The Game: Michigan Wolverines vs. Oklahoma Sooners
The Scenario: The NCAA Tourament South Regional second-round
Tipoff: 5:50 p.m. today.
TV: CBS.
Radio: WWWW-FM (102.9), WWJ-AM (950)
What you need to know: Unless you live under a rock you know that Oklahoma's basketball is powered by 6'10" power forward Blake Griffin. Griffin has averaged a double double since the season's opening tip off and is the focal point of the Sooners' offense. The Offense might run through Griffin, but they have excellent supporting cast. Along with Blake Griffin's 22 a game, Willie Warren averages 14 points at the two guard position. Then add in Taylor Griffin, Tony Crocker and Austin Johnson are all averaging just under 10 a game.
What Michigan Needs to Do: Force turnovers. Oklahoma is a decent but not great team at taking care of the ball, turning it over on 20% of their possessions. Michigan's going to need turnovers to lead to some easy buckets in transition because Oklahoma doesn't give them up in the half court set. The Sooners have been decent at protecting the 3-point line, but not great, so setting up the 3-point shot will be key to Michigan's chances.
While Manny Harris' performance has been spectacular, DeShawn Sims was notably absent from the list of top performers against Clemson. If Michigan is going to compete with and expect to beat Oklahoma, Sims will have to have a Duke/UCLA type game.