Busting Brackets
Fansided

Michigan Basketball: Why Wolverines should be nation’s top-ranked team

By Brian Rauf

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a three point basket next to Isaiah Livers #4 while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on January 29, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 65-49. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a three point basket next to Isaiah Livers #4 while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on January 29, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 65-49. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 26: Josh Richardson #0 and assistant coach Juwan Howard of the Miami Heat on the bench on opening night against the Orlando Magic on October 26, 2016 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Manuela Davies/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 26: Josh Richardson #0 and assistant coach Juwan Howard of the Miami Heat on the bench on opening night against the Orlando Magic on October 26, 2016 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Manuela Davies/Getty Images) /

Elite defense

The calling card of this Michigan team is on the defensive end, where they rank in the top 10 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. They improved in this area each of the last two seasons under Beilein and now Howard – who was in charge of the defense during his time with the Heat – has put his imprint on them.

Michigan’s biggest focus has been running opponents off the three-point line in an effort to limit the number of three-pointers they give up. While they’re outside the top 100 nationally in three-point percentage allowed, they rank in the top three in fewest threes allowed (only a fourth of opponent’s shots come from distance). Given the increased emphasis on the three-point shot in today’s college basketball, the Wolverines are forcing opponents to beat them with twos.

This strategy has helped them stymie everyone they’ve faced and held both North Carolina and Gonzaga to 64 points. In fact, only two teams – Appalachian State and Iowa State – have reached the 70-point mark against them, and both games were in hand early. After this loss to the Wolverines. UNC head coach Roy Williams praised Michigan’s defensive gameplan.

"“Juwan has really done a really nice job with that team. The most impressive thing to me, is that he’s taken some of the guys that played for John Beilein that were important to John — and they guarded and hustled like crazy. … I commend Juwan for doing that.”"

We expected Michigan’s strength to be their defense, but they’re even better on that end than we expected. It has been the biggest reason they’ve been able to start 7-0.

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