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Posted on Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 7 p.m.

Five keys for Michigan basketball entering the second half of Big Ten play

By Michael Rothstein

UM_Iowa_Horford.jpg

One key to success in the second half of the Big Ten season: More Jon Horford (15).

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan basketball team has reached the halfway point of the Big Ten season and had had an interesting journey along the way.

The Wolverines have seen signs of progress (a win at Michigan State) and games where nothing worked (losses at Indiana and Northwestern).

Let's analyze what Michigan has done well and not-so-well thus far in Big Ten play by listing the five keys to improvement in the second half of the league season, which starts Thursday at No. 1 Ohio State (7 p.m., ESPN).

1. Less foul trouble: Redshirt freshman forward Jordan Morgan and freshman Evan Smotrycz have spent portions of many first halves on the bench after picking up early fouls. What Michigan saw the past two games in wins over Michigan State and Iowa is what happens when those two starters don’t end up watching. They are productive and the Wolverines offense flows better.

2. Rediscover their defense: Michigan’s defensive woes during the Big Ten have been documented. The Wolverines have struggled on the perimeter and inside, allowing more than 1.1 points per possession in every league game except Michigan State (.97). It isn’t just the competition, though. The Wolverines seemed to move away from the team defense they played well in the first two months of the season.

3. More Jon Horford: The freshman forward is remarkably efficient despite playing limited minutes behind Jordan Morgan. He has the third-highest offensive rating on the Wolverines (107.7) behind Zack Novak (121.1) and Darius Morris (114.7). He also has the team's highest defensive rebound percentage (25.3).

4. Let Darius Be Darius: When Morris has been comfortable in the offense and allowed to really create, he has been nothing short of magnificent. He’s leading the Wolverines in scoring (15.4 ppg) and been one of the best passers in the country. When he is going, the Wolverines are able to compete with most of the Big Ten.

5. Keep moving the ball: The Wolverines showed the past two games what coach John Beilein’s offense can look like when it is run precisely and unselfishly. The Wolverines had a season-high 22 assists against Iowa with many baskets coming after an extra pass. Michigan did that successfully, too, against Michigan State. The Wolverines have been at their best this season when they have made the extra pass to find the open shooter.

NOTE: Michigan left Tuesday for Columbus as a precaution against the weather.

Michael Rothstein covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein .

Comments

Michael Rothstein

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.

Chelsea Bob, According to statsheet, 49th nationally. 62.8 a game. That's pretty good.

ChelseaBob

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 4:52 p.m.

the 5 keys for the rest of the season are; 1. penetrate 2. penetrate 3. penetrate 4. penetrate 5. penetrate When this team passes or drives into the paint, the defense collapses and we get uncovered threes, which we make. When we ignore the paint and just try to tee it up outside, other teams cheat out and challenge. It only works if we penetrate. Defensively I am very impressed with our season. Mike, do you know where we are ranked in points allowed?

tater

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 1:26 a.m.

I like this analysis. I think foul trouble is partly being "new" and not having a "rep" with refs yet; they allow upperclassmen (or people wearing green and white) to play much more aggressively on both ends of the court than newcomers. As for defense, it is always a constant battle with a young team. They think they are giving it their all sometimes when they really aren't. Senior leadership would help here, but there are no seniors. The Horford stat is interesting, considering how much some "Michigan fans" rag on him. One would think he was terrible if it wasn't for silly things like facts that so often get in the way of good rants. I think your last two points can be reasonably juxtaposed. It's easier for Darius to "be Darius" when they are moving the ball around more, and vice-versa. Whether one is disappointed, pleasantly surprised, or simply amused, it has definitely been an interesting season so far. I'm looking forward to more of the same.