Keys to the Game: Rutgers at Michigan (February 23, 2022)

(photo courtesy of the Asbury Park Press)

Rutgers (16-10; 10-6) at Michigan (14-11; 8-7)

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have now entered the most critical stretch of their 2021-22 season. It is definitely gut check time for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers has four remaining games on their schedule, and it appears every remaining game is just as important as the next. Rutgers travels to Ann Arbor to battle the Michigan Wolverines (14-11 overall; 8-7) on Wednesday, February 23rd (7 PM ET; BTN). The Michigan Wolverines will be without their head coach Juwan Howard, currently serving a five-game suspension, and two key players, Moussa Diabate and Terrance Williams, both serving one-game suspensions, for their roles in the altercation that took place at the conclusion of their game with Wisconsin this past Sunday. Phil Martelli will be filling in as the interim head coach while Howard is serving his suspension. 

Both teams met earlier this season as Rutgers prevailed with a 75-67 victory at The RAC. Michigan was short-handed a couple of players in their first meeting due to COVID-19, but this time around Michigan will be short-handed one of their best players in Moussa Diabate. Diabate scored 15 points and had 9 rebounds in the first meeting. His production in the game on Wednesday will sorely be missed. Diabate has had some big games recently including 28 points in the Michigan win over Iowa, as well as 15 points in their upset of Purdue.

Michigan is going to be playing for their tournament lives on Wednesday, as they desperately need a win and to avoid a loss to Rutgers at home. A loss to Rutgers (Q3) could be potentially damaging to Michigan's tournament resume. On the other hand, Rutgers needs to win in Ann Arbor to add another Q1 win to their tournament resume and to secure an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. No slow starts - Rutgers has done a great job in their last several games by getting off to good starts. Rutgers must avoid any slow starts at all costs. Also, Rutgers must avoid going cold from the field. That means Rutgers has to take good shots. Pound the rock. Drive the lane early. Try to get Michigan's Hunter Dickinson into foul trouble early in the game. If Rutgers is able to force turnovers, put on the jets and score points in transition, they can win this game.
2. Shut down Hunter Dickinson - Many reasons why Michigan has had success beating good teams this season is because of Hunter Dickinson. He is the nucleus of this team, and most of the scoring goes through him. He is averaging 18.0 ppg. He is also averaging 8.1 rpg. Rutgers has to shut him down completely. They have to make all of his shot attempts difficult. Rutgers has to box him out real well on the boards to avoid letting him get any second chance opportunities.
3. Defend the perimeter - Much of the three point shooting is done by Eli Brooks and Caleb Houstan. Together they are averaging a combined 37% from deep. Rutgers can ill-afford letting these two players get any good looks from deep. When both get hot from deep, they can stay hot and be momentum killers for Rutgers. 
4. Play with tenacity, toughness, and mental focus - This game is going to be a war. Michigan is already going to be fired up for this game because they are without their head coach and one of their best players. Despite being a bit short-handed, don't expect Michigan to take this game lightly. They are going to want to win this one for their suspended coach, for their fans, and for their NCAA tournament lives. Rutgers is going to have to battle for every loose ball and every rebound. They are going to have to play with tenacity and toughness while maintaining their composure and mental focus. Rutgers must avoid committing too many fouls and sending the Wolverines to the charity stripe.
5. Team chemistry - Rutgers has to continue distributing the ball on the floor to each of its players and look for the best shot available. Do not play isolation ball. Communication is also going to be key in this game. With a hostile crowd on hand, Rutgers is going to have to effectively communicate with one another on the defensive and offensive sides of the ball. 
6. (BONUS) Do not underestimate Phil Martelli - Phil Martelli is no student to the game. He coached at St. Joseph's for 24 seasons with lots of success. He was brought onto Michigan in 2019 as an associate head coach by Juwan Howard to help with recruiting and game experience. Expect Martelli to have a game plan for tomorrow.