How does a team get prepared for a game against Michigan after the battle they had against rival Louisville? Well, that's exactly what Kentucky has to do leading into tomorrow nights showdown against the Wolverines with the winner earning a spot in the Final Four.
Michigan was impressive in their win over Tennessee Friday night same as Kentucky was impressive in their win over Louisville, both teams looked really, really good. Kentucky however will more than likely be shorthanded after Willie Cauley-Stein injured his ankle early in last nights game. When Willie said he "heard it pop", you knew he was done for the night and possibly the remainder of the season however long that may be. You gotta hope Willie can make a miracle comeback by tomorrow night, but for now, you've got to prepare as if he isn't going to play because that seems to be the most likely result of the injury.
The Wildcats will have their hands full with Michigan Sunday night as they are a team who can put points on the board in a hurry. They can score in so many different ways that they seem somewhat impossible to guard. On the defensive side of the ball, they are just as good if not better. Their interior defense is one of the best in the country and they rebound the ball exceptionally well also. So Kentucky will have to dig down and play its best game of the season to have a chance to win and with Cauley-Stein not being available it may take more than their best game.
Here's a look at some stats so you can get an idea as to what to expect from Michigan tomorrow night...
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You don't have to be a coaching genius here to figure out what Kentucky has got to do in this game. First and foremost, GUARD THE THREE. Michigan, as a team is shooting a ridiculous 40% from three on the season and when you add in the fact that four guys are shooting 40% or better individually you know perimeter defense is a priority. They simply cannot give up open shots from the outside, if that happens things get ugly in a hurry. Next, rebounding. Kentucky has got to continue to crash the boards like they have all season long. Michigan will try to neutralize Julius Randle the same way they did Jarnell Stokes of Tennessee Friday night. Julius simply can't allow that to happen. He will have to assert himself in a way he hasn't had to so far this season and with Willie being out, Dakari Johnson will have to pick-up the slack in the rebounding department.
Kentucky will also have to hit their free throws and keep Michigan off the line in the process. As a team, Michigan is hitting 75% from the charity stripe on the season, so fouling them will just make things worse. Finally, turnovers. Against Louisville, we seen some senseless/unforced turnovers that led to the Cards taking a big lead in the first half. I'm sure nerves played a large part in some of those turnovers, but you can't let nerves get the best of you against a team like Michigan. If you allow the Wolverines to get easy baskets off of unforced turnovers, then this game becomes even harder than it already is.
This should be a good game and no matter the outcome, it's been of helluva season. If you would've told me back in February that Kentucky would be in the Elite Eight and would have a legit shot at a Final Four birth, I would've told you that you were insane. However, flash forward a month and here we are, in the Elite Eight with a shot at a Final Four birth.
This season has not lived up to the preseason expectations which were more than absurd, but this team has found itself and turned things around at just the right time. Can they win tomorrow night? They absolutely can. Will they win tomorrow night? That's the beauty of college basketball, you have to play the game and see what you got when the final horn sounds.
Like I said earlier, no matter the outcome, this has been one helluva season/ride, enjoy it while it lasts.
GO CATS AND BELIEVE IN THE TWEAK!!!!!
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