The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/246097
Redshirt junior Jon Horford posted 14 points and nine rebounds in a critical win at Minnesota Jan. 2 to start the Big Ten slate. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL ROUNDING OUT THEIR GAMES Part of that is a byproduct of not looking over their shoulders, Alexander added, and it was apparent in Michigan's 68-65 win over Stanford Dec. 21. Morgan played with passion in a starting role, notching eight points and five rebounds, while redshirt sophomore Max Bielfeldt added three rebounds when both Morgan and Horford got into foul trouble. Horford picked it up the following two games, providing 10 points and five rebounds in a Dec. 28 win over Holy Cross and 14 points and nine rebounds in a critical win at Minnesota Jan. 2 to start the Big Ten slate. "It helps when you know you're going to play a certain amount of minutes regardless of what's going on throughout the game, including foul trouble," Alexander said. "It gets you to a level of comfort that allows you to be productive." And not just on the offensive end. Horford has since done a better job of staying on the floor and out of foul trouble, while Morgan — a conference All-Defensive Team selection last year — has been the voice of experience. "Jon's made tremendous growth on defense learning how to play taller, bigger and more efficiently," Alexander said. "His fouls have been on the decline, and that has a lot to do with having a better understanding of the scouting report. When you can anticipate a person's tendencies, that bodes well.