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Michigan Basketball: Keys for Wolverines in rematch against Michigan State

By Adam Childs

COLLEGE PARK, MD - MARCH 03: Ignas Brazdeikis #13 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a shot in the second half during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the XFinity Center on March 3, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - MARCH 03: Ignas Brazdeikis #13 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates a shot in the second half during a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the XFinity Center on March 3, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – MARCH 03: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles by Aaron Wiggins #2 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half during a college basketball game at the XFinity Center on March 3, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – MARCH 03: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines dribbles by Aaron Wiggins #2 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half during a college basketball game at the XFinity Center on March 3, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

1. Get off to a quick start

The Breslin Center is a tough place to play and can get very loud. The Spartans know this and they will try and get the crowd into it early and use that to their advantage. To keep this from happening Michigan must get off to a quick start. They have had the habit off getting off to very slow starts this year and it could cost them the game on Saturday if that happens again.

The first time these teams played Michigan gave up 27 points in the first ten minutes of the game. Luckily they kept pace, but if they give up that many points again the crowd will be going crazy and the Spartans might be up double digits. They need to slow the Spartans down and in turn run their offense well and hit their shots. Open shots were not the problem in their first meeting, making them were.

The combination of making shots and playing good defense will be imperative for the Wolverines. They need to do it early and get a lead and try to keep the crowd out of the game as much as possible. They need to be patient on offense and get their shots and not let the importance of this game get to them.

Getting off to a quick start includes keeping Jon Teske and others out of foul trouble. If they get in trouble early it slows Michigan offense down and in turn makes it harder for them to get going. Play good solid defense and keep the Spartans from running. These will allow the Wolverines to get off to a good start and would go a long way in helping them win the game.

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