Michigan Basketball: Keys to Wolverines' 2012 NCAA Tournament Run

It's been a long time since the Michigan Wolverines have had the success of the late-'80s and early-'90s teams, but UM is inching closer and closer to the national spotlight.

The Wolverines have been ranked as high as No. 10 in the AP this year, and John Beilein's squad appears ready for a deep run in March.

The Wolverines may have suffered an early exit in the Big Ten conference tournament, but they still gained a No. 4 seed in the Midwest and are clearly a threat to make the Final Four in New Orleans.

Here's a look at some keys for Michigan as they enter the NCAA tournament. 

Superstars Who Must Shine

Trey Burke

Many people disregarded Michigan's chances this year because of Darius Morris' departure to the NBA, but true freshman Trey Burke has more than filled Morris' shoes.

Burke plays with a fearless abandon, constantly driving the lane to either score, draw the foul or find the open three-point shooter. He's nearly indispensable for the Wolverines as he has played just under 36 minutes per game on the season.

On the year, Burke is averaging a team-leading 14.6 points and 4.6 assists per game. He also chips in 3.4 rebounds and shoots decently well (36 percent) from deep.

Michigan's success will hinge on the young point guard not letting up in the limelight. 

Tim Hardaway Jr.

On any given day, Tim Hardaway Jr. can be the best player on the court—much like his dad was.

However, there are also days when Hardaway proves why he's such an inconsistent player and goes ice cold from the floor. 

His inconsistency is highlighted by his 42 percent shooting from the field and 29 percent shooting from three-point range. What's scary is that he still jacks up six three's per game despite that terrible percentage.

Nonetheless, Hardaway, who averages 14.5 ppg, has the ability to get hot and score 25 in any given game. If Michigan is going to make a run, he'll need to carry them once or twice.

Role Players Who Must Emerge

Zack Novak

He has no relation to Steve, but Zack will have to shoot like the current New York Knicks star. Michigan relies heavily on the three-ball, and Novak, a senior with plenty of experience, is quite possibly the best shooter on this team.

Novak hits the deep ball at a 41 percent clip, knocking down 1.5 per contest. He'll see plenty of looks and will have to knock them down with consistency.

Novak also rebounds fairly well for his size. He's just 6'4", but averages 4.6 rebounds per game, so he has the ability to contribute in other ways.

Evan Smotrycz

Much like Novak, Smotrycz will have the shoot the long ball well if Michigan is going to have success deep into March.

The sophomore doesn't get as much playing time (21.4 minutes per game), and as a result, doesn't shoot as many three's, but he hits them at an impressive 43.5 percent.

He's Michigan's sixth man and will have to step up when Hardaway and Novak aren't hitting.

Offensive Strategy to Watch

Chicks Dig the Long Ball

Three-point shooting, three-point shooting and, well, more three-point shooting.

Thirty-seven percent of Michigan's scoring comes from the three-point line, which is 10th-most in the country and second in the Big Ten.

So yeah, the phrase, "live by the three, die by the three" certainly fits this Wolverines squad. And they don't like to do it in transition either.

Michigan is content with slowing the game down, which is evidenced by its 61.8 possessions per 40 minutes. That makes them the 331st fastest team in college basketball in terms of tempo.

Instead, they'll play out of the half court and rely on Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway and senior Stu Douglass to drive and kick to other shooters. 

Defensive Strategy to Watch

1-3-1 Zone

Michigan will usually sit in John Beilein's famous 1-3-1 zone, and they constantly have opposing offenses guessing.

Sometimes, the Wolverines will be aggressive and trap out of the zone, which helps them force 12.5 turnovers per contest. But sometimes, they will just sit back in the zone and make it difficult for opposing guards to drive the lane. 

As a result, Michigan is able to slow down the game and hold opponents to 60.6 points per game, which is 29th-best in the country and fourth best in the Big 10.

However, the zone is notoriously hard to rebound out of, and the Wolverines often struggle on the glass. 

Biggest NCAA Tournament Hurdle

North Carolina

The Wolverines got a tough draw because they don't match up with No. 13 Ohio very well.

The Bobcats defend the perimeter extremely well, and that's evidenced by the fact they only allow teams to shoot 29.7 percent from beyond deep. Because UM shoots so many three-pointers, that could spell trouble.

However, when we're talking biggest hurdle, it's obviously the No. 1 seeded Tar Heels, who possess the size to really give Michigan trouble down low.

The Wolverines' biggest players are Evan Smotrycz (6'9") and Jordan Morgan (6'8"), but they are going to have an extremely tough time matching up with Jon Henson and Tyler Zeller if they meet in the Sweet 16.

With that being said, UNC isn't great at defending the perimeter, so the Wolverines could hurt the Tar Heels in that aspect. 

Still though, this is a tough potential matchup. 

Last-Second NCAA Tournament Prediction

Sweet 16 exit

I like Michigan's young team, and I think they'll be able to get past Ohio and Temple/Cal/South Florida, but North Carolina is too big.

The Tar Heels will pound Michigan on the inside and dominate that 1-3-1 zone simply by being able to rebound out of it.

If the Wolverines somehow get past that game, things really open up for them. Kansas isn't a great No. 2 seed, and No. 3 Georgetown can be inconsistent on offense. 

Still, I don't see Michigan getting past the Tar Heels.