One key fix has Michigan basketball ‘playing good ball’ at right time

Michigan basketball analytics guru Jacob Kohn assessed the Wolverines’ play a few weeks into the season.

At this time, the Wolverines were undefeated, ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, in the midst of winning nine of 10 games by at least 25 points or more undefeated and had rolled Power Four teams such as Gonzaga, Villanova and Auburn.

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Still, Kohn cited one key area for U-M to improve: rebounding, as it ranked No. 51 in the nation in offensive rebounding rate at 36% despite not having faced particularly tough Big Ten competition.

“I mean, I think we can be really, really good,” Kohn told the Free Press. “Better than we have been.”

From left, Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23), Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0), forward Jesse McCulloch (35) and Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) battle for the rebound during the first half at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.

1-SEED SURGE: Michigan basketball bracketology update, seed, advanced stat rankings

He was right.

Although the rate has actually gone down – U-M is now grabbing 35.9% of its offensive misses – the Wolverines have been doing it against tougher foes and are among the Big Ten’s top teams, at No. 3 in the conference in offensive board rate during league play per KenPom. O defense, they’re firmly in the top half of the conference at No. 7, thanks to grabbing 69.7% of their opponents’ misses.

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“That’s probably been the biggest jump for us — how well we’re rebounding the ball,” coach Dusty May said Monday, Feb. 9. “Yaxel had 14 rebounds yesterday [against Ohio State] and six offensive a couple games ago. Those are extra possessions.

“We chart offensive rebounds as defensive stops. … So those are important for so many reasons, but to give ourselves that many extra possessions is if we can continue to do that, we’re going to be a tough out.”

Michigan dominated then-No. 5 Nebraska on the glass, 35-23, on Jan. 27 and tied then-No. 8 Michigan…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/one-key-fix-michigan-basketball-110045054.html

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Publish date : 2026-02-10 11:00:00

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