Busting Brackets
Fansided

Michigan Basketball: 5 Things the Wolverines need for Christmas in 2018

By Adam Childs

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Michigan Wolverines fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game against the Villanova Wildcats at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Michigan Wolverines fans cheer before the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game against the Villanova Wildcats at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
ANN ARBOR, MI – DECEMBER 1: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots a three point shot during the second half of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Crisler Center on December 1, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Purdue 76-57. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – DECEMBER 1: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots a three point shot during the second half of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Crisler Center on December 1, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Purdue 76-57. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

1. Free throw shooting

The Achilles heel for the Wolverines last year was their free throw shooting and it seemed like they were destined to have it beat them during the tournament. They were lucky that it did not come back to bite them as it did not cost them a game.

So this year would have to be better right? Well, so far that has been a big fat no. It even looked like it might be what helped Western Michigan upset the Wolverines on Saturday. Michigan was horrible from the line in the first half before finally finding their stroke in the second half.

On the year the team is shooting just 65% from the foul line. Iggy Brazdeikis and Jordan Poole are the only two that are shooting over 75% for the year that has more than 20 attempts. Charles Matthews is shooting 61% and Zavier Simpson is only hitting 41% of his. Add in John Teske shooting only 55% and that makes three-fifths of the starting lineup as a liability from the line.

The Wolverines have got to start hitting more shots from the foul line. The second half was better against Western Michigan and if they can get some confidence and start having good games from the line, hopefully, it will propel them into the second half the season.

Wolverine fans hope they can start to breathe easier when a player goes to the line and that in itself would be a great Christmas present.

Home/Michigan Wolverines