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#1
Neyland Law Vol

Neyland Law Vol

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#1
Michigan May Have An Advantage Offensively

The Volunteers are good at many things, but one area where they have shown weakness this season is guarding outside the arch. The Wolverines have shown that if given the opportunity, they can tear opponents apart from long range. This was something Texas was able to see first hand last weekend. Though Michigan is going to have to fight for rebounds, they might be able to get some decent shooting opportunities. Plus, Tennessee does not force a ton of turnovers, so Michigan's offense that typically does not turn over the ball could be well suited to make up the rebounding disadvantage through solid shooting and holding onto the ball.

Overall

This is going to be a challenging matchup. The last time Michigan faced Tennessee, they completely dismantled the Volunteers, but do not expect to see that this weekend in Indy. This should be a competitive game where a few key possessions could tilt things one way or the other.
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Early Thoughts: Tennessee
 
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#5
#5
On their forum some of their posters actually were pretty knowledgeable about our team. Said we were really hot right now with Richardson taking it to the next level. But they predicted that after a week off and multiple practices, we would likely cool off and they should win comfortably. I am a little worried about the game not being until Friday because the way we are playing now - Id like for this game to be Tuesday night.
 
#6
#6
One of the things that has amazed me about this run is how well Tennessee has responded to the 3-flurry teams have put up on us. Mercer came out blazing. Our guys not only absorbed it but kept right on hitting them as hard as possible: driving the paint and hitting the boards.

Sometimes the best thing you can do against shooting teams is to attack them and force them to move and play defense inside the lanes. Today Tennessee was willing to move and make that extra pass. With a miss, they were getting the rebounds. It was that way all day.

Really wasn't that long before the legs of those once-deadly accurate three-point shooters tired and with that the value of the shot to Mercer decreased.

I welcome Michigan's ability to hit the three-pointer. Fully expect them to do so with impact early in the game.

We'll see if they can do so throughout the game when being forced to play a game they don't want to play. They couldn't stand up to Michigan State's inside game at the Big 10 Tournament. If we continue to maintain patience and poise as we did today in the face of hot long-range shooting, then they will not be able to hold us either.
 
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#7
#7
I like our chances with Martin drawing up the defense given multiple days, I do worry a bit about us cooling, but who knows maybe we heat up.
 
#8
#8
bleedingTNorange said:
I like our chances with Martin drawing up the defense given multiple days, I do worry a bit about us cooling, but who knows maybe we heat up.
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McRae hasn't really heated up yet. If he puts it together during the break, our offense could get rolling even more.
 
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#9
#9
bleedingTNorange said:
I like our chances with Martin drawing up the defense given multiple days, I do worry a bit about us cooling, but who knows maybe we heat up.
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Cooling? We've been atrocious from 3-point range in all three games...

Unless you mean overall FG%... in which case I'd argue that we've shot well because we've taken better shots...

That's just an on-the-surface observation though. Could be totally wrong.
 
#11
#11
Well if you really want to play a statistical advantage, since we are playing in a dome-like environment, it has been statistically shown teams shoot worse behind the arc in domes, so that could help against a heavily reliant 3 point shooting team like Michigan.
 
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#12
#12
utfan72408 said:
Cooling? We've been atrocious from 3-point range in all three games...

Unless you mean overall FG%... in which case I'd argue that we've shot well because we've taken better shots...

That's just an on-the-surface observation though. Could be totally wrong.
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This is why I'm so encouraged. The team is not shooting well, but still putting up points because they have finally realized their game is inside. When McRae and Richardson are driving and Maymon and Stokes are getting putbacks, there's no need to shoot. Our inconsistent play in the beginning was caused by lack of effort on D, and poor shot selection. With these problems appearing to be behind us...

We gone whip dey azz!
 
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#13
#13
If we play defense and rebound like we have been, we've got a shot at winning it all.

We played this way the last week of the season, took time off and played this way in the SECT, even in the loss to Florida, took a few days off and played this way in the NCAA tournament.

Defense and rebounding will be the key. And fortunately for us, Michigan is a terrible rebounding team and they rely heavily on the three. It's simply always easier to guard a team that shoots from 22 feet vs one that shoots from 8 feet and in. It's why we had trouble in the tournament when we were a high level 3 point shooting team, but made the elite 8 once we had guys that could take it to the rim and bang inside.
 
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#14
#14
wisvol22 said:
Well if you really want to play a statistical advantage, since we are playing in a dome-like environment, it has been statistically shown teams shoot worse behind the arc in domes, so that could help against a heavily reliant 3 point shooting team like Michigan.
Click to expand...

I was actually thinking about this too. Probably not a big deal, but worth noting.
 
#16
#16
We have to make a couple of outside shots to make them respect it and not just pack the lane. I just hope they don't fall in love with the 3 and get away from what is working. I worry about the time off but if we stick to the post up and rebounding game we should be fine. I'm not sure if it will be enough to win but it like my chances.
 
#17
#17
utfan72408 said:
Cooling? We've been atrocious from 3-point range in all three games...

Unless you mean overall FG%... in which case I'd argue that we've shot well because we've taken better shots...

That's just an on-the-surface observation though. Could be totally wrong.
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You're not wrong.
 
#19
#19
Kusotate said:
Aren't you worried that Mcrae putting it together will disrupt the current flow of the offense.
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If Barton and Richardson are scoring, we are really tough to defend and can play w/ anybody. I think Jordy has grown up and recognizes that he doesn't have to carry the team offensively when those guys are on and he can pick his spots w/out trying to force it.
 
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#20
#20
Is the Colts stadium an arena where it could affect depth perception on shooing the 3? If it is then that could benefit us.
 
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#21
#21
Kusotate said:
Aren't you worried that Mcrae putting it together will disrupt the current flow of the offense.
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No. He's been working within the flow of the offense. As long as he's not jacking shots he's fine. He's been pretty efficient
 
#23
#23
Just keep playing that inside outside game. Hit a few timely 3's and i like our chances. Can't give them wide open looks at the basket though, they'll hit them..
 
#24
#24
We pound Michigan , finish off the survivor of the UK/UL game , send the Wildcats packing , and make it an all SEC final FTNCW!
 
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