hoops game recaps
2014-15 arizona
in the face

Arizona 80, Michigan 53 Comment Count

Ace


In the face. (GIF via Vice Sports.)

For a reeling, young, undersized Michigan squad, Arizona represented one of the worst possible matchups.

It showed.

The Wolverines fell in a laugher, unable to deal with the Wildcats' imposing combination of size, skill, and athleticism. Michigan's inability to generate shots inside the arc or hit them from beyond it led to an early deficit that only grew as Kameron Chatman and then Zak Irvin found themselves in foul trouble.

At one point in the first half, John Beilein threw out a lineup of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Caris LeVert, Aubrey Dawkins, Max Bielfeldt, and Mark Donnal; Beilein subsequently relented on his usually rigid foul policy and reinserted Irvin late in the half despite his two fouls.

The situation only got more dire in the second stanza, as M failed to score a point until the 14:55 mark; the Arizona faithful stood until that moment, displaying impressive adherence to tradition. The Wolverines remained unable to get into the paint, get out on the break, grab offensive rebounds, or defend the interior; adding to the blowout, Arizona got numerous second-chance buckets after failing to record an offensive rebound in the first half—not as much of a surprise as it may seem, as they only missed nine shots in that span.

The individual issues are barely worth noting; such is the nature of a bloodbath. Zak Irvin's shooting woes continued, and a mental lapse of some sort earned him a benching from Beilein mere moments into the second half. Caris LeVert, repeatedly denied even a sniff of the rim, couldn't carry the offense as he has in the past. The bigs were helpless against Arizona's impressive front line of Brandon Ashley, Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Kaleb Tarczewski.

Without context, this game may not be cause for sounding the alarm; after all, this was an extremely tough matchup—especially for a young Michigan front—against a very good team in the first true road game of the season. Coming off back-to-back upset losses at home, however, it's time to acknowledge the possibility that the Wolverines will have to claw their way into the NCAA tournament picture, even with Beilein on the bench. This team is better than it looked today, but it's also got a long way to go.

Comments

Gulogulo37

December 13th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^

Well, at least it looks like no one from this team is leaving early from the NBA, right? I believe Bielfeldt is our lone senior. We should be much better next year. At this point, I'm just hoping they make the tourney.

Joined: 03/16/2010

MGoPoints: 28306

Tater

December 13th, 2014 at 8:15 PM ^

I am not going to worry yet.  This team is going to have to grow and find its identity.  Almost everyone on the team has new responsibilities.  It is going to take longer than we like, but I still think they will be fine by February.  

The "silver lining" here is that JB has plenty of coachable moments from the last three games.  I think this team's learning curve is about to accelerate.  The obvious sticking point is that if they don't take a few steps soon, they are going to dig an almost impossible hole for the NCAA Tournament.  

I still think they are going to make it.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

The2nd_JEH

December 13th, 2014 at 7:25 PM ^

I still think we can make it to the tournament. It'll be tough but I see us winning a big game or two on the road in B1G because of hot shooting. When you have no inside presence, live by the 3, die by the 3. We'll have a couple of games where we are just lights out.

And btw, I'm all for Doyle starting over Donnal.

Joined: 06/11/2010

MGoPoints: 7026

wbpbrian

December 13th, 2014 at 7:27 PM ^

To be honest I did not watch the game. I am now glad I didn't. From watching our previous game, I would say we lack a presence in the paint which gives teams the ability to exploit us in the paint on both sides of the court. We could really use Mitch McGary right now. I would say Belien needs to pick up a big guy this year. I wouldn't mind taking a transfer or a lesser 3 star recruit but we need to gain size in the paint. I can understand that our freshman lack the scheme knowledge that leaves openings for teams to exploit, but it can't be all on just the scheme's difficulty to learn.

Joined: 01/23/2014

MGoPoints: 1345

991GT3

December 13th, 2014 at 7:37 PM ^

shooting Ninja's when we need size and strength in the backcourt? The announcers and ESPN comments after the game were truly offensive. Though young and small they deserve better.

If they do make the tournament it will be one and done.

Joined: 12/14/2013

MGoPoints: 1133

Bagheera

December 13th, 2014 at 7:38 PM ^

Beilein needs to recruit better players.  You can't replace first-round picks with unranked three-star freshmen and expect to be competitive.  

Four members of our six-man class this year were nationally unranked.  That isn't good enough here.

Joined: 11/18/2014

MGoPoints: 4305

CoMisch

December 13th, 2014 at 7:41 PM ^

This is getting brutal. We should be better than this and I can't tell you how pissed I am that the ncaa was going to suspend Mitch for half a year, he was coming back. FFFFF them. F



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 01/14/2012

MGoPoints: 3246

Black Socks

December 13th, 2014 at 7:46 PM ^

Michigan lost a lot to the NBA recently.  Arizona is a good team, but it doesn't matter because Kentucky is winning it all.

Joined: 11/30/2009

MGoPoints: 14363

Yinka Double Dare

December 14th, 2014 at 2:47 AM ^

Unlike some other years, this Kentucky team is ridiculous. So much talent, if anyone isn't playing up to snuff they have multiple options to take his spot. Duke and maybe Arizona are even close. Obviously in the tourney a team could shoot the lights out on them but this Kentucky team looks even stronger than the Brow/MKG/et al squad that won it a few years ago

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 9754

alum96

December 13th, 2014 at 8:01 PM ^

Disappointed.  Not that we lost but I felt like that team gave up in the 2nd half.  That's unacceptable. 

Team just settles way too much for the outside J.  Lack of elite athletes inside shows badly in games like this.  

The defense was pathetic.  Arizona drove inside at will.  I know John wants a great shooter at every position but the 5 should be an elite athlete who can jump out of the gym and cause issues for other teams when we are on defense.  With the rest of the team playing matador defense this has been a problem for years when Mitch or Morgan (last year only) were not in the game.   Go get one of those 6'10 guys who are 235 lbs and is not a great shooter to at least plug that hole 15 minutes a game.  Our whole offense is either dribble drives (rarely) or 3 pt shooting so no need for a 5 who can shoot.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82422

NYMICH

December 13th, 2014 at 7:56 PM ^

This is an NIT team at best.  And its not going to get better anytime soon.  This team needs more size.  Beilien got caught flat footed when McGary was suspended and Horford decided to leave so he could launch 3 pointers for Florida.  The lack of an inside presence is killing this team.  Doyle is a year away at least from being able to hold his own inside against real competition.  Donnell probably never will.

You can only find so many 3 star diamonds in the rough.  I would he have rather saved those scholarships that he used at the last minute to recruit some size next year.

Please, for the love of God, recruit someone taller than 6'9" next year.  Michigan will not contend for national titles without one.

Joined: 09/01/2012

MGoPoints: 284

NYMICH

December 13th, 2014 at 8:24 PM ^

Beilien fell in love with under the radar talents because so many panned out over the last couple of years.  Normally, they become useful in year three in a program, if ever.  That's why they are under the radar talents.

If any coach can take this mess and make it a real team its Beilien.  But please, if you are going to take fliers on unknown 3 stars, at least let them be 6'11".

Joined: 09/01/2012

MGoPoints: 284

AlwaysBlue

December 13th, 2014 at 10:30 PM ^

is wrong. Beilein needed some program guys...the type that develop and stay 4 years. You sprinkle in the stars. He was victimized by success in losing so many sophomores. The recent under the radar guys will be valuable in the long run.

Joined: 11/23/2008

MGoPoints: 7854

atom evolootion

December 13th, 2014 at 11:08 PM ^

This is what everybody seems to miss... If not for a silly mistake, an iron-fisted farce of a suspension, and an out-of-the-blue decision to transfer, this team would be much bigger and stronger in the paint. If McGary and Horford are in the game today, the paintball war isn't so decisively one-sided.

Joined: 11/03/2013

MGoPoints: 1069

snarling wolverine

December 13th, 2014 at 8:21 PM ^

We have some tall guys.  The thing is, they take time to develop.   The problem was the unexpected departure of Horford.  He wasn't a star but could have given us quality minutes at the 5 and allowed Doyle to slowly grow into the position.  Instead we have to rush him in right now.

As for this being "an NIT team at best," let's just wait and see.  Beilein's teams consistently improve as the year goes on.

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 98328

atom evolootion

December 13th, 2014 at 11:15 PM ^

People were down on last year's team when they lost to Charlotte, Virginia and Arizona, and look how they fared. I ain't calling this team last year's team, but we're ten games into the season with puppies playing roles that seniors play on most other teams. Consider this, as well: these puppies are playing in an intricate Beilein system.

Joined: 11/03/2013

MGoPoints: 1069

harmon98

December 13th, 2014 at 7:56 PM ^

RIP the pick and roll. We're decidedly one dimensional which makes for poor offense. We're also still allowing the more than occasional easy penetration layups which are entirely mental lapses. Need more mental toughness.

Joined: 07/24/2008

MGoPoints: 9886