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Preview: Ohio State at #24 Michigan

Ohio State Buckeyes Ohio State 12-3, 2-2 Big Ten Roster | Schedule 8:00 PM ET - BTN —— Crisler Arena Ann Arbor, MI Michigan Wolverines #24 Michigan 13-4, 3-2 Big Ten Roster | Schedule

At least this time, RichRod won't have to deal with rowdy Buckeye fans.

Ohio State and Michigan renew their hardwood rivalry tomorrow, the first of two meetings in the next 11 days. The Buckeyes will try to avenge last year's 10 point loss in Ann Arbor, when Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims combined for 49 points in an 80-70 Wolverine victory.

Both teams come in with 2 conference losses, but Michigan has played one more game and OSU could tie Wisconsin for fourth with a win.

#NamePTSREBASSTPOS#NamePTSREBASST
2 Jeremie Simmons 7.3 1.9 3.0 G 44 Kelvin Grady 5.6 2.0 2.5
33 Jon Diebler 11.3 3.5 2.7 G 31 Laval Lucas-Perry 11.4 2.4 1.6
21 Evan Turner 15.7 6.9 2.7 F 0 Zack Novak 6.8 3.1 1.4
44 William Buford 10.3 3.5 0.7 F 3 Manny Harris 18.7 7.6 4.7
52 Dallas Lauderdale 6.2 4.7 0.4 C 34 DeShawn Sims 15.9 8.0 0.8

Opponent

Michigan enters the game scoring 71.7 points a game, good for fourth in the league. The Wolverines specialize in the three point shot, attempting 165 more than the Bucks thus far. Overall, UM is shooting 43.4 percent, including 33.8 percent from deep.

Beilein will run 10 players at Thad's depleted squad. Stu Douglass and CJ Lee lead the way off the bench, but neither one will be a threat to score big points. The Wolverines are coming off a 68-51 loss at Illinois on Wednesday, so they will be hungry for a win at home.

Michigan is well tested, splitting two meetings with Duke, beating UCLA and losing to Maryland and Wisconsin. Michigan's ability to change defenses on the fly is going to be key if they are going to pull off a victory. OSU lacks a true point guard and Simmons has proved a bit vulnerable when picked up full or half court defensively.

Buckeye Breakdown:

OSU has taken advantage over the last two weaker opponents, moving up to fifth in conference FG percentage, at 45.6 and scoring almost 68 points a game. We will see if they can keep those numbers up during the two road tilts this week.

Ohio State has shown improvement in their driving the rock and getting it inside. BJ Mullens is 20 of 29 over his last 4 games and leads the conference in FG percentage during league play. I think the team has also done a better job of shot selection. The quick three isn't going up as often and the shot fake has even made an appearance.

William Buford has his season average up to double digits, giving the Bucks 3 of the conference top 9 scorers during the early part of B10 play. If he keeps his recent trend up, Diebler should have another big game in Ann Arbor, before cooling at Illinois.

Etc

  • Simmons has 16 assists over the last 3 games.
  • Turner has hit 10 of his last 12 shots.

Comments

Lt. Dangle on 16 January 2009 - 2:29pm #

F*&$ Michigan. That is all.

iballbuckfan on 16 January 2009 - 7:26pm #

Corey, start throwin us a prediction in future previews, may give more insight into whats gonna go down and, as for myself, promise not to lace into you if you're wrong.

I have faith in Simmons to become a solid PG by seasons end. We dont need him to score 15 a game, just control tempo and play D.

Time for Mullens to start steppin up. Although, he's still goin first round if he doesn't so who knows.

[...] Preview: Ohio State at #24 Michigan ElevenWarriors with the OSU preview. [...]

rowdybuckeye on 16 January 2009 - 10:28pm #

if richrod shows up he'll have to deal with them!

corey on 17 January 2009 - 11:21am #

Iball,
I will start throwing predictions in there for you. I have always hesitated because of my inability some times to take off my scarlet glasses.
For today, I think OSU will pull the upset 67-65. UM's outside shooting will be as cold as the weather.

iballbuckfan on 17 January 2009 - 11:34am #

Corey, thanks man! I know those things get tricky, just thought it'd be fun.

I for one am not prepared to call a Buckeye win today an upset. However, given OSU's inconsistency lately, I'll take off the Woody-Vision goggles and say 78-65 Michigan.

Please don't send an angry mob to my house. Thank you.

iballbuckfan on 17 January 2009 - 11:39am #

http://draftking.com/drafthome...

Cool website, not alot of love for the Bucks though.

BrotherBuck on 17 January 2009 - 2:12pm #

I don't care if its tiddley winks -- BEAT MICHIGAN!

poguemahone on 17 January 2009 - 2:29pm #

What makes you say that? Their 2009 mock slobbers all over the Buckeyes. I liked reading it. I'm just hoping the Bengals don't draft and sign yet another player who has terrorized Ohio State in the past.

tampa buckeye on 17 January 2009 - 3:17pm #

PJ Hill needs to get simmons mins. If I see him throw up another nba three im going to puke. His d is nowhere near PJ's. I don't care if PJ scores a point he is still a better choice for us at point.

[...] Eleven Warriors Preview [...]

Eleven Warriors » Michigan Open Thread on 17 January 2009 - 8:30pm #

[...] Preview here. [...]

iballbuckfan on 17 January 2009 - 11:28pm #

McShay had Jenkins going fifth to the Browns.

You're right Pogue, its just the scarlet and grey Kool Aid talkin.

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