Michigan’s Struggles Could Bring Arizona Trouble

From being ranked #17 in the nation, to dropping two owning the two worst home losses in college basketball this season, the Michigan Wolverines might just be the most disappointing team in the country.

Starting the season 3-0, the Wolverines picked up a quality win over Oregon in the opening round of the Legends Classic at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. They followed the Oregon win with a heartbreaking loss to #7 Villanova, who is quietly emerging as a dark horse Final Four team. Syracuse figured out the Jim Boeheim 2-3 zone, in a thriller at home. This is where things start to go down for Michigan.

They hosted the New Jersey Institute of Technology (4-5), who also plays a 2-3 zone. The Wolverines managed to figure out the defensive scheme of one the greatest college basketball coaches of all time, but struggled against NJIT. NJIT left Michigan with a win and $92,000 for their program, the amount of money Michigan offered NJIT to play them.

For Michigan fans, it gets worse. For everyone else, it gets even funnier. Just three days later, Eastern Michigan comes in and beats Michigan on their home floor by a final score of 45-42. Michigan scored just 42 points in 40 minutes of basketball. Eastern Michigan is a decent team at (8-1), but they probably won’t make the NCAA Tournament and hasn’t made the tournament since 1998.

As far as Michigan’s lineup goes, they have some quality players, but just can’t put it all together. Their first problem comes from their shooting, specifically from three-point range. Through nine games, 40% of Michigan’s shots come from behind the arc. When you look at Michigan’s strengths, it makes sense, because they have absolutely no size and it shows in their rebounding.

Their top two rebounders are do-it-all 6-7 combo guard Caris LeVert, averaging just over five rebounds game and 6-0 guard Derrick Walton Jr., with just under five rebounds a game. Michigan doesn’t exactly play with forwards, and when they do, they call on 6-9 freshman Ricky Doyle, averaging seven points and three rebounds a game in about 16 minutes.

If Michigan gets some shots to fall, it could be dangerous. With a fire underneath them, it’ll be interesting to see how this game plays out.