Michigan basketball players have their confidence back entering today's game against Indiana
The confidence is back.
The Michigan basketball team’s recent resurgence of four victories in five games has inspired a newfound confidence as it enters a rematch Saturday with Indiana (4 p.m., Big Ten Network).
It was a much different feeling than the last time Michigan (15-10, 5-7 Big Ten) saw Indiana (12-13, 3-9), when the Hoosiers demolished the Wolverines, 80-61, in Bloomington on Jan. 15 when Michigan was in the middle of a six-game losing streak.
“It was a rough stretch that we went through where we were coming close and just couldn’t get over the hump,” junior guard Zack Novak said. “At Michigan State we pulled out a close one, and it just gave us a lot of confidence.
“Still have a lot of work to do, but it’s good guys are feeling good about themselves and guys are just playing a lot better. Just aside from confidence, we’ve gotten a lot better as a team.”
This is suddenly a team of players who believe in each other, believe in the system and in themselves.
It was a message Michigan coach John Beilein stressed in a pre-game speech at Michigan State according to a video on JohnBeilein.com and is something that became obvious as the Wolverines came from behind to beat Penn State, 65-62, and then held on to a lead against Northwestern on Wednesday night.
“Guys are just being aggressive,” Novak said. “I don’t want to say we’re being flashy as a team because the solid teams win. Typically the solid teams win, the flashy teams don’t.
“You can be flashy and solid sometimes but a lot of times you’re better off making the solid play. It goes back to the confidence we have going now.”
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
tresselowns
Sun, Feb 13, 2011 : 4:43 a.m.
IMO 20-11 + 1-2 BTT wins gets them into the dance, considering a strong finish. Don't see them beating Wisconsin, which makes the Illinois game critical. If they win that one the excitement will mount. Anyway, they'll be in 5th place for a while Tues-Weds after the Buckeyes demolish Sparty. Can they get to 4th place Weds is the big question.
johnnya2
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 6:47 p.m.
I would say they would make the NCAA with a 10-8 Big Ten record, and could argue that 9-9 should get them in. There is only one "bad" loss this season, the loss to Indiana in Bloomington. I would hardly call two losses to OSU, close losses to KU and Syracuse bad. If they end up with nine wins they would end the season going 8-3 (possibly better with the Big Ten tournament). That would require a win over Minnesota, Wisconsin or Illinois, who are all likely tournament teams. Ten wins should assure a spot with two wins over the above mentioned teams.
Veracity
Sat, Feb 12, 2011 : 4:12 p.m.
The Michigan basketball team has certainly been playing better during the past half dozen games. I credit their success to continued good defensive play and a more diversified offense. Key for the latter has been Michigan's ability to score in the paint accompanied by less dependence on the three-point shot. I do believe that Michigan has shown more patience on offense and has protected the ball better. If Michigan beats Indiana and Iowa, as I expect, then the team will have a 17-14 (7-11 Big Ten) which should earn them a trip to the NIT. I believe that Michigan must win all its remaining games to attain a 21-10 (11-7 Big Ten) record and a trip to the NCAA. With the way that Michigan has been playing recently anything is possible.