The Starting Five: Man-Zone Spectrum (HV+)

Observations on Michigan, Syracuse, Baylor, San Francisco, and head coach age.

#1 [Michigan] The “purest” man-to-man defense

Every defense is some combination of man-to-man and zone principles. Man-to-man defenses — despite the name — still often rely on help from players not guarding the ball. Zone defenses — also despite the name — often rely on “matching up” with the offensive players.

Over the last few years, Michigan’s defense …