Michigan Basketball: 2019-20 keys to beat Wisconsin at home
By Adam Childs
3. Control the pace
A lot of times when you talk about a team controlling the pace, it is for them to slow the game down. But for Michigan against Wisconsin, they want to speed it up. Not to the point where they are out of control but get out and run and try and get the Badgers to keep up.
Wisconsin likes to play a slow methodical game. Yes, they are shooting more threes this year, but they still like to run their offense until they can get a good open shot. They like to play in the half-court. Not that they won’t run but they prefer to slow the game down.
Michigan has played much more up-paced this year under first-year head coach Juwan Howard and while their turnovers have been up slightly it has led to a lot of easy baskets for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines need to apply the pressure to the Badgers and see if they will try and run with them, something they are not great at. It could, in turn, force the Badgers into taking quick shots and ones they might not want to take. It could also force them into turnovers they might not normally make.
Use the advantage of being able to speed up the game to hopefully force the Badgers into playing faster than they want to. If they can get them out of their comfort zone it will help them in Thursday nights game.
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This is a game of two teams playing really well with the Badgers on a four-game winning streak and the Wolverines on a five-game streak. Both teams have shot the ball well lately and played good defense. It should be a battle, but if the Wolverines can shut down the Badgers shooters from outside they will have a good shot. Michigan has the edge playing at home as they have figured out what ailed them. Having Isaiah Livers is the difference as the Wolverines pick up their sixth straight win and continue to climb the polls.