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VILLANOVA, Pa. – Shortly before the start between Michigan and Villanova, the Wildcats made their way to the basket where the Wolverines were shooting. Phil Booth hit Jordan Poole. The words were exchanged.
"They tried to tie us in early, where they were standing right in front of us," said Michigan rookie Ignas Brazdeikis. "We were like" What? Who do you think you are? "
Was Villanova's intention to intimidate? "Honestly, it does not matter," said Brazdeikis. "It did not work."
Michigan won with the defense last year. But Villanova, who beat Michigan for the national title last season, learned Wednesday that the Wolverines seemed to have moved their defense, toughness and physical play to another level this year.
Michigan won the rematch 73-46, forcing Villanova to his worst offensive performance in years.
"We are probably going to be as good as our defense will be this year, and it was really good today," said Michigan head coach John Beilein. "People ask," What is the ploy? "or" What did you do? "We have very good individual advocates …
"(Villanova is) really good at distinguishing you and finding a weakness.We did not have many weaknesses individually in defense today."
Zavier Simpson and Charles Matthews set the tone in the first game against Michigan, in a packed house against the country's No. 8 team, frustrating their opponents. Leader Collin Gillespie had five points, three assists and five turnovers in 34 minutes. Booth was 2-in-8 with four turnovers.
"Booth is a great player," said Beilein. "But Charles is relentless when we give him a match like that."
Beilein also mentioned center Jon Teske, and Michigan only extended their lead when Isaiah Livers came in while U-M was small.
Eric Paschall, a pre-season All-Big East selection, was the only Wildcat to reach 10 points, but he only managed 3 shots out of 14. The freshman Ignas Brazdeikis l 39 kept a good part of the game and more than his own.
Beilein loved the second possession of the match, when Villanova isolated Paschall against Brazdeikis and the first-year player made an offensive foul.
"I have the impression that every time I show up on the field, I am the strongest player, so the supervisor, I thought that it would was a good match for me, "said Brazdeikis.
Brazdeikis played at a high level on the other end, scoring 18 points. "His toughness and toughness today were remarkable," said Beilein.
It was the same for the 3-point defense of Michigan. Teams do not usually put 3 in play, and the Wildcats are no exception. They create open eyes thanks to the movement of the ball and the imbalance of the attacks. They had tried to combine 69 3 in their first two games, easy wins. Michigan has limited Villanova to only 15 attempts (and three marks).
In total, Villanova missed 30 of his 44 goals and made 21 turnovers. The last time Villanova had such a low score was January 16, 2013 against Pittsburgh. It was also last season that the Wildcats lost a game in November.
"They played very physically, very aggressively and very attached to the scouting report," said Villanova's head coach, Jay Wright, about Michigan's defense. "Whatever the end result, it was not so tight."
Beilein was not around the victory. "It's a November win, that's all, it's like a November defeat, that's all, and you're trying to grow both ways."
In terms of toughness, this Michigan team is already in top form. Seven minutes after the start of the second half on Wednesday, Simpson tore Gillespie's ball and was fouled by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree. Simpson and Cosby-Roundtree merged momentarily and the rest of the Wolverines intervened.
"The brothers stand each for the other," Simpson said.
"True or false, we all stand for each other," Matthews added. "We will go up or die one for the other."
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