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Nick Baumgardner, Free Press sports editor, answers three questions after Michigan's 76-49 win over Minnesota in the Big Ten tournament semifinals:
Michigan can solve Michigan State?
If we are all honest here, Minnesota was just in the race on Saturday.
Wisconsin too.
It was as if part III of Michigan and Michigan was going to arrive this weekend. Not only because the Michiganders deserve it after a long winter, but because these two seemed to be the two best teams in the league this season. Now it's official.
For Michigan, it's a chance to recover a goal after losing two discouraging defeats among the Spartans – including one for the Big Ten regular season title last week. Michigan entered this all-business tournament, insisting that the defeat against MSU last week did not ruin their state of mind. The Wolverines reacted by crushing Iowa Friday before taking Minnesota out of the gym on Saturday.
Michigan's Isaiah Livers (4) congratulates his teammates after a dunk shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota in the semifinal of the Big Ten Conference on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Chicago. (Photo: Nam Y. Huh, AP)
Both performances were vintage Mars John Beilein. Michigan swept the ball with ease in attack, looked great and took advantage of it more often than not.
Michigan (28-5) has had lightning of that against everyone not named Michigan State this season. Now? We will see if they can solve it or if they are forced to suffer three defeats in three tries against a rival.
A championship banner is in play, of course, as Michigan has the chance to become the first team in league history to win the Big Ten tournament three times in a row. The right to boast, all that, is also to be won. But more importantly, for Michigan, it's an opportunity to create a serious momentum for the biggest tournament in March.
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If this happens, the Wolverines will have to figure out how to score when Xavier Tillman is on the ground. The great Michigan State player has played a crucial role in each of MSU's wins against Michigan this season. Cassius Winston is the Big Ten player of the year, he is exceptional. He will have his. But if Michigan can understand how to do without Tillman on the ground, his day will be better.
Otherwise, Sunday could be a pure repetition of the last two meetings between these two.
Michigan head coach John Beilein will lead his team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference semifinal on Saturday, March 16th. 2019 in Chicago. (Photo: Nam Y. Huh, AP)
Is this offensive the real deal?
Michigan, again, looked like a classic Beilein team.
The Wolverines spilled the ground, pushed the ball under control when they had the opportunity and shot down the open air. Just as they did on Friday night against Iowa.
Neither the Hawkeyes nor the Gophers are big defensive clubs, but Michigan just seems more comfortable and confident at the moment. More than that, really, at any moment of the last 10 games of the regular season.
It's more like the Michigan version we saw when the team was winning 17 consecutive wins to open the season. A team that blocked the players, moved the ball and played with extreme confidence in attack.
Quite simply, if Michigan shoots like this, it has a chance to beat anyone. Michigan finished Saturday 10th on 26-to-3 and earned triples from five different players, including four from Isaiah Livers. Zavier Simpson was 3 of 4 deep, finishing with 15 points and nine assists.
The Wolverines were around 1.4 points per possession in the middle of the second period, after spending most of Friday's game at 1.3. These numbers, combined with Michigan's defensive efforts, will work almost every time.
What U-M seed situation in the NCAA?
At this point, Michigan seems to have a No. 2 seeded blocked regardless of Sunday's result. Michigan State will finish the year with more wins in Quadrant 1 and won the season series between these two teams.
If a Big Ten team has a chance to take first place, it's probably Michigan State. Although both could very well be No. 2 seeds (maybe both in Des Moines too).
Whatever the case may be, Michigan did the right thing to win on Line 2 this week in Chicago. The Iowa has gone into the books as a Q1 win, Minnesota is not.
In any case, wolverines appear to be in good condition for seed.
Contact Nick Baumgardner at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @nickbaumgardner. Learn more about the Michigan Wolverines and sign up for our Wolverines newsletter.
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