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Posted on Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 3:20 p.m.

Michigan basketball team looks for strong Big Ten start against Indiana

By Michael Rothstein

The chance for redemption for the Michigan basketball team begins with the start of the Big Ten Conference season.

The Wolverines are 6-5 after a nonconference schedule that included a 3-5 finish. They open the 18-game Big Ten schedule Thursday at Indiana, 6-6 (noon, ESPN2).

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Michigan's DeShawn Sims dunks in the second half of the Wolverines' 76-46 victory against Coppin State on Dec. 22. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

“It feels like a different season,” senior forward DeShawn Sims said. “You know, because even if you go in with a winning record or you go in with a losing record, in the Big Ten they never talk about ... your other games besides your non-conference games, so you have to go in with the mindset of no matter what you did in the preseason, this is what dictates a lot.”

For Michigan, that’s a bonus.

Michigan coach John Beliein alluded to that earlier this month when he said the Wolverines still have a shot at an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament in part because of the strength of the Big Ten.

If Michigan were in the MAC or the Horizon or the Summit League, the Wolverines would likely have to win their conference tournament to earn an at-large spot. In the Big Ten, they can pick up enough big wins to have a chance in mid-March.

In order to do that, though, Michigan needs to make changes. First, the Wolverines have to shoot better. They are last among Big Ten teams with a .422 field goal percentage and last in 3-point field goal shooting at .290

Another theme: Michigan needs to be better defensively. The Wolverines enter league play ranked seventh in Big Ten defense, allowing 63.3 points a game, and they are last in rebounding margin at -3.6.

“Definitely defense,” junior guard Manny Harris said. “That’s something I’m stressing a lot more, on the defensive end. Our offense will come once we get confidence in our defense.”

Lately, Michigan’s defense has been better. The 1-3-1 was effective at points against Kansas and the Wolverines were dominant against a not-so-good Coppin State team.

Considering the way Michigan has played so far - no signature victory against any team that has a shot of sniffing an NCAA at-large berth, Michigan needs to pick up as wins early in league play to build the confidence Harris is looking for.

“We have to get out the gate pretty fast,” Sims said. “We just have to come play with a different intensity and play to our abilities.

“The games we have at the beginning are good games with good opponents, and we can definitely get off to a great start.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of 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

InRichRodWeTrust

Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 11:59 a.m.

They really need a good game against Indiana before they play OSU. "Michigan Basketball: No Easy Way Out" video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0bsn7RaiQE

Big House

Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 3:13 a.m.

I just hope DeShawn plays more in the lane. On both ends of the court. He can be very effective scoring down low, but gets too excited to shoot the mid-to-long range jumper (especially if it's a fade away!). Just like Rasheed with the Pistons. God, I hate it when big guys start thinking they're in a 3-point contest early in a game and stay behind the arc...

Michael Rothstein

Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 8:36 p.m.

Actually been voting Syracuse No. 2, Kansas No. 1 but thanks for reading.

guns4me

Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 8:10 p.m.

You will finish 7th in the BIG TEN.