Michigan Basketball’s Newfound Small-ball Lineup May Come In Handy

It looks like the Michigan Wolverines may have found their new identity. After years of being known as a team that relies on its big men in the post, the Wolverines are now embracing the small-ball trend.

And it just may come in handy, especially in the NCAA tournament

The Wolverines have been using a lineup that features just one big man, with four players who are 6-foot-7 or shorter. And so far, it’s been working

Introduction

The days of seeing big men like Mitch McGary and Jordan Morgan on the court together for Michigan Basketball may be coming to an end.

While the Wolverines have always been known for their Big Ten style of play, they may have to reinvent themselves this season with a smaller lineup.

With the departure of McGary and Morgan, as well as Jon Horford, Michigan will be without its traditional meaty frontline. Instead, they’ll likely have to go with a smaller, more agile lineup that emphasizes speed and quickness.

This new style of play could come in handy for Michigan, as they’ll likely face teams like Indiana and Purdue that will also be relying heavily on smaller lineups.

So while it may be a change of pace for Michigan, don’t be surprised if they find success with their newly found small-ball ways.

What is small-ball?

0

Small-ball is a basketball strategy that emphasizes speed, quickness, and Three-point shooting over size and post play. In recent years small-ball has become increasingly popular in the NBA, as teams have realized that traditional big men are no longer as effective as they once were.

The term “small-ball” is relatively new, but the concept is not. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several NBA teams began to experiment with lineups that featured multiple small forwards or even three-point shooters at center. These teams discovered that by spreading the floor and running the court, they could create open shots for their perimeter players and open up driving lanes for their slashers.

The most famous small-ball lineup was probably the Houston Rockets’ “Clutch City” team of the mid-1990s, which featured Hakeem Olajuwon at center and Clyde Drexler Sam Cassell, and Mario Elie at the other positions. The Rockets won two championships with this lineup, proving that small-ball could be effective in the playoffs as well as the regular season

In recent years several NBA Teams have gone all-in on small-ball, featuring lineups with multiple Shooting Guards or even power forwards at center. The most notable example is probably the Golden State Warriors’ “Death Lineup,” which features Stephen Curry Klay Thompson Andre Iguodala Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green This lineup has been incredibly successful over the past few seasons, winning two championships and making it to three straight Finals.

The popularity of small-ball has led to a decline in traditional big men in the NBA. Teams are now more likely to draft perimeter players or shooters than they are to draft traditional post players This trend is likely to continue in the future as small-ball becomes more prevalent throughout the league.

Why is small-ball effective?

Small-ball lineups are becoming increasingly popular in basketball, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional lineups. Perhaps the most important advantage is that small-ball lineups allow teams to spaced the floor more effectively, which makes it easier to score points

In addition, small-ball lineups often lead to more possessions for the team on offense, as they are more likely to grab defensive rebounds. And on defense, small-ball lineups can be very effective at trapping and pressuring the ball handler

So far this season, the Michigan Wolverines have had success with their small-ball lineup, which features freshman guard Jordan Poole at the center position. The Wolverines will look to continue their success with this lineup as they enter the postseason.

How will this help Michigan?

In basketball, the terms “small ball” and “lineup” are usually used interchangeably, but they refer to two different things. A small-ball lineup is when a team uses players who are shorter and faster than the average player at their position, while a lineup is simply the five players who are on the court at any given time.

So, what does this mean for Michigan?

For one, it gives them an advantage in terms of speed and quickness. With a small-ball lineup, Michigan will be able to run the floor more effectively and put pressure on the opposing team’s defense. They’ll also be able to create more space on the court for their shooters.

It’s also worth noting that Michigan isn’t the only team in the Big Ten that’s been utilizing a small-ball lineup lately. Indiana has been doing it for years, and most of the conference’s top teams have started to follow suit. So, in a way, this is just another way for Michigan to keep up with the competition.

What are the challenges of small-ball?

Small-ball basketball is a style of play in which a team uses players who are smaller and quicker than their opponents, in order to create mismatches and gain an advantage on the court. while this style of play can be effective, it also comes with some challenges.

For one, small-ball teams often have difficulty rebounding the ball, as they don’t have the size to match up with their opponents. This can lead to easy second-chance points for the other team. Additionally, small-ball teams can be vulnerable to being exploited by bigger, stronger opponents in the post.

Finally, small-ball teams often lack the shooting ability of their opponents, as they don’t have players with the size and strength to generate consistent outside shots. This can make it difficult for small-ball teams to score against larger, more traditional opponents.

How can Michigan overcome these challenges?

While the Wolverines have looked strong in recent weeks, they will face some stiff competition in the coming weeks. How can they overcome these challenges?

One way Michigan could overcome these challenges is by continuing to play strong defense. The Wolverines have been one of the best Defensive Teams in the country so far this season, and if they can continue to hold opponents down, they will give themselves a chance to win every game.

Another way Michigan could overcome these challenges is by relying on their new small-ball lineup. The Wolverines have had success lately when they have gone with a smaller lineup that features players like Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Livers at the forward spots. This lineup allows Michigan to spread the floor and opens up driving lanes for their guards. If the Wolverines can continue to knock down shots from outside, this lineup could be very effective against some of their upcoming opponents.

Conclusion

The new small-ball lineup may not be the Wolverines’ go-to every game, but it will be a solid option to have in their back pocket. If they can continue to shoot well and make smart decisions, this may become their most dangerous lineup.