Michigan Basketball Game Two: Michigan vs. South Carolina State

Date: Tuesday November 12th

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor MI

TV: None

South Carolina State Bulldogs

2012-13 Record: 6-24 (2-14 MEAC)

Returning Players:

Matthew Hezekiah (6'11 SR) returns as the Bulldogs' most efficient offensive player from a year ago, leading the way with a 109.6 ORtg and a 55.7 eFG%. While he wasn't much on the defensive glass, his 11.1 OR% was 183rd nationally. He also avoids both fouls and free throws at a nearly equal rate, committing just 2.6 fouls/40 and drawing 2.8 for a 17.6 FTR.

Darryl Palmer (6'7 SO) is back after a promising freshman season in which he put up a 97.8 ORtg and led the team in both DR% (15.6) and block% (5.6). His shooting percentages were low a year ago (47.4 eFG% and just 28% from 3pt on 64 3PA).

Adama Adams (6'1 SR) is the closest thing SCSU has to a shot creator coming back. His 20.1 assist rate leads the team among returners, but his 30.0 TOrate also leads. He is the most capable returning shooter, having hit 35% of his 69 3PA last year.

Shaquiell Mitchell (6'4 SO) was a starter last year, but he was an abysmal shooter with a eFG% of 30.7. I'm not even sure what to think of him given the stats Kenpom has.

Speaking of weird Kenpom stat lines, Chasen Campbell (6'8 SR) had the team's highest usage rate (24.3) and shot rate (28.2) and played just 10% of available minutes. That is one glory hungry backup. He was also a possession sieve, with an eFG% of 37.8 and a TOrate of (26.7).

What To Watch For

- Shooting. Can Michigan do it for a full game? The first half against UMass-Lowell was Brick City.

- Good or bad Horford? The big man led the way with 12 rebounds as the starting center, but also put up eight shots including a couple ill-advised looks. Michigan has enough offensive weapons that he doesn't need to force things.

- Offensive improvement from Walton. He is still trying to find his groove in the offense, and while he flashes the skills that made him a coveted recruit, he is inconsistent. These things take time, and he is getting plenty of it on the floor.

- GR-Four. Once again, Michigan moved Robinson III out to the four spot and he looked comfortable there. The position is a good fit for him and for the team, in that it lets Michigan put its best lineup on the floor. This is in part because...

- Caris LeVert, is that Spanish for "Caris, the leap?" No? LeVert led all scorers with 17 in game one and he has a wide array of offensive moves, plus a lot of defensive potential. Robinson III playing the four opens up room for Caris to break into the starting lineup. This needs to happen as it is becoming more and more clear that he is one of Michigan's five best players.