max bielfeldt
zak irvin
hoops game recaps
muhammad ali abdur-rahkman
aubrey dawkins
2014-15 nebraska

Michigan 58, Nebraska 44 Comment Count

Ace


Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog

Derrick Walton came out for warmups, limped around on his injured toe, and exited early to the locker room. He'd emerge in sweats, out for a critical game against Nebraska and their stout defense.

You'd have been excused for assuming the worst at that point. Michigan not only found a way to win, though, they did so comfortably, relying on defense and contributions from players who weren't even expected to see significant minutes when the season started.

The Wolverines stifled the Huskers while switching up defensive schemes regularly; star Terran Petteway was totally off his game, going 1/11 from the field to finish with just seven points. Nebraska started cold and couldn't snap out of it, missing contested shot after contested shot. High scorer Shavon Shields even required 16 shot equivalents to tally his 14 points.

With Walton sidelined, Michigan needed a big performance from Zak Irvin, and he came through not only with his scoring—a team-high 14—but also with career highs in rebounds (12) and assists (3). Irvin's effort on the boards covered for Walton's usual contributions in that regard.

The play of a pair of freshmen was just as encouraging. Aubrey Dawkins had an efficient 13 points on seven shots, hitting three triples and two midrange jumpers off curl cuts that were eerily reminiscent of GRIII's pet shot.  Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman added nine, helping Michigan pull away in the second half with a pair of impressive transition finishes and a tough and-one. His burst to the basket stood out in a season when Michigan has struggled to get to the rim.

Max Bielfeldt continued his recent solid play with a 12-point, nine-rebound performance; four of those boards came on offense as he simply outworked Nebraska's bigs. His performance proved critical as Ricky Doyle had a quiet 14 minutes and Mark Donnal missed the game due to illness.

Michigan's taken lump after lump and yet have somehow pushed through to 6-3 in the Big Ten. Given the circumstances, this may have been the most impressive win so far. With a collection of walk-ons and freshmen supporting Irvin, the Wolverines blew out a Nebraska squad that entered with the second-stingiest defense in the conference.

While expectations have lowered significantly with Caris LeVert out for the year and Walton hobbled, this team has become... fun? Yeah, let's go with fun.

Comments

Frank Booth

January 27th, 2015 at 9:25 PM ^

I have been really impressed with the MAAR, Dawkins, and Doyle through the progression of this season. These guys have grown so much from the beginning of the season. I'm not very optimistic about making the tourney, but this team shows lots of potential for next season.



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Willhouse

January 27th, 2015 at 9:25 PM ^

It's amazing how these freshmen and role players are developing - some even blossoming - under Beilein. They keep this up and there might be some high expectations next year. For now, having now expectations, it is indeed fun to watch.



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Franz Schubert

January 27th, 2015 at 9:30 PM ^

Now that they have switched to primarily zone, Michigan is playing very good defense and at some point deserves credit for it. Best defense of the Beilein era. Period.

Joined: 07/20/2009

MGoPoints: 4453

Mannix

January 27th, 2015 at 11:41 PM ^

I'd submit Nebraska, if they could shoot from 3, had plenty of good looks. D was good but UM obviously knew Nebraska wasn't going to pull much from 3 and sagged to give help toward Petteway.



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Go Blue Eyes

January 27th, 2015 at 9:38 PM ^

I was at the game tonight, and although there were some empty seats in the upper areas, the fans were really behind the team.  With all the injuries it would be very easy to give up on this team so it's pretty cool to see the level of fan support behind the players.

Joined: 12/04/2010

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Gr1mlock

January 27th, 2015 at 9:43 PM ^

This has been a weird season, but in some weird way I'm glad all the bad stuff happened early*. Now that my expectations have been reset to "NIT bubble team"; I can enjoy each win as found money and write off each loss as "this weird season", rather than stressing over each game like I was in the non-conference season. As Ace kinda said, it's made following the games fun again, which wasn't the case for a while.


*not saying I'm glad Caris got hurt or that we had horrible losses, just trying to silver lining it



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Blazefire

January 27th, 2015 at 10:02 PM ^

Only Coach B could have not just the nation's leading, but the all-time RECORD setting offense two years running - enter the next season, see that it just wasn't working, and in just a few weeks, turn the team into a defensive juggernaught. I mean, holy crap.

"Why a smug little grin? It's okay, when you're better than everyone else at something, you can do it, too."

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BLHoke

January 27th, 2015 at 10:06 PM ^

This season is fun, satisfying & rewarding in its own right given all of the NBA exodus coupled with the rash of injuries that has plagued us as of late... But it's also going to pay huge dividends next season I believe. These Freshman are getting a baptism by fire, and while some are swimming better than others, it can only bode well for the future. Especially if Caris happens to declare early in spite of his injury.

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1of12MattDamons

January 27th, 2015 at 11:01 PM ^

This team is so fun to watch. The defense has improved so much and the offense is starting to pick up a bit as well. M may not make the tourney this year, but I am starting to think next season is going to be a very good one indeed.

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michmaiku

January 27th, 2015 at 11:13 PM ^

A fun likeable team, well coached and reaching beyond apparent potential is fine with me.  Much better than one-and-done teams that have little chance of living up to the stratospheric hype -- only one team can win the NCAA tournament each year, after all, and even the "best" can be taken down in one game. 

Don't get me wrong, I want Beilein to get a title or two, and think he has the chops if the pieces and March luck fall in place, but for a program with class, style and longevity, wouldn't trade him for anyone out there.

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MGoPoints: 4616

UMaD

January 27th, 2015 at 11:33 PM ^

I would submit that this team was always fun.  If you were MAD at the team because your expectations were too high, well...isn't that about YOU?

I would also submit that WINNING is fun.  It wasn't fun getting crushed by Ohio State and it's not going to be fun the next time we get crushed by team that isn't playing godawful basketball like Nebraska played tonight.

Is this team fun? Yes.  Were they more fun when they were going nose-to-nose with Villanova and beating Oregon? Yes.  Was watching Caris do his thing fun? Yes.  Will watching Derrick, Zak and all these freshman step up be fun? Yes.  Will seeing Spike get pushed to his limits be fun? Yes.

Is it going to suck if we miss the tournament? Yes.

Anyway, don't let your expectations hijak your enjoyment.  There was WAY too much of this in years past with Manny, THJ, GR3, and this year Caris.

Now go beat State!

 

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Mannix

January 27th, 2015 at 11:37 PM ^

Really ridiculous this team is winning without its top 2 players after their top 5 are gone from last two years.

Net loss of best players= 7.

FTW.

Great resolve by the Coaching staff and players. Pretty impressive, too.



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SDCran

January 28th, 2015 at 1:13 AM ^

I know that we have won a lot of close games, but the optimistic side of me notices that we are 1 point away from being alone in first place in the B1G. The realist in me sees the 2nd half schedule and understands, but wow, given everything, that's pretty amazing.

Joined: 01/27/2010

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Harbaugh Very Much

January 28th, 2015 at 7:00 AM ^

Tough, hardworking players. Outstanding coach. Beilein is like a master chef that can empty your fridge and make a great meal out of anything.  Enjoyed this 3 game stretch (Rutgers, Wisconsin, Nebraska) as much as any UM games since last season's Wisconsin/MSU wins.  Great win for this team. Keep it up.  

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Dunkin' Robinson

January 28th, 2015 at 9:40 AM ^

Also, he seems to think too much rather than be instinctive and gets him into trouble. I think he should be much improved for next year. It is a little disappointing that someone as heralded as he was looks this lost out there as a freshman compared to MAAR and Aubrey. 

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Michigan9

January 28th, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^

The injuries have hurt this team and I won't compare to other teams losses because it makes no sense.  However, the increased responsibility and playing time for they guys still remaining is becoming more and more valuable.  Great win yesterday, if we can get to the 20 win mark with a nice run in the big 10 tourney we have a shot at making the dance.

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