Kornacki: Wolverines Playing 94 Feet to Stay Unbeaten
12/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2015
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- There is a flow to Michigan's offense this season that's pleasing to watch.
Last season, the Wolverines leaned heavily on the three-point shots of Katelynn Flaherty and Siera Thompson or packing the ball down low to Cyesha Goree. There wasn't much of an offense in between that.
This Michigan team, which improved to 7-0 Thursday night (Dec. 3) with an 82-45 win over Pittsburgh in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, is scoring off the fast break generated by its strong defense and putting points on the scoreboard in a variety of ways.
The infusion of four quality freshmen -- guards Boogie Brozoski and Nicole Munger, center Hallie Thome and forward Sam Trammel -- has sparked the team. And they've blended incredibly quickly with returners such Danielle Williams, Madison Ristovski, Jillian Dunston, Kelsey Mitchell, Flaherty and Thompson.
"We're really versatile this year," said Flaherty, who led Michigan with 24 points and is averaging a team-high 19.6 points. "Siera Thompson is the leader of our team offensively, and in practice we are putting in so much extra work. That's why it's flowing."
Michigan leads the Big Ten with an 87.9 scoring average and ranks third nationally. That's a big bump from last year's 69.9 points per game.
"They're drawing an extra defender and making extra passes," said Wolverine head coach Kim Barnes Arico. "They're incredibly, incredibly unselfish. We have Katelynn Flaherty, who is one of the best shooters in the country. But we're not running every play for her. We're trying to find the best look, and not only Katelynn.
"And Katelynn herself is making extra passes and not feeling the pressure of having to score every time."
Barnes Arico credited assistant coach Megan Duffy with developing the guards and particularly emphasizing their need to drive to the hoop to open things up.
"Our chemistry is huge," said Brozoski, who came off the bench to score 13 points in 16 minutes. "We're so close off the court, just as we are on the court. It really shows in the game. And most of our offense comes from our defense. If we have that energy on defense, we can easily score on offense."
Ristovski, the lone senior starter at guard, said the togetherness began long before classes and practice started.
"Working together this summer got a really good team chemistry going," said Ristovski. "It's really helpful that we play nine deep, and we're heavy in the guard position."
Those nine all are averaging four points or more per game, and eight of those have scored in double figures at least once.
"When other people start getting tired, we just keep going and going," said Barnes Arico.
She said players are staying fresher because of the depth, and there seems to be a different player stepping up each game.
"When teams key in on Katelynn, other people are stepping up" said Ristovski.
Flaherty is showing the way, though.
"Kate is just an amazing player," said Brozoski. "We grew up close to each other, with her in New Jersey and me in New York. She works extremely hard and pushes me. I look up to her, and no one sees all the work that she puts in because she's often in the gym by herself. And she's an amazing person also. She's more than just a great basketball player."
Flaherty was the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year last year, making her mark as a three-point shooter and averaging 14.3 points per game. But this year she's starting and displaying a more diversified game.
"I worked out probably four hours a day in the offseason," said Flaherty. "I worked on my ball-handling skills and kept up on my shooting. I really wanted to come in this year and be more of a scorer and distributor and not just be a spot-up shooter. So, I've opened my game up offensively.
"I learned a lot last year and feel more aggressive and ready. Last year was a transition to playing physical ball, but now I'm more prepared for that."
Flaherty went around and through three Pitt defenders to score on a finger roll and cut to the hoop for an easy bucket on a nice feed from forward Dunston. She also drained two treys.
The new freshman coming off the bench to score is spark plug Brozoski, a Parade All-American from Cambria Heights, New York. She also features inside-out scoring and nailed a three-pointer 27 seconds after driving and scoring on a finger roll.
"Boogie brings a lot offensively and defensively," said Flaherty. "Offensively, she's so crafty and can get into tight spaces. She's also very unselfish, can knock down baskets and get to the boards. She's quick and plays 94 feet."
Flaherty and Brozoski both pointed to Barnes Arico's methods for the improvement.
"She's a very smart coach," said Flaherty. "She sometimes puts in plays that are just great plays, and she also lets us make mistakes and is supportive."
Flaherty recalled her start against USC Upstate, when she scored a career-high 34 points after coming out cold.
"I go out there, and I'm 0-for-4," said Flaherty, "and she tells me, 'I believe you are going to make your next shot.' Coming from your head coach, that's special. I made 11 of my next 12 shots."
Brozoski said, "Coach has so much experience under her belt. She knows what it takes to win, and she has all the trust in us. So, we have trust in her."
Still, as good as the offense has been, Michigan hasn't let anyone exceed 62 points, and the last three opponents all came in under 50 points.
"A lot of our offense is created by our defense," said Barnes Arico. "Our defensive energy, style of play and pressure defense is creating easy shots and open shots for us. Part of the reason we're scoring (over) 80 points is the defense that we're playing."
Ristovski was asked whether the offense or defense has improved more.
"We're made more strides defensively," said Ristovski. "We're getting better at zoning up and gapping. Everyone is where they should be. And we're way better in transition on offense."
Flaherty added, "That energy on defense, diving for the loose balls, really turns the game around."
The Wolverines, by playing all 94 feet of the court with nine players averaging more than 10 minutes per game, have matched the best start in program history. Michigan also was 7-0 in 2011-12 and 1999-2000.
So, there is plenty to like on this team.
Barnes Arico noted that the games will get tougher. The unranked Wolverines have yet to face a top-25 team, and there are four of them in the Big Ten. But they are off and running with a young team that's scoring plenty and playing stingy defense.
