Easy as 1, 2... & No 3s
For Michigan vs. ’Nova, path to victory is simple: defend the arc
SAN ANTONIO » Most of Michigan’s players did not get to see much of the 3-point shooting display that Villanova put on its 95-79 romp over Kansas in the national semifinals Saturday night at the Alamodome.
The Wolverines had media obligations to fulfill, which occupied much of their time in first half when the Wildcats drained 13 triples and took a 15-point lead into the locker room. Then it was back to the team hotel, but even then the players didn’t get to see much of the game because of family commitments.
So while the Wolverines did not get a first-hand view of the show the Wildcats put on from deep, they know they face a daunting task against Villanova in the national championship game Monday night.
“They’re a great team,” Michigan guard Zavier Simpson said. “They’re No. 1 for a reason. If we don’t come ready to play, we’ll be embarrassed.”
If there is one thing the Wolverines do well defensively, it is preventing teams from taking the 3-pointer. Michigan (33-7) allows 16.2 3-point attempts per game and just 5.3 makes per game. However, that wasn’t always the case.
After giving up 21 3-point attempts in a 70-69 loss to No. 5 Purdue on Jan. 9 at home, including 11 in the first half, Michigan coach John Beilein decided it was time to address the issue of defending the 3-point line.
It started in the film room the next day.
“Defending the three is something we pride ourselves on,” said guard Muhammad-Ali AbdurRahkman, a senior from Allentown Central Catholic. “We had a letdown. The film session was pretty rough, but we got the message and ever since then we’ve tried to take away threes whenever possible.”
Maryland, Purdue, Northwestern and Michigan State are the only teams to get up 20 or more 3-point shots since the Wolverines were raked over the coals in that film session and in practice. The Wolverines limited Loyola-Chicago to just 10 tries in the Wolverines’ 69-57 victory over the Ramblers in the semifinal. Only one went in.
“It really comes down to individual heart and effort,” guard Jaaron Simmons said. “It’s easy to get out there and contest a three, but to keep your man in front of you and not allow them to make easy passes to 3-point shooters is hard, but it helps the rest of the team defense.”
The Wolverines aren’t going against just any 3-point shooting team, but one of the best in history. The Wildcats lead the country in 3-pointers made with an NCAA single-season record of 454. Villanova is third in 3-pointers made per game (11.6), 12th in 3-point field goal percentage (40.1) and third in total 3-pointers attempted (1,131).
That’s 29 attempts per game. And what makes defending the 3-pointer against Villanova so tough is that it’s not just one or two players taking most of the 3-pointers.
“They can all shoot,” center Moritz “Moe” Wagner said of the Wildcats. “They’re really, really efficient at multiple positions. Usually when you play a good team, there’s usually something you can give up and can make a defensive game plan, but that’s not the case here. You know what? It’s not supposed to be easy. It’s the national championship so, yeah, they present a tremendous challenge.”
Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo have all jacked up at least 200 3-pointers this season. Forward Omari Spellman and guard Phil Booth have 148 and 142 attempts, respectively, and forward Eric Paschall has 98. The top seven players in the rotation are all shooting 35 percent or better from deep.
There is a chance that the Wildcats will not be as efficient from deep as they were against Kansas. Teams just don’t go out and shoot 45 percent from long range on a regular basis. This Villanova team, though, makes a habit of it. The Wildcats have shot 45 percent or better from the arc 15 times and have surpassed 50 percent on seven occasions.
Texas Tech did hold the Wildcats to 4-for-24 shooting from deep in the East Regional final. Brunson and Bridges were a combined 0-for-9 from deep yet the Wildcats still won, 71-59. And Villanova did go through two spells, one of four games early in the season and one of three games, when the Wildcats were held to single digits in 3-pointers made, yet they went 5-2 in those games.
However, Tennessee, Penn and Butler were the only teams to hold Villanova under 20 3-point attempts in a game this season. The Wildcats won all three meetings by at least nine points.
“They can shoot the ball from all five positions,” Michigan junior guard Charles Matthews said. “They’re a really good team. We understand that and we’ve faced some pretty good teams all season long.
“It will be a challenge, but I think we’ll be ready for it.”