mgoblogging

Rebirth.  Another chance.

Forget about Michigan State for now.  And Iowa too.

It is all because of Charles Matthews and he is back.  Optimism.

What a day, beginning at 10:30 MT with Ohio State - Michigan State and ending with Michigan - Iowa at 7:30.

Bad loss at Iowa?  Here is a chance to make up for it.

Right now they're showing a replay of Minny and Penn State.  It went to overtime.

It all starts with Iowa.

The Big Ten Tournament So Far

Maryland lost because Bruno Fernando was double teamed.  Purdue lost because Carson Edwards is not great.  Indiana is out because they are terrible.  Nick Ward looks big and Michigan State beat Michigan without him.

Iowa Live

Michigan started out OK and then slowed.  Matthews missed every shot until a free throw went in.  Simpson has been relatively ineffective and Brooks is playing.

Iowa is solid but they are not great; their record in the middle of the league is appropriate.  They are slow.  Michigan has a few steals from quicker hands. Cloddy 2's; they are not good outside shooters.

Tyler Cook looks agile for 6 feet 9 inches and we all know Garza can score.  But 2's against steals and 3's is not going to work.  Double down on Garza and you can take it out of his hands.

This game can be won.  Michigan is leading because they are better athletes and shooters.

40-27 at the half.  Zavier Simpson 8 assists, 3-3 FGs.  Michigan 6 steals.  Teske 3/3 FG 2/2 FT.  Livers 4/5 9 points.  Michigan 7/16 3PT, Iowa 0/8.  That is enough to win--talent and technique--if they keep it up.

Second half prediction:  more of the same and Michigan 75 Iowa 58 final.

Actually...  Mathews dumb foul.  Iggy dumb turnover and foul was really dumb.  Just play:  Poole 4-point play.

Matthews and Poole on the bench with 3 fouls each.  Good, they'll sit.  Iowa is terrible and they are catching-up at the free throw line.

I would like to see David DeJulius and some speed.  Desperate Iowa with full-court pressure when they do not have the quickness.  Just play and Iowa will go down.  They are like a team full of Austin Davis players:  they are a step slow.

Fran McCaffery, pretty mediocre.  He replaced Todd Lickliter who followed Steve Alford.  It seems that Iowa would be improved if they recruited better players.

It is now 59-35 and it isn't because Michigan is playing great.  It is a sloppy game and the second half is endless.

As for the tournament, Michigan got a good draw.  Sparty will take care of Wisconsin and the Wolverines get #7 seed Minnesota in the semifinals.

61-38 with 11:07 still left.

Iowa does not have a point guard.  They are just playing and not even trying to win.  Tyler Cook driving for a hard-fought, one on one 2.  Down 20, what is the point?  The press too is just half-assed window dressing.  They have 2 steals in the game so far.

Slow white guys is good enough for 10-10 in the Big Ten and that is better than some bigger name programs with national recruits like Indiana and Ohio State.

74-53.