Michigan Basketball: 3 keys to success in rematch with Northwestern
By Adam Childs
Limit Law and Pardon
In their first meeting, Vic Law (19 pts) and Dererk Pardon (20 pts) scored 39 of the Wildcats’ 60 points. It does not take a genius to see that without them, Michigan would have run away with the game. The Wolverines did a good job in the first half of keeping Law in check but Pardon was hot from the start. Pardon went on to shoot 9-for-10 from the field and was able to do about anything he wanted down low.
Michigan had a tough time guarding him and it will be key for them in their game on Sunday. They need to try and limit his touches which in turn limits his opportunities to score. Pardon is coming off his worst scoring game of the year when he only had six points against Iowa. It was his first time scoring in single digits all year long.
Law has the ability to score from anywhere and struggled early against Michigan in their first meeting but got it going in the second half. He shot just 7-for-17 for the game but was 4-for-8 from behind the arc. He is their best shooter and the Wolverines will need to keep him from getting hot. He alone can help the Wildcats stay in a game. Look for Michigan to really pressure him on the perimeter and make him either drive or give the ball up.
The defense of Jon Teske will be big in this game to slow Pardon and then protect the rim when Law tries to take it to the hole. Teske played very well on the defensive side on Thursday at Illinois and has been steady all year. If he plays well it will be tough for the Wildcats to score.