We had a number of really good looks. If half of those go down, much closer game. They got really hot from 3. But we stayed competitive throughout.
It was one of the most masterful losses I have seen. There is no way they should have been able to keep it that close. And...if Michigan hadn't gotten red hot from 3 point range, making about 4 in a row, it might have been a nail biter.
Did you notice where they got most of there 3s? It was in the deep corners. Niko is actually running a 2-2-1 defense. That leaves the freethrow line and the deep corners open. I have wondered when an opponent would exploit that area against the Gophers zone and we saw it tonight.
Deep corner 3s, which is the weak spot in the 2-2-1 zone Niko is running.
That's what you want to do to a physically far superior team- make them beat you from deep. It's a chance. We lost by 10 but if Michigan has an off night and shoots 25-30% from 3 instead of the 42% they shot on 33 attempts- we would have been right to the wire.
I never tire of watching this team play. For me, this goes back to when Medved was hired and I said, I'm not sure how successful we'll end up being under him, but I know it's going to be a beautiful offense to watch play. It's very entertaining.
Shinholter doesn’t see much court time does he?
That was a big miss. That said, the officials the last two games have been respectful of the Gophers’ predicament. I’m hopeful this also means respect for Nico’s coaching much like the benefit of the doubt given to Bo Ryan’s teams.
Very true...to the tune of zero fouls in the first half against Rutgers.
He has exceeded expectations just by seeing the court and giving some very game minutes, but I think the writing is on the wall for Shinholter. When you’re literally the only available guy on the bench, and the coach gives you minimal minutes, it speaks volumes. I expect to see him at a smaller school next year.