Frankie has to be the starter
Based on how he has played today, his aggressive style, and the way the team just seems to have more energy on the floor, he’s got to be the starter here on out.
Jones has a sort of “Old man game” that could be great for some teams, but this team needs a little more of Frankie’s “Young man energy”. The way he gets around screens and attacks is just something Jones can’t do, and that’s hurting the offense.
Also, his poster dunk attempt had to make everyone stand up.
#FreeFrankie
December 4th, 2021 at 2:56 PM ^
Not turning the ball over and keeping his head up when driving to the hoop also helps.
But yeah, I agree.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:33 PM ^
Yeah I don’t understand how Jones can be effective looking at the floor anytime the ball is in his hands. I appreciate and applaud all of the athletes on Michigan, but Jones just isn’t it.
December 4th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
He will be going forward. I think there was a large enough chunk of game time today to (once again) show what a difference he makes compared to Jones. This will be the point that changes things, IMO
December 4th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
I agree. The team seems better with Frankie at the helm.
December 4th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
Things sure looked better with Frankie but didn't I read a game or so ago that his defense isn't as strong as Jones? His D seemed fine to me. We'll see what that stats say.
December 4th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
No question about it after today
December 4th, 2021 at 2:57 PM ^
Today's plus/minus:
Jones -3
Collins +16
Nuff said.
December 4th, 2021 at 4:04 PM ^
This right here! No debate
December 4th, 2021 at 2:59 PM ^
Agree Frankie played really well. Important to be able to make free throws as a starting point guard.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^
It's important for everyone to make FTs, but the priority for the PG is to break down the defense and find the open guys.
I'm willing to sacrifice his mediocre FT shooting for everything else he does well.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:09 PM ^
For Mediocre ft, yes would agree. Have to be able to make some at crunch time. 2 of 6 fts. today no problem when game not close. Zavier was a great pg for Michigan. Just wonder if that is why Frankie has not started previously.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:15 PM ^
Zavier was also a terrible FT shooter. I don't think there was a single one of us that didn't cringe when he had to make clutch FTs. He did on occasion, but in his career, he was awful at the line.
Collins has a much better-looking stroke. I think he'll be fine at the line.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:10 PM ^
IIRC, he was a very good FT shooter in HS, so some of this might be nerves.
Collins looks like a guy who plays at 100 mph when everyone else is going 75. That is going to lead to some rim buckets, a lot of FTAs and some energy-related TOs in both directions.
Enjoyed the Collins-Brooks-TWill-Houstan-Dickinson lineup today.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:13 PM ^
Great to hear. I had no idea one way or other. Just wonder why he has not started already. Frankie shows great energy when in there and I am pulling for him.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^
He will improve his FT shooting. He is too valuable to have on the bench.
December 4th, 2021 at 6:11 PM ^
I think his FT will continue to improve to 70%+.
Coaches supposedly broke down his mechanics and rebuilt them. I see an excellent tuck of the right elbow and elevation of the arm with the right side forward. Left hand is still “topping” the ball, but that is very correctable.
He showed a lot of moxie today and he is adjusting to the college level very quickly - and his athleticism is ++.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:00 PM ^
I agree 1,000%
December 4th, 2021 at 3:16 PM ^
But, what if we make him the starter and then he leaves, and goes to Hollywood? Maybe I’m overthinking things. I should probably just relax
December 4th, 2021 at 3:27 PM ^
That's what Frankie would say.
December 4th, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^
Don’t do it!
December 4th, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^
From the start, the two biggest teamwide issues I have seen are driving to the hoop without a plan and defensive busts. They cleaned up both of those quite a bit today, although there was still some poor defensive movement at times when plays broke down.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:03 PM ^
Collins played really well and the intensity seemed back for the whole team as a result. Will have to improve at the charity stripe but looks like the best option there. No offense to Jones but he just doesn't look athletic enough to play at this level right now and so he makes a lot of mistakes.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:19 PM ^
Not only looking limited athletically, but he seems more overwhelmed by the upgrade opposition than the freshman. Sometimes Jones looks like a dude navigating a minefield when he’s dribbling around.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:08 PM ^
Is this where snowflakes are gonna go? Eh sure.
Collins received the keys to the offense in the 2nd half, and it's clear that this is the best for Michigan now and in the future. He's just brings an energy and motion that Jones clearly lacks and though he's still a work in progress scoring wise, his willingness to attack makes him the clear guy moving forward. His inclusion seemed to bring everyone to life including...
Houstan with his first game where he really showed off his 5 star ability. 4 for 5 from deep is going to make him a plus on the floor even as he work out how to defend at the college level. Felt like he was more engaged this game, which is a good sign for sure.
Dickinson: still the guy. Played essentially the whole game, as opposed to his foul filled game against UNC. Felt like the ball moved through him on many of our strong possessions. Nice to see a bounce back performance, and splashed a couple of 3s as well for good measure.
Bottom line is with Collins on the floor and Jones off, everything just seems to function better offensively, and the defensive engagement seems to tie closely to our offensive performance. Can't wait to get Diabate into the mix: Collins, Eli, Houstan, Diabate, Dickinson feels like the finishing group to watch assuming Houstan and Collins continue to progress, particularly if the Diabate/Dickinson can at least provide some spacing threat.
Still don't think this team should be ranked given just how poor Arizona/UNC was, but frankly (pun intended) I think it'll be good for this team to earn their due with Collins on the floor. The improvement today was great to see, and I think there's a path forward for this team to be strong that I didn't see with Jones at the helm.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:10 PM ^
After this game, you gotta start Collins. Collins runs the offense so much better, collapses the defense, and finds open shooters like Jones can't. His stop/start athleticism and quickness also puts defenders on skates. This team needs to manufacture good 3 point shot looks and Collins does not while Jones can't
December 4th, 2021 at 3:12 PM ^
Yes. He has the ability and the attitude to be a winner. He will make the offense easier for everyone.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:12 PM ^
But, but , but all of the people earlier were saying how we were all wrong and only the coaches can see obvious stuff.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:15 PM ^
I'm glad Houstan played a bit better. I really hope they work with him on finishing at the rim. He needs some floaters or crafty moves like the right hand finish because he lacks explosion at the finish. But I'm glad he played well.
Frankie is clearly the starter unless and everyone sees it. Go on!
Love that HD got so many minutes. He needs to be the focal point and I'd play him a lot.
I'd love to see Bufkin grab some minutes at the two because he can also stretch the floor, and I think Brooks is being asked to do too much at times, and his shooting is suffering a bit.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:16 PM ^
Houstan didn't play a bit better. He played substantially better.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:15 PM ^
I’m sure Jones is a good dude, but he hasn’t looked good in any game yet this year (his 8-7-9 or whatever “near triple double” people were hot about came with like five fouls and five turnovers). Even if Frankie was playing equally as poorly, you need to start him because, IMHO, the odds of a freshmen making strides are much higher than those of a super senior.
Jones would have to be playing much better than Collins to justify playing over him and I think that’s clearly not the case (even without emphasizing the huge disparity today). However, I don’t begrudge Howard for trying Jones for a while— a freshman pg is a fickle mistress, but it’s what the teams needs.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:25 PM ^
True, but I would think Juwan of all people would be receptive to playing a freshman.
December 4th, 2021 at 4:12 PM ^
Hunter Dickinson didn't start last year until Austin Davis was injured. It was inevitable (just like Diabate and likely Collins this year), but Coach Howard has already displayed a preference in at least some situations to ease first year players into the starting lineup.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:16 PM ^
He certainly made the case for playing time. I don't mind seeing him eased in like this. Today was a big win, and he's the future.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^
In college, the seasons are so short and this team does not have a very long leash to grab a potentially higher seed. They can't really ease Frankie into this. They have to give him a lot of minutes and let him work through mistakes.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:20 PM ^
Yes— he’s going to explode horribly in some games and we’re just going to have to deal. That’s part of getting him ready ASAP.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:16 PM ^
Still hoping Johns gets his confidence back. It's almost painful when he gets the ball beyond the arc and clearly hesitates to shoot.
Even the one he made suggested the problem, in his oversized reaction to making one.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^
We're still going to need Jones to contribute. I don't particularly like it but I sort of understand what coach is doing.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:17 PM ^
The time is coming for Frankie, I just think Howard wants to bring him along slowly. Once some of the small mistakes are cleaned up, it will be hard to keep him off the court.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:25 PM ^
It’s beyond obvious at this point. If Frankie didn’t play nearly as much today, this game takes a different direction. He’s needed for what this team lacks right now and that is energy, defense and ball movement. His ability to get into areas and move people around and facilitate ball rotation are solely needed. Jones is a quality back up at this point to provide stability as Frankie matures. Hopefully Zeb and or Kobe will come along as well.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:28 PM ^
And all the people said, "Amen!"
December 4th, 2021 at 3:35 PM ^
Jiminy Ricketts!
December 4th, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
I'm just leaving the game. I agree I think this will be the game we look back on as when JH gave the keys to Collins. I think coach gave Jones a big enough sample size to see if he could ever relax and play the position .
Also really interesting It seems like JH never made a substitution the final 15 minutes of game.
December 4th, 2021 at 3:46 PM ^
Frankie is electric! Doesn't really know what he is doing yet, can't shoot a lick, but great athleticism, can get us easy baskets. Got into the lane for a layup, had a steal for a dunk, these are the kinds of easy hoops we have been lacking. Plus, the threat of him getting to the rim opens up the floor. Clearly a better choice than Jones.
Houstan much better, he and others hit a few threes and, what do you know, Hunter starts to get some scores in the lane. Zeb got a few minutes, looked lost out there, still too soon to draw a firm conclusion, but would not be surprised if he transfers, with Dug coming in next year.
Now let's see if Juwan reads the message boards, figures out that Frankie has to get most of the point guard minutes...
December 4th, 2021 at 3:56 PM ^
#FreeFrankie
December 4th, 2021 at 4:09 PM ^
Jones has become the second coming of Dan Pelakoudas….for you long time fans
December 4th, 2021 at 4:11 PM ^
I wouldn’t be surprised if Jones ends up behind Jackson in the guard rotation by the end of the year, and Jackson looked a bit lost this game.
December 4th, 2021 at 4:29 PM ^
We were +17 with Frankie in the game and -3 with Jones. Juwan has to see this, right?
December 4th, 2021 at 4:32 PM ^
Seeing Collins play more minutes today makes me thankful yet again for Juwan. Not a coach that insists on a square peg in a round hole ala Hoke/Borges with Denard under center or RichRod with running zone read with Threet. See if Jones can be the scorer he was advertised as when coming. Ball handling is kind of a thing for a PG.
December 4th, 2021 at 5:38 PM ^
December 4th, 2021 at 4:46 PM ^
The cool thing about Dickinson's three-pointers is that they were straight money. They didn't hit rim, swirl around- swish every time.