The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/116680
few weeks of getting physical, trying to get into the paint, trying to go after offensive and defensive rebounds. I think we've improved in that area. I think we'll be okay." Small Ball Here To Stay They're not likely to change their approach, either — nor should they, most pundits agree, after a season in which they won 26 games with five true freshmen playing meaningful minutes. T h e Wo l v e r i n e s played two bigs this year mainly situationally — when they needed an extra rebounder on a crucial free throw, for example — and tried to take advantage of offensive mismatches with Robinson at the four. The result — the Wolverines were seventh nationally in offensive efficiency heading into the NCAA Tournament (1.17 points per possession), excelling especially during the first half of the year. Michigan's five men cut into their catches, whether they are on slips or screen and rolls, making it more of a leverage position. The fours are expected to be able to create their own leverage via the bounce, like Zack Novak last year stepping back for a jump shot or Robinson III this year in putting the ball on the floor on occasion. "What has been ignored on some level, with the exception being a program like Michigan State who can play a 6-10 and 6-9 big man together, is that most of the other teams like Ohio State and others always play a hybrid, 6-7 type at the four," Alexander said. "[OSU's] DeShaun Thomas — he's a four. In that sense, look at Aaron White at Iowa, or programs like Penn State who have guys the same size or smaller than Glenn. "The thing I always tell people is the Miami Heat with LeBron James, when it's time to win, where is he playing? He's at the four. It's a growing trend within the game. We'll play two bigs situationally and it's still a matter of preference, but it's also attached to a growing trend." For the Wolverines, that means a number of options at the five depending on who's playing well. A Litany Of Options Despite his Big Ten Tournament struggles, Morgan — who averaged 5.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, and was an All-Big Ten Defensive Team pick — remained the likely starter heading into NCAA Tournament play. There's no substitute for experience, and the redshirt junior was slated to enter his third consecutive postseason. Morgan's defense is what sets him apart from Michigan's other centers. Beilein has consistently said the redshirt junior is a step quicker and a bit better at judging angles than his teammates, a reason the Wolverines have been better on that end when he's on the floor. "The injury he experienced against Illinois [sprained ankle] and games the missed shortly thereafter … even in the limited min-