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Michigan Basketball: 2019 keys for Wolverines to beat Maryland at home

By Adam Childs

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 05: Eugene Omoruyi #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights attempts a shot as Jon Teske #15 and Ignas Brazdeikis #13 of the Michigan Wolverines defend during the second half of a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 5, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan defeated Rutgers 77-65. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 05: Eugene Omoruyi #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights attempts a shot as Jon Teske #15 and Ignas Brazdeikis #13 of the Michigan Wolverines defend during the second half of a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 5, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan defeated Rutgers 77-65. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 09: Jon Teske #15 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a second half basket with Jordan Poole #2 while playing the Wisconsin Badgers at Crisler Arena on February 09, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 61-52. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 09: Jon Teske #15 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a second half basket with Jordan Poole #2 while playing the Wisconsin Badgers at Crisler Arena on February 09, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 61-52. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Find a rhythm on offense

Charles Matthews has found his shot the last two games, but it seems like everybody else has lost theirs. Isaiah Livers might be the only exception, but he does not shoot the ball as much. Iggy Brazdeikis has looked lost the last few games, Zavier Simpson is not the best shooter anyway, and Jordan Poole, who has been streaky all year, is in a slump also. Jon Teske found his offensive game against Wisconsin but before that had struggled also.

With all these guys struggling the Wolverines have seemed to have no rhythm offensively. They are getting some open shots, but are not knocking them down. That has led some guys to be hesitant to shoot the ball or even worse force up bad shots trying to get out of the slump. Poole has been especially bad at this and it has not helped him get out of his slump.

The offense runs the best when everyone is confident with their shot even if it is not falling. They still wait for open shots and get good looks. When that happens the offense runs smooth and the Wolverines score more. But instead, they have gone the opposite direction and let it affect the whole offense.

The Wolverines need to get back to their rhythm they had early in the year when they were able to score easily and even when they weren’t hitting for a while they still ran the offense well. They need to run the pick and roll better and finish when they get to the rim. If they can do that they can score on this Maryland team, but they need to get back to where they were early in the year.

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