Big Ten Basketball Tournament: Key storylines for Michigan vs. Michigan State
3. Michigan’s Adjustments from the last two showdowns
In their previous two matchups against the Spartans, Michigan has fallen flat.
The Wolverines lost both games by a combined 17 points, failing to contain Michigan State on defense.
Michigan will surely adjust, and that begins and ends on the defensive end.
Cassius Winston must be contained. Michigan point guard Zavier Simpson is an excellent defensive guard. He has to play as such on Sunday. If not, the Spartans will soar to an easy victory.
On offense, the Wolverines need to get the ball in the hands of Brazdeikis. Iggy hasn’t had incredible games against Michigan State, and even against the potent postmen of the Spartans, Brazdeikis has the potential to explode for a big game, regardless of who he’s guarded by.
And finally, Michigan must play a good game for the full forty minutes. In the last game, Michigan lead by double-digits for most of the first half, before that lead evaporated into a double-digit deficit in the second half. Michigan has to control the momentum, and have a good command of the speed of the game.
Adjusting from previous failures isn’t rocket science, but it must be done in order for Michigan to prevent history from repeating itself. Michigan State might be the better team, but John Beilein’s squad is just too good to get swept in a three-game set. Michigan must make adjustments, and they will.
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The Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans will meet for the final time on Sunday, with both Big 10 Championship implications and seeding implications on the line. Will history repeat itself with a Spartans win, or will the Wolverines adjust from previous shortcomings, and win their second-consecutive Big 10 Tournament?