I'm having a hard time not taking Kansas in this game ATS.
Michigan is coming out of a blowout against VCU which was clearly a game won on the defensive side of the court, Michigan only scoring 4 points over their season average.
Also agianst a VCU team that was clearly overmatched physicaly and statiscaly, I think a lot is to be said for Shaka Smart's coaching ability here.
Kansas is the best defensive team in the country by a wide margin, keeping teams on a average 35.7 FG PCT (Michigan 47.9). With what could be the best (guard) defensive man in the game in Releford who will be on Burke for I promise you 35+ minutes of the game I cant see him living up to his season average. Burke accounting for over 25% of Michigans points will have a hard time shaking Releford who is a taller, stronger and just as quick to defend the hoop. If he even gets past Releford he will have Kansas's second best defender in the 7ft tall Jeff Withey to get bye.
Kansas's defense will be to much for a team that lives outside the paint. Even if Michigan can shoot 40% from the 3pt line, they will be beat on the boards and in the paint. My only worry is if Bill sends another cold team to the floor the first 20 minutes. Kansas has them out coached and outmatched defensivly and in the paint.
Thoughts?
Michigan is coming out of a blowout against VCU which was clearly a game won on the defensive side of the court, Michigan only scoring 4 points over their season average.
Also agianst a VCU team that was clearly overmatched physicaly and statiscaly, I think a lot is to be said for Shaka Smart's coaching ability here.
Kansas is the best defensive team in the country by a wide margin, keeping teams on a average 35.7 FG PCT (Michigan 47.9). With what could be the best (guard) defensive man in the game in Releford who will be on Burke for I promise you 35+ minutes of the game I cant see him living up to his season average. Burke accounting for over 25% of Michigans points will have a hard time shaking Releford who is a taller, stronger and just as quick to defend the hoop. If he even gets past Releford he will have Kansas's second best defender in the 7ft tall Jeff Withey to get bye.
Kansas's defense will be to much for a team that lives outside the paint. Even if Michigan can shoot 40% from the 3pt line, they will be beat on the boards and in the paint. My only worry is if Bill sends another cold team to the floor the first 20 minutes. Kansas has them out coached and outmatched defensivly and in the paint.
Thoughts?