B1G Game 13: Gophers Host Michigan (2-10-20)

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Ignatius L Hoops

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HITTING A GROOVE
Or
DAY TO DAY?​

As Kim Barnes-Arico enters her 8th season as Michigan head coach the Wolverines appear to be hitting a groove. Three years ago the Maize and Blue finished 12-4 in the B1G, were invited to and won the WNIT. The next two seasons, Michigan’s 10-6 and 11-7 big ten finishes earned invitations to the NCAA tournament where they advanced to the second round. Last season they defeated Kansas State 84-54 before losing to Louisville 50-71.

However, the Wolverines saw some major change over the summer. Inside power player Hallie Thome (12.3 points/game) and guard Nicole Munger (9.4 point/game) graduated. Plus, guard and one-time Gopher commit, Deja Church (8.5 points and 2.2 assists/game), transferred to DePaul.

Still, with everyone else returning, that allowed a starting lineup of sophomores, Naz Hillmon and Amy Dilk; junior, Haley Brown and seniors Kayla Robbins and Akienreh Johnson. Of course, Naz Hillmon has been the story. Following her 30 point, 10 rebound effort in the 78-63 win over Iowa she was the ESPN W Player of the Week. Last season, even though she came off the bench, Hillmon averaged 24.6 minutes, 13.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. As a starter, Hillmon is now averaging 35.4 minutes, 19.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per conference game.

https://www.michigandaily.com/section/womens-basketball/naz-hillmon-show

Kim Barnes-Arico on Naz Hillmon:

“To me, nobody has figured out how to defend her,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. “I don’t know if she’s defendable. … She affects the game in many ways, she gets offensive rebounds when we need offensive rebounds, she gets defensive stops when we need a big defensive stop.”
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And we can’t forget point guard Amy Dilk whose numbers continue to improve. Last season she averaged 31.1 minutes, 7.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. This season, following a shaky start, the sophomore’s B1G numbers are 36.3 minutes, 11.7 points 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per conference game.

https://www.michigandaily.com/section/womens-basketball/amy-dilks-injection-confidence

Kim Barnes Arico wants Dilk to be an efficient shooter:

“I think for her to take those next steps in her development, similar to what we talked about with (sophomore forward) Naz (Hillmon), is she’s gotta be a more consistent shooter,” said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico at media day prior to the season. “She’s gotta be willing to take those shots and knock down those shots, and she has worked hard on that in the offseason.”
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However, trouble hit seven games into the conference season when Kayla Robbins, a key to the Wolverines defensive schemes, went down with season ending ACL tear during the Nebraska game. After Robbins exit, the Wolverines lost a 13 point third quarter lead and the game 71-74.

Before the injury, Robbins was averaging 11.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Akienreh Johnson is attempting to pick up the defensive slack left by Robbins absence. It was sophomore guard Danielle Rauch who stepped into Robbin’s spot in the starting lineup. Unfortunately, Rauch suffered a hand injury and was replaced by Maddie Nolan for last night’s Purdue game. So that spot remains unsettled.

The Purdue Win:

Last night, at home versus Purdue, Michigan opened strong; but couldn’t shake the persistent Boilers. With 17 seconds remaining, a Naz Hillmon layup increased the Wolverines lead to 66-63. It proved to be the final score. In the last 17 seconds the two teams combined for 4 fouls, two turnovers and an inbound play that resulted in a long video review before Purdue was rewarded one last chance which the Boilers flubbed.

Michigan opened strong from behind the arc in the first half led by Hailey Brown going 3-3. At the break, Michigan, which had led by as many as 15, held a 38-30 advantage. For the game, Michigan finished 7-15 from behind the arc.

It was a night for Michigan’s starters: Hillmon played 38 minutes posting 19 points and 17 rebounds. Johnson: 36 minutes, 17 points and 10 rebounds; Brown: 38 minutes and 16 points; and Dilk: 40 minutes, 5 points and 8 assists.

Last Season Versus Minnesota:

Last season, undefeated and 12th ranked Minnesota arrived in Ann Arbor for a New Year’s Eve showdown with the Wolverines. It was the second game of the B1G season with Minnesota already holding a win over Wisconsin. Michigan celebrated the New Year and the Gophers woke up with a lingering headache. Michigan’s 25 point second quarter fueled a 40-22 Wolverine advantage. Michigan’s 25 point 3rd quarter increased the Wolverines lead to 65-41 and they coasted to a 76-60 win. Minnesota lost six of their next seven games. Michigan also floundered during the first half of the B1G season going 3-6; but they excelled during the second half with a 8-1 record propelling them to an NCAA tournament invite.

It wasn’t as if Hallie Thome dominated the Gophers. Thome played 22 minutes with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Deja Church contributed 13 points. Among this season’s returnees, Amy Dilk scored 14 points, Naz Hillmon and Hailey Brown each had 9. For Minnesota, Taiye Bello led the way with 24 points and 7 rebounds in 38 minutes. Unfortunately, Taiye didn’t receive much help, Destiny Pitts scored 1 point in 39 minute and Jasmine Brunson had 10 points and 6 turnovers.

Whose Groove Is It?

Minnesota (5-7) enters the game winners of three straight while Michigan (6-5) has won two straight and three of four. Both teams are permanently minus a major offensive cog (Pitts for Minnesota and Robbins for Michigan). Both teams have players who are, apparently, day to day; Brunson, Scalia and Rauch. It’s a second half of the season showdown with music reserved for one party only.


The Two Headed Wolverine:

Naz Hillmon’s (who needs Hallie Thome?) last six games:


TeamPtsRebAsstMinFoul
Wisconsin21142331
Nebraska1564324
Rutgers20121373
Northwestern2785401
Iowa30102402
Purdue19121382


Amy Dilk’s last six games:

TeamPtsRebAsstMinFoul
Wisconsin1262363
Nebraska964325
Rutgers1135354
Northwestern1553374
Iowa1426402
Purdue538402


B1G Wins: Penn State 82-48, Michigan State 89-69, @Wisconsin 68-56, Rutgers 71-57, Iowa 78-63

B1G Losses: @ Maryland 55-70, @ Ohio State 69-78, Maryland 49-77, @ Nebraska 71-74, @ Northwestern 73-81


Probable Starters (B1G Stats):

HGTPOSYRPLAYERMINAVGREB
6’2”FSoNaz Hillmon35.419.89.8
6’0”GSoAmy Dilk36.311.74.5
6’0”GSrAkienreh Johnson32.310.46.8
6’1”FJrHalley Brown28.79.72.9
5’8”GSoDanielle Rauch14.31.81.3


Bench (B1G Stats):

HGTPOSYRPLAYERMINAVGREB
6’4”CFrIzabel Varejao12.14.52.5
5’8”GFrMichelle Sidor7.52.30.5
6’3”FSoEmily Kiser7.42.11.3
5’9”GFrMaddie Nolan11.71.21.3
6’0”GJrPriscilla Smeenge3.10.20.2
 

What are the Gophers probable starters?
 

One could bill this game as a showdown between the current (approximately) 2nd and 3rd place front-runners for the Katrina McClain Award for the best Power Forward.

There's lots of ways one could rank power forwards, but since I just did it (based largely on double-doubles and offensive rebounds) I'll copy my top three here. This data is a game or two out of date, but nevertheless a good indicator of the Taiye Bello vs Naz Hillmon match-up next week.

NameSchool (Cl)GDbl-DblPts + RebPts/GOff Reb/GDef Reb/GReb/GBlk/GStl/GFG%FT%Dbl-Dbl/G
Unique ThompsonAuburn (Jr)
20​
19​
29.15​
17.00​
5.25​
6.90​
12.15​
0.50​
1.70​
58.7%​
71.4%​
0.95​
Taiye BelloMinnesota (Sr)
21​
11​
23.00​
12.52​
4.48​
6.00​
10.48​
1.90​
1.10​
53.8%​
70.8%​
0.52​
Naz HillmonMichigan (So)
21​
6​
26.10​
17.29​
4.33​
4.48​
8.81​
0.19​
0.81​
57.1%​
65.2%​
0.29​

Taiye has about twice as many double-doubles, but not as many average points per game as Naz. Their FG% are about 3% better for Naz, but FT% about 6% better for Taiye. Taiye has lots more blocks per game, and about 1.5 more rebounds per game.

For reference, the current front-runner for the award is Unique Thompson of Auburn (with an asterisk, in that she is pretty much the main scorer for Auburn, who is 3rd-to-last in the SEC). Keeping apples to apples comparison (that is, within the Big Ten), Taiye Bello and Naz Hillmon are easily the leading power forwards in the Big Ten
 

Looks like Scalia is good to go. Both Bellos starting.
 

Losing 23-14 at end of 1. We cannot stop Hilman and we are hard pressed to score. T Bello with 2 fouls.
 


Michigans size giving us fits on both ends right now.
 

11 pt lead for MI at half. Scalia and Hubbard scoreless. Powell can’t do it all maybe get the ball to Masha more will need one heck of a halftime talk to turn this game around.
 


37-26 MICH at the half

Hillmon and Dilk with 11 pts ea

Powell with 17 pts
 



Gee sure would like to know why refs up Hillmon’s ass. Traveled never called, Powell charge was her foul, and she plowed into taiye but of course it went on taiye. Gophers down a starter and Michigan still needs this much help is pretty pathetic
 

bball_craz_26 said:
Gee sure would like to know why refs up Hillmon’s ass. Traveled never called, Powell charge was her foul, and she plowed into taiye but of course it went on taiye. Gophers down a starter and Michigan still needs this much help is pretty pathetic
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That call on Taiye was definitely questionable. Gonna need her to stay out of foul trouble to have a chance in this one.
 

Quit blaming the refs, we need to play some defense, and ole’ is not a form of defense, contrary to some people’s belief.
 

Hubbard needs to shoot less, or maybe the coach should play Adashchyk more?
 



Would be nice to see us go inside and kick occasionally.. . The ball goes inside and and everybody stands and watches
 

Way to many easy hoops for Michigan. Need to box out, move your feet, and stop watching the ball.
 

Turnover and an easy hoop from 2 feet. Just can’t happen that easy.
 



Quit turning the ball over, even when they get a stop and work hard, they turn right around and give it back.
 


Hubbard 0 pts on 0-6, 0 ast
Too many games like this.
She’s gotta come off the bench.
 

First chance I’ve had to really watch a game from start to finish. Really poor defensive effort. Way to many back door baskets. Poor communication and almost no switches which led to many easy baskets. Defense is all about communication, moving your feet, and help defense, none tonight!
 

Horrible, really Jeykel and Hyde team. Diva has been in an extremely long drought
 

Diva has no arch in her shots. Line drives are a tough way to score. It’s gotta be in the middle or it’s not going down.
 

Outsider said:
First chance I’ve had to really watch a game from start to finish. Really poor defensive effort. Way to many back door baskets. Poor communication and almost no switches which led to many easy baskets. Defense is all about communication, moving your feet, and help defense, none tonight!
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Help defense has been one of their strengths all year but it was non existent tonight. Michigans size was a major factor tonight but Gophers gave them way too many easy looks.
 

I think we started the second half trying to run our offense through Kehinde Bello. I have no idea why.
 

Need better players. Michigan had way more athleticism. Hope next year looks better.
 

Very disappointed in the lack of defensive effort tonight. MI was taking uncontested 3's and we were flat footed on way too many drives to the basket. Through 3 quarters MI. was shooting over 50% and we were in the 30ish %. Our % went into the 40% by the 4th quarter but we couldn't stop MI. T. Bello looks disinterested and settled for jump shots when she was beating them to the rim. In general, we were slow to react on D and Powell was our only player who had the speed to close tonight. I was hoping after pulling out the big Rutgers W this team would come out fired up and play with more confidence. On the bright side the give away t-shirts were cool and the halftime show with the dogs was awesome !
 

Minutes Played. Another 40 for Powell. I think we saw the limit for Kehinde Bello-she was pretty spent each time she was subbed out.

40 Powell
35 Taiye Bello
32 Scalia
30 Adashchyk
26 Hubbard
16 Kehinde Bello
15 Sconiers
6 Tomancova
 

Before everybody gets down on the loss, you have to give this team props for battling through adversity to win the prior 3 games. Tonight was one of those nights where we just didn't have the energy or intensity to play with Michigan. Scalia was a game time decision with that ankle and with Brunson still out, it finally caught up to us. Diva struggled but on her behalf she just couldn't get in the offensive flow of the game, her strength isn't coming off a high ball screen... and yes lack of energy will equate to lack of D every time...
On to Ohio St. - get a W there and we are looking at scenarios to make the tourney
 

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