9 Ohio State 66

Box Score

Offence: Michigan's offence was improved when compared to their last couple performances but it was not enough to beat a very good Ohio State team.The Wolverines did a good job holding on to the ball and rebounding on the offensive and showed good fight coming back from a bad start. In the end though, this team is just not making enough shots to win. They improved from their last two games but still shot only 36.2% for the game. Manny and Deshawn have not been nearly as consistent as in the early season and they are really strugling to find their shots. Luckily other players pitched in as all 5 Michigan starters scored in double digits. Michigan clearly still has fight left in them, if only they could find a way to make a couple more shots. Grade: C

Defence: Even as Michigan has struggled on offence lately they have stepped and played good enough defence to stay in games. Once again this was case as Michigan was able to contain Ohio State for the most part. Other than a couple of mismatches that Ohio State exploited (William Buford and Dallas Lauderdale) and Evan Turner's excellent shooting Michigan held most of the Buckeyes in check. Ohio State shot 58% overall but this was due mostly to great performances by Turner and Lauderdale. Michigan was able to force 12 turnovers and did a decent job rebounding the ball. Again Michigan played just enough defence to keep them in the game but didn't do enough to overcome their offensive woes. Grade: C+

Overall: Michigan showed some fight and played a pretty good game against a strong Ohio State team but they were brought down by the same problems that have plauged them all season Grade: C+