Monday’s Big Ten Games: What We Learned

Two undefeated Big Ten teams, Michigan and Wisconsin, provided some early lessons.

Two Big Ten teams were in action on Monday night and while both came away from a victory, the outcomes were a tad surprising. Michigan rolled over Detroit by 33 points at home while it took Wisconsin an overtime period and a layup at the buzzer to squeak pass IUPUI 65-64. Even in games early in the season, we can learn a thing or two about these two Big 10 teams which are now a combined 7-0 this season.

Michigan

Naz Hillmon is for real: The 6-2 freshman from Cleveland, Ohio came off the bench on Monday night and went 11-13 from the field to contribute 22 points for Michigan in the victory. Hillmon added five offensive rebounds, three more on defense and one steal. In three games this season, Hillmon is averaging 6.0 RPG and 17.3 PPG for Kim Barnes Arico’s squad.

The Wolverines need to improve from beyond the arc: While a 33-point win is impressive, it’s even more of an accolade when you look at the fact that Michigan went 3-for-18 from 3-point range. Nicole Munger made all three shots from beyond the arc for Michigan while taking seven total 3-point shots. The rest of the team went 0-for-11 from downtown.

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Hallie Thome is good…like really good at basketball: Senior Hallie Thome has already impressed many people around the nation early this season and that continued in her 25-point performance in Monday’s win. Thome tied her high in points (25), and field goals attempted (14) while making 11 of those shots and shooting 78.6-percent from the floor. Thome added four rebounds, two steals and one block and is now averaging 21.3 PPG this season for the Wolverines.

Wisconsin

The Badgers need to practice free throws: The Badgers didn’t get to the free-throw line often in Monday’s overtime win but when the team got to the line they also didn’t do themselves any favors. Of the 15 free throws Wisconsin took, only six went through the hoop, a lousy 40-percent. Luckily for the Badgers, IUPUI only shot 63.6-percent from the line while the two teams shot a combined 20-for-37 from the charity stripe.

Wisconsin’s ability to rebound will keep them in games: Even with the additional five minutes in Monday’s game, 47 rebounds is not something to bat your eyes at. What’s even better for the Badgers is how many different players had great rebounding performances. Freshman Imani Lewis led all players with 11 rebounds to go with her 12 points in her second career double-double. Kelly Karlis was second on the team with nine rebounds–a season-high–and Marsha Howard added seven. As a team, Wisconsin outrebounded IUPUI 47-38.

Better shots, better shots, better shots: If the Badgers want to compete at a high level, the team as a whole has to take better shots from the field. On Monday, Wisconsin took 70 shots and only made 27. This included a higher than average game of 50-percent (5/10) from beyond the arc. Head Coach Jonathan Tsipis will look to get his team in the gym the next couple of days before three games in three days from Nov. 23-25.