Michigan Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Wolverines to beat Purdue at home

By Adam Childs | Jan 8, 2020

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines talks with Zavier Simpson #3 during the second half while playing the Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on January 05, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 87-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Brandon Johns Jr. #23 of the Michigan Wolverines (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Pressure shots

When the Wolverines are playing their best defense is because they are making shots very difficult for the other team. They have one of the best three-point defense of the country. But against Michigan State on Sunday that seemed to go away. The main reason for that was Cassius Winston, but even with him, the Wolverines have been better at defending the Spartans.

The Wolverines need to get back to really pressuring shots on Thursday against the Boilermakers. Purdue has struggled to score at times this year and if Michigan can really pressure their shots, they could continue that trend.

Purdue is very hot and cold from the outside also. They hit 11 threes against Minnesota in their win but hit just two against Illinois in their loss. If you leave them open they can really knock them down, but they don’t like to be pressured and you can force them into bad shots and really limit their opportunities.

With the Wolverines struggling to score points lately, keeping the Boilermakers from getting hot will help Michigan if they go through a cold spell again.

Especially with the Boilermakers coming off their worst offensive game of the year, if the Wolverines can pressure them early they will start to press. Getting Purdue thinking about how they haven’t been able to score will only increase the Wolverine’s chances of winning the game.

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