Five questions facing Michigan in a crucial homestand

Share

Tweet

Print

Email

For the better part of two months, the only question to ask about Michigan was when it would lose.

Now, not only have the Wolverines lost, but they’ve failed to cover the KenPom spread in four consecutive games. They’ve looked mortal. Big Ten play resumed, revealing some flaws and questions that might have been masked by their dominance.

The Wolverines handled business on their road trip out West, knocking off Washington and Oregon by 10 points apiece, but they’ll need to play better than they have over the last few weeks if they plan to make a run at the Big Ten title.

With a three-game homestand against Indiana, Ohio State and Nebraska on deck, the Wolverines will have to answer some of these key questions to return to their November and December best.

1. Can Yaxel Lendeborg get right?

One of the most obvious developments over the last few weeks is that Yaxel Lendeborg hasn’t been the same player that he was before Christmas.

Over the first 11 games of the year, Lendeborg averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.1 steals and blocks on a 69.8 eFG%. He was lethally efficient, dominant, and finished everything, making 80% of his twos.

Since Christmas, Lendeborg hasn’t been producing at the same level. He’s averaging 11.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.3 steals and blocks with a 43.2 eFG% and shooting just 50% inside the arc.

Comparing his pre- and post-Christmas shot charts illustrates the shift as well as anything.

The 3-point shooting will come and go as the year progresses, but the finishing is the notable number. Lendeborg was shooting 85% at the rim compared to just 52% over the last six games.