"Before and after the game, Michigan head coach Dusty May said he wanted his team to get exposed in exhibition games, learn from them and get better. The Bearcats helped with the first step in that process. "I thought they were extremely physical," May said Monday. "They were determined. They really wanted to beat us. We definitely are in a better place now than we were before that game in relation to winning real basketball games.""
"Michigan will play a second and final exhibition Saturday night against No. 5 St. John's at Madison Square Garden in New York (7 p.m. ET, B1G+), another good preseason test. The first one had good and bad elements. "We spent a lot of time this summer on driving through contact, driving with physicality," May said. It showed, at least through Michigan's 48 free-throw attempts. He thought Michigan should have rebounded better, though, and allowed too many easy baskets. He was understandably upset about the 20 turnovers."
"Keep in mind that Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. sat out with injuries. "I think we're getting close (to their return)," May said about their status. "I don't want to speak for the medical staff, but it feels like it's getting much, much closer." Sunday was the first practice in weeks that both players were available for live action on the same day."
Michigan lost a wild 100-98 exhibition to Cincinnati despite making 41 free throws and scoring 98 points. The Wolverines trailed by 20 in the second half and committed 20 turnovers. Coach Dusty May said the Bearcats were extremely physical and determined, and that the team benefited from exposure to tough competition. Michigan emphasized driving through contact this summer, which produced 48 free-throw attempts, but the team struggled with rebounding and allowed too many easy baskets. Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. sat out with injuries; both practiced together Sunday and Mara could play Saturday while Johnson may miss the regular-season opener.
Read at mlive
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]