The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/917835
JANUARY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 49 MICHIGAN BASKETBALL said after the win at Little Caesar 's Arena in downtown Detroit. "We want to continue to build off that." "I'm really proud of these guys the way they came out and defended … we're growing," Beilein added. "We understand it can really help us to get out in a fast break, which is im‑ proving, as well." This year 's defense is different, and people are starting to take no‑ tice. That includes former Michigan assistant Bacari Alexander, who is now the head coach at Detroit. "I think it's their length," Alexan‑ der said of U‑M's defensive success. "One thing you always have to be mindful of is you're driving down the lane, and there's 7‑1 Jon Teske … when he puts his arms up he's 7‑6. "When he jumps, he might be eight‑feet tall. It's very difficult to see the rim. Also, I think they do a par‑ ticularly good job of building walls defensively. The ball screen is there, the hedge man is there, and the pri‑ mary defensive guy is doing his job. "This Michigan defense is much different statistically of any year un‑ der John's tenure. This is a very dis‑ ciplined group. … They seem to be very connected." That bodes well for a team that will very likely continue to improve of‑ fensively, the way most Beilein teams do. — Chris Balas BEILEIN IS CONFIDENT DUNCAN ROBINSON WILL RETURN TO FORM Michigan fifth‑year senior forward Duncan Robinson hasn't been the sniper he was the past two years, when he shot 45 percent from long range in 2015‑16 and 42.4 percent in 2016‑17. He was shooting only 34.6 percent from three‑point land as of Dec. 17, including a 7‑of‑30 five‑game stretch in early December. He started to pick it up in a 59‑52 win at Texas Dec. 12, going 2 of 4 from behind the arc, and looked like the Robinson of old in scoring 11 points and making 3 of 4 three pointers in a 90‑58 win over Detroit Dec. 16. That marked the first time he'd made three or more triples in a game since he made four against Chami‑ nade Nov. 21. "I feel good," Robinson said after the win in Detroit. "I was fortunate to have some shots go in." Michigan head coach John Beilein said it was nice to see his shooter regain some confidence. He'd re‑ mained steadfast during Robinson's tough stretch that there would be a game in which his player would make six or seven from deep and return to form. "He hasn't had any bad days in practice," Beilein said. "What people don't always realize is he gives us so much more space on the floor. "People haven't left him for three years now, and as a result, all those alley drives by [redshirt sophomore forward] Charles [Matthews], who's in the right corner? It's [because of] Duncan." That's a big reason why Robinson will continue to see plenty of playing time, even when his shot isn't falling. — Chris Balas DEFENSE A PRIORITY FOR ZAVIER SIMPSON Michigan head coach John Beilein has always been an offensive mind — admitting as much before playing Detroit when he said the offense is his baby. This year, however, it's the defense that is ranked ahead of the offense. According to KenPom.com, Michi‑ gan's adjusted offense efficiency (points scored per 100 possessions adjusted based on opponent) ranks No. 49 in the country, while the ad‑ justed defense efficiency (points al‑ lowed per 100 possessions adjusted based on opponent) ranks No. 26. Sophomore point guard Zavier Simpson is the leader of that defen‑ sive charge. He has frequently ex‑ 2017-18 MICHIGAN MEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time (ET) Nov. 3 Grand Valley State^ W, 82-50 Nov. 11 North Florida* W, 86-66 Nov. 13 Central Michigan W, 72-65 Nov. 16 Southern Mississippi W, 61-47 Nov. 20 vs. LSU# L, 77-75 Nov. 21 vs. Chaminade# W, 102-64 Nov. 22 vs. VCU# W, 68-60 Nov. 26 UC Riverside W, 87-42 Nov. 29 at North Carolina& L, 86-71 Dec. 2 Indiana! W, 69-55 Dec. 4 at Ohio State! L, 71-62 Dec. 9 UCLA W, 78-69 (OT) Dec. 12 at Texas W, 59-52 Dec. 16 vs. Detroit@ W, 90-58 Dec. 21 Alabama A&M (ESPNU) 9 p.m. Dec. 30 Jacksonville (BTN) 6 p.m. Jan. 2 at Iowa (ESPN/2)! 7 p.m. Jan. 6 Illinois (BTN)! 12 p.m. Jan. 9 Purdue (ESPN/2)! 9 p.m. Jan. 13 at Michigan State (FOX)! 12 p.m. Jan. 15 Maryland (FS1)! 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Nebraska (BTN)! 9 p.m. Jan. 21 Rutgers (BTN)! 12 p.m. Jan. 25 at Purdue (ESPN2)! 7 p.m. Jan. 29 Northwestern (FS1)! 7 p.m. Feb. 3 Minnesota (FOX)! 2:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Northwestern (BTN)! 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Wisconsin (CBS)! 1 p.m. Feb. 14 Iowa (BTN)! 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 Ohio State (CBS)! 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at Penn State (BTN)! 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at Maryland (ESPN/2)! 12 p.m. Feb. 28-March 4 Big Ten Championship (at New York City) March 13-April 2 NCAA Tournament (at various sites) ^ Exhibition; * Maui On The Mainland at Crisler Center; # Maui Jim Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Hawai'i; & ACC/Big Ten Challenge; ! Big Ten game; @ at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit Fifth-year senior guard/forward Duncan Robinson is averaging just 9.7 points per game through the season's first 13 contests, but head coach John Beilein expects his shooting percentages, especially from deep, to rise as the season goes on. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL