Michigan played its worst defensive game since November 21st, 2007. That was John Beilein’s fourth game as Michigan’s coach against Butler in the Alaska Shootout.
Michigan’s defensive issues on Saturday were plentiful. Iowa shredded the Wolverines in transition, on the glass, in the paint, everywhere. Michigan’s defense routinely got caught in screens, got caught ball watching or didn’t find its man in transition defense. With such a disappointing performance across the board, it should come as no surprise that the defensive score sheet is ugly. Glenn Robinson III and Jon Horford graded out better than Michigan’s other rotation players, but that’s not saying much.
- Caris LeVert fell asleep on several of Marble’s made threes. The mistakes he made in Iowa City were the sort that we saw often early in the year, but he had seemed to eradicate in recent weeks. Michigan as a team, just seemed to lack focus on the defensive end from the opening tip. LeVert led Michigan in both field goals allowed and field goals defended.
- Jordan Morgan had also been one of Michigan’s better performers defensively in conference play. Against Iowa, he was Michigan’s worst defender. Morgan played just 15 minutes and didn’t record a rebound while being credited for 3.5 made field goals. Early in the first half, Morgan missed a layup on one end of the floor and allowed Adam Woodbury to beat him down to the other end for a layup — that’s a play we’re used to seeing Morgan make, not the other way around.
- Nik Stauskas forced six misses and did a decent job of using his size to defend shots around the rim, but he also lost focus several times and had the ugly tendency to watch the ball from the wing.
- Glenn Robinson III graded out more favorably than most, mostly because he spent time guarding the Iowa players that don’t play a large role in the offense.
- Zak Irvin gave up back-to-back baskets when he checked into the game midway through the first half, but his defensive effort improved as the game wore on.
- Jon Horford was at least able to grab a few rebounds, but he also struggled against Iowa’s size, strength and length inside and gave up some second chances. Iowa controlled the offensive glass regardless of what Michigan big man was on the floor.
PREVIOUS DEFENSIVE SCORE SHEETS:
- Defensive Score Sheet: Nebraska at Michigan
- Defensive Score Sheet: Michigan at Indiana
- Defensive Score Sheet: Purdue at Michigan
- Defensive Score Sheet: Michigan at Michigan State
- Defensive Score Sheet: Iowa at Michigan
- Defensive Score Sheet: Michigan at Wisconsin
- Defensive Score Sheet: Penn State at Michigan
Find the full calculations regarding the defensive score sheet here. The primary stats that may be unfamiliar are:
- FM – Forced field goal miss (includes blocks)
- FTO – Forced Turnover (steals, charges taken)
- FFTA – Forced missed Free Throw Attempt
- DFGM – Allowed Defensive Field Goal Made
- DFTM – Allowed Free Throw Made
Defensive Rating (DRtg) is calculated based on the stops and scoring possessions assigned to the player, it’s an estimated measure of points per 100 possessions.
