Here’s to good health, an entertaining game and each player having a firm understanding of how many timeouts are left.
Michigan (+4) over Louisville: I still can’t believe they didn’t call traveling on Chris Webber first. Anyway, I’m not sure these Wolverines could have played any worse in the final few minutes against Syracuse, but I am sure they will not play that poorly again. Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. will not combine to shoot 5-for-24 again, and when they go off, Louisville won’t be able to keep up.
The Cardinals’ offense is far too reliant on its defense and was clearly weakened without Kevin Ware in the win over Wichita State. Michigan, which obliterated Virginia Commonwealth’s vaunted pressure defense earlier in the tournament, will not have any issue breaking loose, due to the aforementioned backcourt, and will treat freshman big-man Mitch McGary to what seems like a never-ending lay-up line.
Louisville’s biggest advantage comes from experience, which might be the most overrated factor in sports. It didn’t seem to matter when Michigan was surging past senior-laden Kansas in the final minutes of the Sweet 16. Or when Carmelo Anthony won a title as a Syracuse freshman. Or when Anthony Davis cut the nets in his first season at Kentucky.
Looking at Louisville, I’m reminded of the tail-end of the New England Patriots’ 2007 season. They were so dominant for so long that when they got to the Super Bowl, people saw the same names and faces and didn’t realize it wasn’t the same team that cruised for months. Over the Cardinals’ past three games, outside of an injury-inspired run against Duke, Louisville hasn’t looked anything like the team that won its final 10 Big East games.
These young Wolverines will never be as famous as the Fab Five, but they will be more successful. Take the points. Just know you don’t need them.
Record: 24-20-1
2011-12 Record: 48-26-1
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