Michigan Compared to Tulsa

[I.I.]

Looks like an all-underclassman team. One starting senior went out with an injury at about the 15 game mark.

Their starters are

6'6"
6'1"
6'8"
6'4"
6'9" shares minutes

They are very balanced in scoring with most players averaging from 9-13points per game.

Excellent 3 point shooters, Robinson shoots 44% from the three and 90% from the line. They are second in the Big Ten I think. Rebounding is only average in the Big Ten which helps us a lot with our small frontline.

Looks like another game where we have to close quicker on the three point shooters than we have most of the year and have a good shooting night ourselves and control the boards. I think we can compete . We have done well against the Big Ten in the past..

 

[bigzit]

NO ZONE plz

 

[I.I.]

NO ZONE plz

agree....not much please

 

[drboobay]

Right play man defense maybe swapping zone for a few posessions to mix it up.

 

[t-townpod]

Guard oriented team, Saw them a couple times including the Northwestern game which they could have easily lost.

 

[Gold*]

 

[Tulsafanzz]

Michigan does have a very good coach, John Beilein. He has taken 4 teams to the NCAA tournament, & has a 16-9 NCAA tournament record. They will scout us well.

 

[ctt8410]

They're as good as any offense we've played this year in the halfcourt. Even without LeVert. Great ball movement. Tremendous shooters. No turnovers and very little attacking the glass. Get a good look and then get back on defense. Robinson, in particular, is a true stretch 4 who's attempted more than twice as many 3s as 2s this year.

On defense? They're the anti-Cincinnati. Lots of Beilein's 1-3-1. Not a physical team. Very little jumping the passing lanes for steals. No real shot blocker. In conference play, Big 10 teams shot nearly 56% inside the arc. You can get easy shots against these guys by running a good zone offense. And, unlike the Memphis game, we'll get plenty of looks from 3.

 

[quincy101]

They can scout the quickness of Shaq & Juice going to the hole but can they deal with it in reality? And Woodard & Birt will shoot better than @ Memphis-couldn't get any worse. Got a feeling they will play fanatical man to man & actually guard the 3-pt shooter(for a welcome change). Mich is in for a battle!

 

[Gold*]

All I'm saying is our Coney Island > their Coney Island

 

[Weatherdemon]

Hines has a little info on Michigan here: http://m.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra...cle_27b2669d-dc21-524f-a280-e0311ef915b5.html

 

[JakePDR21]

Michigan plays VERY little zone and when they do it's not always the 1-3-1.

 

[TulsaCane12]

Their ability to shoot the 3 worries me like none other. Been terrible at guarding the perimeter. Our D from the 2nd half of the Temple game needs to show up and play that way all through the tournament. That was smothering! As little zone as possible in my opinion

 

[TU_BLA]

They're as good as any offense we've played this year in the halfcourt. Even without LeVert. Great ball movement. Tremendous shooters. No turnovers and very little attacking the glass. Get a good look and then get back on defense. Robinson, in particular, is a true stretch 4 who's attempted more than twice as many 3s as 2s this year.

On defense? They're the anti-Cincinnati. Lots of Beilein's 1-3-1. Not a physical team. Very little jumping the passing lanes for steals. No real shot blocker. In conference play, Big 10 teams shot nearly 56% inside the arc. You can get easy shots against these guys by running a good zone offense. And, unlike the Memphis game, we'll get plenty of looks from 3.

Haith needs to give you a job as opponent breakdown and game plan specialist.

 

[I.I.]

The USA TODAY breakdown on Michigan sounded like you could insert the word TULSA. " they can be a streaky shooting team. When their shots aren't falling, they can look a little lost. When they shoot well, look out. "

 

[ctt8410]

Michigan plays VERY little zone and when they do it's not always the 1-3-1.

Thanks for the correction. I watched you guys a ton over the past couple weeks, but was often flipping between games or watching on a small screen when my son demanded Mickey Mouse. Either way, I suspect you'll play more zone than normal against us. Everyone does.

 

[JakePDR21]

Hard to say. Our zone wasn't all that effective when used in large doses(rarely) and ever since JBs been here it's only been used as a change in look. It wouldn't shock me though if we use it here and there.

 

[texcane1982]

Thanks for the correction. I watched you guys a ton over the past couple weeks, but was often flipping between games or watching on a small screen when my son demanded Mickey Mouse. Either way, I suspect you'll play more zone than normal against us. Everyone does.

Has TU seen much 1-3-1 this year? Such a zone would seem hard for Shaq to get to the rim, yet provide more kick-out opportunities to Juice and The Sequel if the one of the 2 wings of 1-3-1 attempt to help cut-off the lanes.

TX

 

[texcane1982]

Hard to say. Our zone wasn't all that effective when used in large doses(rarely) and ever since JBs been here it's only been used as a change in look. It wouldn't shock me though if we use it here and there.

Tulsa has a very quick and physical PG (6-4, 180ish) who is extremely 1-deminisional offensively, but his one skills set can be a big problem. He's as good as slashing G/F at taking his man to the rim and challenging big's who try to stop him, regardless of their size. He plays like a point-forward, very good handle, solid vision, and aggressive. He averages in the neighborhood of 15 ppg, practically every point as result of getting to the rim or free throws. He doesn't have much of an outside game (only 7 of 40 from beyond the arc), and Tulsa's only (3) who converted +30% beyond the arc can be very streaky, thus most opponents answer to this is playing a zone to cut down TU's 4-out 1-in slash to the rim sets.


TX

 

[tutailgator]

I am a die hard Michigan fan having grown up there when I first developed my love for sports. When I moved to Tulsa about 16 years ago, I adopted TU because I figured OU and OSU had plenty of fans. And well, because I LIVE IN TULSA!. Anyway, I have watched every Michigan game this year and I have not missed attending a TU home game in several years and watch every road game. I am also a donor to both athletic depts. So you could say I am a die hard Michigan AND Tulsa fan. Our teams are very similar in that both are heavily guard oriented that relies on turnovers and outside shots. I think TU's bigs will match up well with Michigan's. If Duncan Robinson gets hot, watch out. He is tall and has maybe the prettiest shot I have ever seen. I assume Birt will be on him and he needs to stay close. Harrison on Walton Jr will be fun to watch. I can see this being a high scoring game if both teams get hot.
I was watching the selection show (barely) while awaiting to see where both of my teams would land in the NIT. I think my wife thought I was dying I was yelling so loud from my TU man cave when they made the announcement. Lol. I guess I'll chose my Hat tomorrow like the kids do on signing day. Haha

 

[T Up]

Has TU seen much 1-3-1 this year? Such a zone would seem hard for Shaq to get to the rim, yet provide more kick-out opportunities to Juice and The Sequel if the one of the 2 wings of 1-3-1 attempt to help cut-off the lanes.

I agree with the thought however, Shaq is not a very good drive and dish point guard. He is a drive and try to score or be fouled player. Although the emergence of Swanny as a scorer has helped increase Shaq's inside assists. But again seldom does he pass it out once he starts his drive. One of the reasons that Woodard especially, and Birt need to look to shoot first when any opening presents itself. If one or both of them aren't scoring we aren't dancing!

 

[astonmartin708_rivals]

I agree with the thought however, Shaq is not a very good drive and dish point guard. He is a drive and try to score or be fouled player. Although the emergence of Swanny as a scorer has helped increase Shaq's inside assists. But again seldom does he pass it out once he starts his drive. One of the reasons that Woodard especially, and Birt need to look to shoot first when any opening presents itself. If one or both of them aren't scoring we aren't dancing!

Woodard and Birt are a very good pick and pop combo coming off screens. If a help defender cheats off of shaq when they take a look at the rim, he usually gets the ball in a track meet position. 2 dribbles and he's at the rim for an acrobatic layup or a dish to Swanny.

Honestly I'm not tooooo worried about the offense. The defense is what is going to mean winning or losing. I don't think Birt will draw Robinson much. Birt gives up 3 inches in that matchup, and he's better when he's not guarding the other teams best player. I think Smitty will be a much better match there. He can keep Robinson honest (as long as it's man to man. Smitty gets lost in zone at times) and he's one of our better rebounders. 6-7 vs. 6-8 seems more advantageous to me. Birt's always been best as a 3 man.

 

[Tulsafanzz]

How quick is Robinson? Smith bites on pump fakes, & gets driven around a lot.

 

[texcane1982]

I agree with the thought however, Shaq is not a very good drive and dish point guard. He is a drive and try to score or be fouled player. Although the emergence of Swanny as a scorer has helped increase Shaq's inside assists. But again seldom does he pass it out once he starts his drive. One of the reasons that Woodard especially, and Birt need to look to shoot first when any opening presents itself. If one or both of them aren't scoring we aren't dancing!

That's true, however Shaq has shown improvement from last season forcing the ball to the rim. Seems like he dishes more to the post players than the guards. As mentioned above, TU really gets rolling when the Shaq catches defenders trying to switch on the perimeter screen, and burns them with the pick and pop. In the AAC tourney Goodwin disrupted the pick and pop and perimeter dribble reversal by hedging the screens. When Goodwin left the paint Harrison was unable to beat the help defense, missing opportunities to feed Swanny and Wright. For whatever reason Shaq did a poor ob adjusting to this look.

The Memphis games were the most glaring games I can recall off top of my head where he started forcing the points.

TX

 

[Tulsafanzz]

From all these comments, it appears our 3 point defense (&/or both teams 3 point shooting) is the key to the game. I hope we play a lot of man defense & close out well on their shooters.

 

[astonmartin708_rivals]

How quick is Robinson? Smith bites on pump fakes, & gets driven around a lot.

Who cares? Robinson averages 6 3PA per game but only 8 total attempts. I'd rather he drive than shoot 3's over Birt who tends to sag off stretch 4's.

Heck, our philosophy the entire night should be 'make them beat you off the dribble'

 

[JakePDR21]

How quick is Robinson? Smith bites on pump fakes, & gets driven around a lot.

Not all that quick, but with his shooting ability he most definitely has the ability to pump fake, take a few dribbles for a mid range shot or drive to the rim. Making him put the ball on the floor is definitely the best option vs stand and shoot.

 

[nevadanatural]

jm2117, let me say how refreshing it is to have a fan of one of our opponents come on here and actually talk basketball rather than just spouting a bunch of chest thumping nonsense. I hope both teams play well but Tulsa plays just a little better.

 

[JakePDR21]

We're in the play in game, after expecting to be a top 4-5 seed coming into the year. How much chest thumping can we do? This is a frustrating bunch to watch and was before we lost Spike and Lavert.

 

[TUBballJunkie]

Ya I'm not sure what to think about a knowledgable opposing fan that actually wants to discuss a match up...

 

[astonmartin708_rivals]

Ya I'm not sure what to think about a knowledgable opposing fan that actually wants to discuss a match up...

Must be a plant by the Michigan coaches. Mr. Beilein, is that you?

 

[Gold*]

Yeah, thanks for not being Houston or Cinci fans that just show up and bash us.

 

[Bill Lowery_1]

We're in the play in game, after expecting to be a top 4-5 seed coming into the year. How much chest thumping can we do? This is a frustrating bunch to watch and was before we lost Spike and Lavert.

I too want to thank you for having a good basketball discussion without all the smack talk we get most of the time.

I've been a Michigan football fan for many years and love the Harbaugh hire. I can't wait to see him lead the team to an undefeated season and a national championship. I loved him as a player and now as a college coach.

That Michigan State loss was unreal and still hurts to this day

 

[TUBballJunkie]

Yeah, thanks for not being Houston or Cinci fans that just show up and bash us.

And generally just not being a moran.

I haven't gone looking for stats...is this our first ever matchup? And is Wisconsin the last Big 10 team we've faced?

 

[TUBballJunkie]

Ooh no Maryland probably last.

 

[JakePDR21]

I too want to thank you for having a good basketball discussion without all the smack talk we get most of the time.

I've been a Michigan football fan for many years and love the Harbaugh hire. I can't wait to see him lead the team to an undefeated season and a national championship. I loved him as a player and now as a college coach.

That Michigan State loss was unreal and still hurts to this day

I still haven't seen the MSU player pass the 15 yard line or so to this day. Was sick to my stomach for days.

 

[JakePDR21]

If any of you like to view matchups by advanced metrics, this is a very good site:
www.umhoops.com. They do a good job.

 

[blockm2]

keys to game

when Tulsa has ball:
1) get to the rim on pick and rolls (michigan can struggle to defend penetration)
2) make 3s as Michigan will likely sag off to close off the lane because of #1
3) get back on defense, Michigan is very good on the defensive glass and will run all day on missed shots if you don't get back

when Michigan has the ball
1) stay patient and don't force things, open shots will happen if they don't get antsy
2) make the open 3s they get
3) back door cuts and hitting the roll man when Tulsa overplays the perimeter
4) Tulsa should run on every missed shot they get as Michigan tends to get lost in transition D

 

[Barlass]

Ooh no Maryland probably last.

We also played (and lost) to Illinois in a pre-season tournament under Woj.

The last time we beat a Big Ten team? Probably Minnesota in the '01 NIT.

 

[tutailgator]

After much thought and deliberation.....while wearing my Michigan hat with my TU shirt on today at work....I have decided to root for......

TU!

Actually, it wasn't that hard of a decision. TU stands to gain more with a win and to lose more with a loss. My beloved Wolverines will be able to withstand a loss. Either way, one of my teams will play my second least favorite college team of all time on Friday night. (Ohio St and Houston rank right up there too). I also want this for our 9 SR's badly! Let's go Hurricane!!