2013 NCAA Tournament – South Region Second Round
#4 Michigan Wolverines vs #13 South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Thursday, March 21, 2013, 7:15 pm Eastern, TV: CBS
The Palace of Auburn Hills – Auburn Hills, Michigan
Opening Line: Michigan -12
Current Line: Michigan -11
Opening Total: 138 1/2
Current Total: 139
Opening Money Line: Michigan -725 / South Dakota St +575
Current Money Line: Michigan -725 / South Dakota St +575
The 26-7 Michigan Wolverines finished 12-6 in the Big Ten, widely considered to be the best conference in the country. The Wolverines tied for fourth with Wisconsin behind 14-4 Indiana and 13-5 Ohio St & Michigan St. The Wolverines were seeded fifth in the Big Tournament and lost to Wisconsin 68-59 in the quarterfinals.
The Wolverines were given a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament in the South Region. The Wolverines will take on #13 South Dakota St in the second round in nearby Auburn Hills. The winner will face the winner of #5 Virginia Commonwealth and #12 Akron in the third round. South Dakota St is 25-9 on the year, and tied for the Summit League regular season championship with Western Illinois at 13-3. The Jackrabbits beat North Dakota St 73-67 in the Summit Championship March 12. Michigan leads the series 2-0 against South Dakota State. The two schools haven’t played since 1988 though.
Michigan is coached by John Beilein. Michigan has losses at Ohio St, Indiana twice, Wisconsin twice, Michigan St, and Penn State. All of the Wolverine losses came to the 4 other conference leaders except for last place Penn State. Michigan has key home wins over Cleveland State, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Western, Central, and Eastern Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue twice, Northwestern, Ohio St, Penn St, Illinois and Michigan St, . The Wolverines also have wins over Pittsburgh and Kansas St in a tournament in New York City, West Virginia in Brooklyn, and at Bradley, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Illinois. Michigan is 14-16-1 ATS this season and total is 19-12 this season.
Michigan is outscoring teams 75-63 this season. The Wolverines are #27 in scoring. Michigan is shooting 48.4% from the field and 38.3% from 3 point range. The Wolverines are in the top 25 nationally in both categories. Michigan makes 70.7% from the free throw line. Michigan averages 35.2 rebounds per game and gives up 29.8 per game. Michigan opponents are shooting 41.9% from the field and 33% from 3 point range. The Wolverines are averaging 14 assists, 6 steals, 3 blocks and 9 turnovers.
Michigan guards Trey Burke averages 19.2 points, 6.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. he is a national player of the year finalist. Guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. averages 14.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. he is probable with an ankle injury. Guard Nik Stauskas averages 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Forward Glenn Robinson III averages 10.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Forward Mitch McGary averages 6.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1 steal and 0.6 blocks a game to lead the team. Forward Jordan Morgan averages 5.1 points and 4.7 rebounds. Caris LaVert and Jon Horford also get significant minutes.
South Dakota St is coached by Scott Nagy. The Jackrabbits have losses at Alabama, at Hofstra, at Minnesota, at Belmont, at North Dakota St, at South Dakota, at Oakland, at CS-Bakersfield, and at Murray St. SDSU has won 4 straight games. The Jackrabbits have key wins over Marshall, Montana, at New Mexico, Oakland, Western Illinois twice, and North Dakota St twice. SDSU, WIU, NDSU and Oakland are the only teams at .500 or better in the Summit. South Dakota St is 16-13 ATS and the total is 10-9-1 this season.
South Dakota St is outscoring teams 74-66 this season. The Jackrabbits are #36 in scoring this season. SDSU is shooting 47% from the field and 39.4% from 3 point range. The Jackrabbits are in the top 25 nationally in both categories. SDSU is #8 in free throw shooting at 76.3% from the line. The Jackrabbits average 34.8 rebounds per game and give up 28.4 per game. SDSU opponents are shooting 44.2% from the field and 35.7% from 3 point range. The Jackrabbits average 15 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks and 10 turnovers per game.
Guard Nate Wolters averages 22.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He is 4th in the country in scoring. Forward Jordan Dykstra averages 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.6 blocks a game to lead the team. Forward Tony Fiegen averages 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Guard Chad White averages 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Guard Brayden Carlson averages 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Taevaunn Prince, Marcus Heemstra, and Jake Bittle also get significant minutes.
South Dakota St is 6-1 ATS against teams with winning records, and 5-2 overall.
Michigan is 22-4-1 ATS in Thursday games, 4-1 in neutral site games, 2-7 after failing to cover, 1-4 after a straight up loss, 2-10 overall, and 1-7 against teams with winning records.
Wolters is one of the best shooters in the country along with Creighton’s Doug McDermott. However, Michigan simply has too much for the Jackrabbits. South Dakota st hangs around for a while, but the Wolverines win in the end.
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