Both Wolverines head coach John Beilein and Louisville head coach Rick Pitino will be doing some serious homework in preparation of their second-round match-up against one another on Sunday.
The game will be the first time these two are getting together since their action-packed showdown in the 2013 National Championship Game, one that went in favor of the Cardinals.
This year’s Cardinals and Wolverines are different, of course. But Pitino knows he will have his hands full on Sunday, given the way Michigan has been shooting. So much so, he gave the Wolverines some pretty high praise.
Pitino on #Michigan: "we're playing against the Golden State Warriors Sunday. I've never seen shooting like that since I've been a coach"
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) March 17, 2017
The two-time champion and Hall of Fame coach Pitino is looking to advance to his eighth Final Four in hopes of capturing a third title. But a red-hot Michigan team will surely give him something extra to think about.
A comparison of the Golden State Warriors is quite the compliment. The Dubs have been not only the most productive and efficient offense in the league over the last three seasons, they’re reaching historic levels in the way they play. And it becomes more ironic, because should one compare the stats from Michigan and Golden State this year, they’re eerily similar.
Pitino will be dealing with a Michigan team that, entering their first-round tilt with Oklahoma State, had not only won five straight and 10 of 12 overall, but an offense that is shooting better than 50 percent and close to 39 percent from downtown, while averaging better than 75 points per contest.
