In Reply to: Sometimes it's matchups, sometimes it's the defense, posted by ej on March 16, 2025 at 14:49:14
and perhaps their legs were a little tired. Tired legs will definitely make shooting more difficult. Perhaps Michigan, playing their 3rd game in 3 days was affected too. 16 total threes made (7-39 Wisc, 9-33 Mich) in 72 attempts (22%) just isn't normal for two top teams like these. And the defense had a bit to do with it too. Tonje with only 9 points and 0 for 5 threes just isn't normal for him. I'm going to take another look at the replay and see exactly who was guarding him.
Big thing for the Wolverines is that they had 16 points including 4 threes from their bench players. One of those is a freshman guard who only averages 11 minutes a game and around 3 points and shoots 21% from beyond the arc. But in this game, he played 15 minutes, scored 8 points including 2 of 4 threes and 2 of 2 free throws and 0 turnovers. He basically rose to the occasion (be your best when your best is needed). I recall a great coach once saying that. His 8 points more than covered the margin of victory with his unexpected high level of play.