With IU's matchup against Michigan tonight, I spoke with Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press to breakdown the Wolverines.
IDS: How would you sum up Michigan this season?
Mark Snyder: Young but exceeding expectations. Michigan knew they would be young - they only have two impact juniors and everyone else is a sophomore, redshirt freshman or true freshman - so it's kind of been uncertain. They've played well against good teams, but they just can't seem to get over the hump.
IDS: While the Wolverines played well against three top-10 opponents, they couldn't get it done in the end. What happened in those games?
MS: What happens is that they dig themselves in a hole, come back but can't finish it off. They have to be more consistent throughout the game, not have these lulls. Sometimes they get these lulls, get down double digits and then they have to come back.
IDS: At the start of the season, most people believed Michigan would be at or near the bottom of the Big Ten. Why have they been so much more successful than people imagined?
MS: They've been really good on defense. They've played team defense and guys are listening. They're paying attention to the coaching and they're letting their offense come off their defense.
IDS: Sophomore guard Darius Morris has really improved this season. What have you seen out of him?
MS: He's been fabulous. A lot of people believe he's the most improved player in the country, let alone Big Ten. He's played almost the whole game, every game and he has the ball in his hands. On a young team that's important because you need someone who's going to be steady and not commit a lot of turnovers and someone who can move the ball around.
John Belein's offense requires the point guard to have a heavy role. There's a lot of moving, a lot of cutting. It's about looking for the best shot not necessarily the best scorer. Morris has done a good job distributing and he can get to the basket when he needs to as well.
IDS: If you are Indiana, what do you need to do to beat Michigan on Saturday?
MS: I think Indiana is a physical team and they play hard-nosed defense. With a young team like Michigan, when it gets physical, that's when they tend to have problems. I think if Indiana's smart, they are going to get up into Michigan and try to frustrate the Wolverines that way. Michigan has had foul problems, especially with their big men, and that's something that can't happen in any game whether it's Ohio State or Indiana.
IDS: Predictions for the game?
MS: I think it's going to be competitive. I think Michigan has played up to the level of their competition. On the road against Wisconsin the first half they played very well and had the lead, which is very impressive. But in the second half, they couldn't sustain that. If Michigan can hit their outside shots, they can get the lead. It's just whether they can sustain that on the road. If you are going to be competitive in the Big Ten, you have to win on the road.
Indiana and Michigan have both dug themselves early holes in this conference, so it's a pretty big game for both teams. Whoever wins will get some momentum.
