White Collar Team vs Nebraska Open Thread

Submitted by LS And Play on

Michigan -- and its 348th ranked 3-point defense (I wish I was kidding) -- will tip off against Nebraska in about 45 minutes. The bad news: This is likely another curb stomping by an average opponent. The good news, if you're the betting type: Nebraska is amazingly +9, so if you like free money today is a win. Go Patriots! 

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BLHoke

January 14th, 2017 at 4:00 PM ^

If Zac would attack like that consistently, he'd make the game so much easier for himself and everyone else. Instead, contested long 2 after contested long 2.



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Joined: 08/17/2011

MGoPoints: 5018

SHub'68

January 14th, 2017 at 4:04 PM ^

drives me crazy.  Not sure what the stats say today, but I've watched Donnal block out pretty well a couple times, then he kind of just waits for the ball to fall into the empty space in front of him.  He doesn't aggressively go after the ball.  As long as no one else comes along and takes it, he gets the ball.  Unfortunately, much too often an aggressive player from the other team will fly in and take the ball while he watches.

Wagner gets out of position and doesn't seal anyone off - he, and Wilson does this too, kind of gets into the mix scrambling after the ball.  Sometimes he gets it, sometimes he doesn't - but all the time this equalizes his height with the smaller guys around him and puts him at a disadvantage to smaller, quicker opponents.

Hope for later?  Maybe Wagner puts on 20-30 pounds of muscle, learns to box out and seal off his man.  He'll be a good rebounder because he has the aggression that's needed.  Maybe Wilson learns how to seal someone off...I don't expect Donnal to suddenly develop a nose for the ball.

Joined: 09/29/2010

MGoPoints: 6662

SHub'68

January 14th, 2017 at 4:19 PM ^

this is why I don't really have a lot of hope it'll happen.  It's been a problem for a very long time, regardless of the players.  I suspect it is not coached much (if at all) and the guys who do it, kind of figured it out for themselves.  It's a good way to get yourself playing time on most normal teams - no matter where you are on the floor, when a shot goes up, find an opposing jersey and wall it off from the basket.  I kind of sucked when I played in high school, but at 6 ft plus, got to play a lot because I figured this out.  And I wanted the ball (so I could give it to someone else who knew what to do with it!); wanting the ball is tough to coach, but boxing out is not.

Joined: 09/29/2010

MGoPoints: 6662

Grabelnyc

January 15th, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^

Mo was out of position once or twice yesterday but make no mistake watch him consistently and you'll see that he's phenomenally disciplined when it comes to boxing out off the ball. 99% of guys go to the basket watching the shot. Mo does it right. He realizes you can't do much for that split second the ball is in the air. He turns and finds his man, puts a body. Seals an area. Euro fundamentals. Where he can use some bulk is boxing out free throws. He still gets pushed around too much there.

Joined: 03/30/2016

MGoPoints: 177

M-Dog

January 14th, 2017 at 4:13 PM ^

Seems like we shoud not have to work so hard to beat Neb at home, but I'll take any win we can get right now.

We need to shoot about 95% from the three line or Wisc is going to maul us.

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257573

umchicago

January 14th, 2017 at 4:19 PM ^

is that JB goes a little more offense/defense with some players; especially walton/simpson and wagner/donnal.  this will help keep them fresh and out of foul trouble.

i could see doing it with robinson/maar too.

wilson needs to play more aggressive D on Hayes.

i'm not getting my hopes up for any of these events though.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33709

Lil boy blue

January 14th, 2017 at 4:17 PM ^

Is a good coach. He hasn't lost his players. He hasn't forgotten how to coach basketball. Let's give this man the respect he deserves and allow him to coach and develop his players. Speculating on his dismissal is silly right now anyway. Good win today - no reason there won't be more in the future. Go Blue

Joined: 12/30/2016

MGoPoints: 1985

umchicago

January 14th, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^

he has just had poor development from the upperclass guards.  they all are below average in breaking down the D and creating for others.  i was hoping maar could be that guy to take the leap this year.  unfortunately he has taken a step backwards.

irvin is the only guy who even attempts to break down the D anymore and that was never a strength due to mediocre ballhandling skills.  so we are stuck with that.  that's why i rarely complain about irvin because he is forced to shoulder too much out there on offense.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33709

Lil boy blue

January 14th, 2017 at 4:32 PM ^

But Irvin is polarizing to me every game. Even with a larger than expected workload he still is inconsistent in fundamentals and will hit clutch shots but then rush shots in crunch time when he doesn't need to. Had one again today. We need to be tougher and more disciplined but if we notice that I am sure the man being paid to coach the team does. It will always come down to personnel and we don't have the roster needed to be true contenders yet. Enjoy what is Monk and UK, UNC's entire roster and Ball @ UCLA. Those are all fun teams to watch and any honest fan knows we aren't near their level.

Joined: 12/30/2016

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