Michigan Basketball; Darius Morris

I noticed there wasn't a thread on this, but Darius Morris had a career high with 15 points, including 3-5 from behind the arc, in just under 19 minutes of playing time, Let's hope this is the beginning of a nice stretch by D-Mo. 

Version 2.0 of ESPN's mock draft has Darius Morris as one of the first 5 out of the 1st round. In version 1.0 they had him going 23rd overall.

Must have ESPN insider for the link.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/insider/columns/story?columnist...

 

 

Here is an article discussing Mike D'Antoni's offense.  It's discussion of how the screen and roll can work to create offensive opportunities. It is very useful in understanding how Michigan uses the screen and roll, usually with Morris and Morgan, and in understanding how perimeter spacing is intimately related to how the screen and roll is supposed to work.

I think that, as the team gets more experience, it will come much closer to the "Seven Seconds or Less" approach that D'Antoni is famous for.  When the screen and roll works more consistently, you won't see as much dribbling from Morris or as much perimeter passing leading to desperation three-pointers.

I know it's unlikely, but I hope that spreading an understanding of the principles about floor-spacing and the screen and roll will reduce the number of people who say ignorant things about Michigan's "three-point offense."

http://knickerblogger.net/what-is-mike-d’antoni’s-offense-part-i/

Darius Morris is not in today's starting line-up against Purdue because he "ignored some of the program's core values" - our offense looks terrible without him and I'm wondering if anyone knows what happened...

Showing the Basketball team some love;

See the full sized version here: http://s669.photobucket.com/albums/vv59/trsaunders09/MS%20-%20Michigan/?...

or Check out the entire album (linked in signature)

There's a nice blog from Fox Sports guy Jeff Goodman on Michigan Basketball up this evening. Jeff Goodman visited Michigan practice today, and gives a positive report. One of the highlights is Michigan shooting:

This team will have as many quality shooters as any team in the nation. You've got guys like Stu Douglass, Zack Novak and freshman Matt Vogrich. Manny Harris has really improved his proficiency from long distance, and Laval Lucas-Perry and DeShawn Sims are more than capable from beyond the arc.

He also sees Darius Morris as key:

Freshman Darius Morris should get the brunt of the minutes at the point as the season goes along. He's the only natural floor leader, and his competition is from Douglass, who is more comfortable at the two-guard spot. Morris defends and can set his teammates up. He doesn't need to score. Defense is more important for this team.

Among other things, the lack of a big to back up Peedi is a concern; Manny is a legit first team All-American candidate; and Novak and Douglass are better than they look (code for "they aren't just slow white guys who can't jump.")

All in all, a nice article.

My questions:

1) How long will it take for Morris to get to speed? If he can get the kinks out by January, we could be formidable.
2) Will someone big step up and produce?

Already, the prospects for this year are awesome. If Morris catches on quick, and we get significant production (at least defensively) from Ben Cronin, or Zack Gibson, or a combination, we could go very, very far.

It is so nice to have BOTH football and basketball to follow.