Beilein, Michigan ready for road test

Michigan coach John Beilein talks about today’s game, but he isn’t willing to talk in-depth about his Wolverines’ 16-0 start to the season because in his eyes, “What have we done yet?” With Ohio State waiting in Columbus, what could be done today would be impressive.

At 16-0 to start the year, Michigan is just one game win shy of setting the school record for most wins to start a season in it’s illustrious history. Ask Michigan coach John Beilein anything pertaining to the pressure he or the team might feel being ranked the No. 2 team in the country—and on the verge of No. 1 with a win today—the answer will be pretty much the same.

It’s just not discussed.

“I don’t think we feel any of it,” said Beilein. “I don’t feel any of it. None of us feel anything. Everybody’s got to understand we have played 17 games and we haven’t played a top 20 team on the road yet. If we had played a top 20 team on the road nobody would be talking about the record.”

“We’re 3-0 in a league that you play 18 games in. We have a lot to prove.”

Standing in the Wolverines way between history and the No. 1 ranking in college basketball after NC State’s win over top ranked Duke, are the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Last season, OSU beat Michigan twice in three tries, but this isn’t the same Wolverines team as 2011-12 -- nor is this the same Buckeye team without big Jared Sullinger sucking up space in the paint.

“Their offense before was a really simple but very intelligent scheme of throw the ball to Sullinger and play off his abilities to pass, score -- do all things,” said Beilein. “He hit some shots against us in the tournament last year that guys who are playing with the Celtics right now aren’t stopping.”

“Now it’s different because Thomas is taking the majority of the shots, Craft is a little more offensive than he’s been, and then Lenzelle Smith is shooting the ball really well.”

Notes

-- Beilein said Saturday afternoon big man Jon Horford did spend Friday working his way back into game shape and there’s a possibility he plays in Columbus this afternoon.

-- Beilein also left open the chance that multiple big men will be on the floor at the same time against Ohio State, but expect freshman forward Glenn Robinson III to get first crack at shutting down swing man Deshaun Thomas.

To watch video of Beilein’s press conference, click play below.