Michigan basketball gets an NCAA Tournament rematch with No. 6 Duke in Maui
LAHAINA, Hawaii -- Immediately after beating Tennessee on Monday, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said he couldn't offer much insight on what he expects to get from the Michigan basketball team Tuesday.
He said he hadn't watched the Wolverines yet, and couldn't elaborate much.
However, when asked a second question about Tennessee later in the postgame news conference, Krzyzewski said his mind went blank -- his brain already consumed with what his group may see from John Beilein and company.
"I'm on Detroit's time zone now," he said.
No. 15 Michigan (4-0) will get a shot at redemption Tuesday when it takes on No. 6 Duke (7 p.m., ESPN) during the second round of the 2011 Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center.
The contest will be a rematch of Michigan's heartbreaking two-point loss during the second round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Michigan coach John Beilein instructs his team during a win over Memphis Monday at the Maui Invitational. The Wolverines play Duke at 7 p.m. today.
AP Photo
Michigan had a chance to send the game into overtime, but former point guard Darius Morris narrowly misfired on a runner in the lane at the buzzer, giving the Blue Devils the 73-71 win and ending the Wolverines' season.
Krzyzewski said he doesn't know much about this year's Michigan team, except that it's basically the same group his squad faced last March.
"I just know that they return just about their whole team and they've got a really good freshman point guard," said Krzyzewski, whose team advanced through the first round in Maui on Monday with a 77-67 win over Tennessee. "John does a great job, he's got a veteran team and for them to beat Memphis like that, they must've played a great basketball game.
"Because Memphis is one of the most talented teams in the country."
Michigan continued on in the winner's bracket after scoring a 73-61 win over the athletic Tigers on Monday, getting 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Tim Hardaway Jr., while freshman point guard Trey Burke dropped in 14 points and four assists.
Duke (5-0), who already scored an impressive win over Michigan State earlier this season, was led by freshman sensation Austin Rivers during its win over Tennessee. Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, scored a game-high 18 points.
The winner of Tuesday's matchup moves into the Maui Invitational championship game, which is slated for 10 p.m. Wednesday. The loser plays in the consolation game at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Both games will be broadcast by ESPN.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Bludogg97
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 6:46 p.m.
Agreed 81Wolverine.. this years team is bigger and more physical, Horford and Smotz both gained like 30lbs in the off season,and they're D last night was the key to victory imo..Trey Burke will be better at the point in time,he has a great first step,and can bring the ball up court very well against pressure.. Duke is loaded with talent, in which we'll see tonight. Memphis was rated #8 going into that game last night,but J.B. put on a coaching clinic,and the M players carried it out for the victory.. GO BLUE beat Duke,and that school down south Saturday..
81wolverine
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
Hopefully, Michigan can get the Duke "monkey" off our back and beat them tonight. Michigan came close last year. I'd like our chances better if Morris was still on the team, due to his experience and matchup problem he presents with his size. Trey Burke is going to be a better point guard than Morris eventually, but he's still a freshman who's only played 4 games. Either way though, the Memphis win was a great win for the program. Memphis has a lot of talent. But Beilein was clearly the more experienced coach on the floor. That made all the difference.