Like most teams. there is a formula for beating MSU. Here is what I see from their main contributors and what IMHO Michigan needs to do to have success on defense.
Watts: He no doubt saw what Curbello did to Brooks so I expect him to try and attack the basket off the dribble. He got his nickname Rocket in high school, but he is a quick player. Get a hand up on threes and make him a mid range jump shooter. Do not let him beat you off the dribble.
Henry: By far MSU's best player. I think Franz will defend him and again needs to make him a mid range shooter. Make the Threes contested but don't let him get in the lane because he is deadly there. When picks occur, the off defender needs to stay on him and make him swing wide. Stop Henry, you stop MSU.
Bingham: Hunter and Davis need to hang out in the lane tonight. Front Bingham when he tries to post, He is not athletic enough for over top catches and finishes. Keep him off the offensive board! Same defensive plan for Kithier. They are purely facilitators and rebounders.
Langford: Teams have been giving him the three lately and he has made a few. But most of his makes are wide open looks. He does a nice job in the mid range game too. He lacks quickness and elevation so I would make him beat me off the dribble. If he draws Smith as a defender, he may try to post and muscle Mike. The team D needs to make him give it up the ball early. Mike/Eli/Chaundee need to pressure him relentlessly.
Hauser-He will likely draw Livers, maybe Franz. He is only dangerous if he gets it going to the three point line-take that away. If Livers is defending, attack him with an aggressive double team if he tries to post-he'll give it up quickly, If Franz is defending, don't double.
Brown-This guy shoots the corner threes and dunks. Defend the three and take away the baseline. Make him a mid range shooter under pressure. Once he makes a move toward the rim he seldom gives it up.
Hall, Kithier, Marble, Sissoko: The goon squad. These guys will all play and they all about the same size. Kithier and Sissoko are in the game to rebound, pick, take fouls, and shoot layups. Our defenders just need to get a body on these guys because they will be crashing the boards. Hall and Marble are more polished players that can shoot and have developing post games. Pressuring the ball when they have it will be key. Make everything they do contested and make it start outside the arc.
As a team, MSU likes to get out and run. We need to limit easy baskets and turn their guards over. Hunter and Franz need to defend the rim. MSU is not a great shooting team so make their looks difficult, limit Henry, and we win.
Let's go Blue!
Watts: He no doubt saw what Curbello did to Brooks so I expect him to try and attack the basket off the dribble. He got his nickname Rocket in high school, but he is a quick player. Get a hand up on threes and make him a mid range jump shooter. Do not let him beat you off the dribble.
Henry: By far MSU's best player. I think Franz will defend him and again needs to make him a mid range shooter. Make the Threes contested but don't let him get in the lane because he is deadly there. When picks occur, the off defender needs to stay on him and make him swing wide. Stop Henry, you stop MSU.
Bingham: Hunter and Davis need to hang out in the lane tonight. Front Bingham when he tries to post, He is not athletic enough for over top catches and finishes. Keep him off the offensive board! Same defensive plan for Kithier. They are purely facilitators and rebounders.
Langford: Teams have been giving him the three lately and he has made a few. But most of his makes are wide open looks. He does a nice job in the mid range game too. He lacks quickness and elevation so I would make him beat me off the dribble. If he draws Smith as a defender, he may try to post and muscle Mike. The team D needs to make him give it up the ball early. Mike/Eli/Chaundee need to pressure him relentlessly.
Hauser-He will likely draw Livers, maybe Franz. He is only dangerous if he gets it going to the three point line-take that away. If Livers is defending, attack him with an aggressive double team if he tries to post-he'll give it up quickly, If Franz is defending, don't double.
Brown-This guy shoots the corner threes and dunks. Defend the three and take away the baseline. Make him a mid range shooter under pressure. Once he makes a move toward the rim he seldom gives it up.
Hall, Kithier, Marble, Sissoko: The goon squad. These guys will all play and they all about the same size. Kithier and Sissoko are in the game to rebound, pick, take fouls, and shoot layups. Our defenders just need to get a body on these guys because they will be crashing the boards. Hall and Marble are more polished players that can shoot and have developing post games. Pressuring the ball when they have it will be key. Make everything they do contested and make it start outside the arc.
As a team, MSU likes to get out and run. We need to limit easy baskets and turn their guards over. Hunter and Franz need to defend the rim. MSU is not a great shooting team so make their looks difficult, limit Henry, and we win.
Let's go Blue!
