Michigan 73, North Carolina 64
So.
Uh.
Michigan just eviscerated North Carolina on a neutral court.
I know the final margin is a "mere" nine points. It doesn't tell the story. After falling behind by nine points early, the Wolverines went on a ferocious tear through the middle half of the game, taking a five-point lead into halftime that ballooned to as many as 24 points in the second half. UNC star Cole Anthony led a valiant comeback effort that never saw the Tar Heels get within eight points of Michigan over the game's final 16 minutes.
The manner in which Michigan won could hardly be more encouraging for a team under a new coach with a lot of new players in the rotation. Outstanding defensive play from Jon Teske and Colin Castleton forced North Carolina to become a midrange-shooting team that ran their offense through their post players instead of Anthony for much of the afternoon, and when the freshman guard got a shot up it was usually well-contested. Teske was particularly dominant, adding four blocks and a steal to his ten points and eight rebounds.
With a late flurry, Anthony managed 22 points on 20 shot equivalents. Big men Garrison Brooks and Armando Bacot, not usually offensive focal points, combined for 19 points on 23 shot equivalents. Met with great resistance in the paint from M's centers, UNC went only 9-for-19 at the rim and 3-for-8 on other shots in the paint. The team executed Juwan Howard's defensive gameplan to near perfection.
They did so despite both Zavier Simpson and Isaiah Livers fouling out, Simpson with over five minutes left as the Tar Heels were charging back. Once again, Eli Brooks stepped forward to lead the team, tying the career high he set in the season opener with 24 points on only 16 shot equivalents. He drilled a three-pointer, one of four on the day, with 1:12 left to stretch the lead to 12 and end any chance of a Carolina comeback.
Before their early exits, Simpson and Livers made timely plays. Simpson doled out six assists against only one turnover in addition to an efficient seven points and his usual strong defense. Quiet for much of the afternoon, Livers made two huge shots—a pick-and-pop three and a transition layup—and found Brooks for the game-sealing triple to finish with 12 points and three assists.
David DeJulius provided instant offense off the bench again, scoring 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting and repeatedly breaking down the UNC defense off the dribble to create shots for teammates—he easily could've finished with more than two assists. The only major disappointment was the play of Franz Wagner, who looked like he was still getting accustomed to the college game, going 1-for-6 with three assists and four turnovers in 33 minutes. Even that provides another reason for optimism: imagine this team when Wagner is up to speed.
This Michigan team, now 6-0, might just be really good, and sooner than anyone would've expected. They'll face the winner of Gonzaga/Oregon, happening right now on ESPN, for the Battle 4 Atlantis title tomorrow at 2 pm. I'll have a preview posted this evening or tomorrow morning.
[Hit THE JUMP for the box score.]
November 28th, 2019 at 4:24 PM ^
I’m pretty impressed with Eli’s development, good for him. IIRC we beat out Nova for him, so he wasn’t a nobody coming out of high school. However after his last couple years, I did not see this coming.
Big sleep continues to crush it
Go blue. Fuck Ohio
November 28th, 2019 at 5:09 PM ^
Fuuuuuck Ohio.
... and ditto on the Brooks thing.
Fuck Ohio.
November 28th, 2019 at 4:27 PM ^
UNDEFEATED
UNSTOPPABLE
November 29th, 2019 at 8:53 AM ^
Fuck Ohio
November 28th, 2019 at 4:36 PM ^
The emergence of Brooks and DDJ make this a dangerous team. Would not have imagined that the guards would be a (maybe the) strength of this team.
It's unmistakable that Juwan can coach. DDJ, Brooks, Castleton, Johns, Livers all look better and more confident this year. Some of that is natural growth, but not all.
Simpson is still adjusting to the new style, but he's such a hard worker I'm confident he'll get there. Teske already seems to be adapting to the new offense.
What a pleasant, happy surprise - and so quickly!
Go Blue - keep it up!
November 28th, 2019 at 7:43 PM ^
Couldn't agree more. Even Austin Davis looked pretty good last night.
I feel like Wagner is just off his game and will be really good once things start clicking.
November 29th, 2019 at 1:19 AM ^
I mean the dude literally had not played a minute of college ball before playing his first game against a power five team in the Bahamas, and still nailed a 3 on his first shot. His second game was against frigging UNC. The offense hasn't been there yet but he's been very active and looks like a future star. Would be surprised if he hadn't taken a big step forward by the time the new year rolls around
November 29th, 2019 at 9:06 AM ^
He was out for weeks because of the injury. Add that to it being his first actual games in this U.S. /NCAA style of basketball. It takes some adjusting to. Then add UNC... to be honest my son and I were laughing at his difficult game. But he hit that late shot which was good. Can't wait to see what he brings to the team.
November 29th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
TBF, that's been Beilein's calling card, getting the younguns up to speed when it's their turn.
Oh wait. Beilein's gone. Good on JH. Part of the Beilein magic was recruiting guys ready and eager to learn and to get better. I trust Howard gets that part of it and continues to recruit good guys with lots of potential. The 5-stars are nice, but seeing lightly recruited Michigan men continue to fill the NBA ranks is really satisfying.
November 28th, 2019 at 4:36 PM ^
If this is the type of basketball we are going to get from Juwan’s teams, I am very, very excited about the future.
November 28th, 2019 at 4:37 PM ^
Word to East Landfill:
You nervous yet?
November 28th, 2019 at 4:39 PM ^
Johns made some wicked blocks. Wow. He's becoming a physical force.
I didn't understand why on all those pullups that Teske wasn't putting a hand up, instead hanging by net, looks like he's being told to hang low. And sometimes he needs to just jump toward the basket for a slam, instead he seems to lose balance and falls over, but he doesn't realize he has the leverage being so big, but sometimes he doesnt go in strong. Howard will address this.
DeJulius is really good. If Simpson gets fouled out, there won't be a drop-off. Thank goodness we got this kid. He's a future all BIG first team player. Clutch. And the double teams at end didn't phase him. If this were the first year of watching these guys I'd think that DeJulius is at least Simpsons equal.
Castleton seems to be getting an edge. Doing a good job getting tip ins.
Wagner was a bit of a liability for a big chunk of game, but only because he's new to the American game, with the fouls and errors, and it's gonna take half a season for him to come around, but he looks better than Mo at this age. But when he is at full force he is gonna be a bit like Iggy, fearless going to hole.
Brooks made a ton of clutch shots, with a spattering of bad plays. He is really good too.
Livers is our best player as of now.
Color me shocked how good we're playing. Howard is the man folks. You best believe we will get recruits looking our way now.
November 28th, 2019 at 5:12 PM ^
I was wondering the same in regards to Teske and contesting shots. I think it was to rebound, considering UNCs strength on the offensive glass. If Teske over contests shots he ends up out of position to rebound.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:36 PM ^
Honestly I think sometimes letting a player take that awkward midrange jumper and not even contesting, may actually make the player more nervous and likely miss even more so than if he contested?
November 28th, 2019 at 8:09 PM ^
If a team can beat you taking awkward, mid-range shots or just mid-range shots, you take your hat off. If they beat you on the offensive glass, then you tear your hair out. ;-)
November 28th, 2019 at 10:50 PM ^
It's intentional. It's drop coverage. You contest threes, give up the mid-range, but protect the rim with your bigs. You shouldn't give up as many offensive boards, either. It limits a team's athleticism from beating and forces them to shoot well or die in the half-court. It's a great scheme against a team like UNC.
Wagner's only playing his second game and it's going to take time. He's the typical, first-year player step or two slow, and could use more strength. He appears to have the right tools and instincts; I'd bet on him coming on by mid-season, or so.
All told, the team looks pretty good and Juwan's doing a damn fine job. I'd like to see a fix for these scoring lulls we're prone to, but he has a top 10 - 20 team right now, with potential for more. Pretty happy.
November 28th, 2019 at 5:15 PM ^
On Teske's at-rim defense, it's clearly a coaching decision because he would not have done that last year. My guess: our coaches don't trust the refs to call verticality correctly and they want to keep him out of foul trouble. It also helps with rebounding.
Personally I'd rather unleash him, as he did a great job staying vertical last year. But this seems to be working well enough!
November 28th, 2019 at 4:43 PM ^
Excited for this team but trying to keep expectations in check.
Love the energy and potential of Johns Jr. on the defensive end -(2 blocks) - seems like he needs to just let things work out in time naturally on offense and REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT TREY BURKE as far as passing goes.
November 28th, 2019 at 4:52 PM ^
Unbelievable!. They outrebounded UNC. Rebs was my biggest worry in thus game. Team continued to shoot well and Brooks was a stud.
Onward. Win tomorrow and we go from unranked to top 10. Kudos to this coaching staff and the overall player improvement.
Go Blue!
November 28th, 2019 at 5:24 PM ^
Yes, that is unbelievable, in that it’s incorrect. Michigan did not outrebound UNC, either via counting stats (36-34) or in terms of offensive rebound percentages (28%-19%). However, they did well enough to let their better shooting win out — while UNC had ten (!) more shot equivalents than Michigan did, Michigan’s 60% eFG% was worlds better than UNC’s 44%, and UNC really helped out by missing half of their free throws.
November 28th, 2019 at 7:35 PM ^
I should not trust cbs. It shows 31-29 mich.
November 28th, 2019 at 5:02 PM ^
Michigan won despite their leader missing most of the final 30 minutes of the game b/c DDJ and Brooks combined for 35 points on 25 shot equivalents. And with their best defender off the court, Michigan absolutely handled a future top-5 pick. I would love to see what Anthony’s stat line was when either DDJ and Brooks were on him. Those two clicking is by far the biggest development of this early season so far. Adds a dynamic that last year’s team just couldn’t ever find.
It’s also interesting that Wagner was tied for the team’s best +/- despite not doing much on offense. Clearly he must not have had as rough of a game as I was thinking.
And it’s worth mentioning that as nerve-racking as the final stretch got, Michigan’s win probability was never below 91.7% (although that was down from 99.8%). That 53-20 run when they were initially down 16-7 was a thing of beauty.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:40 PM ^
Wagner had a solid game defensively, but on offense, he had a bunch of weird things happen to him that just kinda seemed to ruin him mentally this game. He got stripped a few times, got blocked, got called for a questionable offensive foul, and a few other things, and he just didn't seem mentally there
November 28th, 2019 at 5:13 PM ^
The confidence in this team is palpable. Juan is going a great job.
LFG
hail!
November 28th, 2019 at 6:04 PM ^
LOL, juan
November 28th, 2019 at 5:15 PM ^
Seems like a coach/team/system that 5*'s would want to play for.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:15 PM ^
Honestly, I'd rather have the 4 star/underrated 3 stars like we got than one and done 5 stars. Guys that are talented, team oriented, who will improve and provide the team with consistency and a framework for success for a couple years or three. A five star or two, sure they are exciting, and they will show greatness, but then are gone, leaving behind a big crater to fill. State went that way for a bit and it didn't do them much good. Heck, Duke hasn't sniffed a championship ever since they went that model; I think the Beilein way, and hopefully the Howard way is to recruit good players that will stay for at least two years and build a great team and continue a great tradition.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:46 PM ^
I agree, but I know a lot of people on this board who will disagree. I'm very happy with hunting for guys in that #80-#20 rankings range who are skilled, but aren't one and dones that are always gonna leave after one year. I want guys who are gonna stick around a few years, buy into the system, and contribute to the culture. Not saying we shouldn't go after 5*s, but I'm definitely more a fan of going after the Hunter Dickinsons, Zeb Jacksons, Moses Moodys, and Jabri Abdur Rahims of the recruiting world. If you don't have some guys who stick around, you end up with teams like Duke, Kentucky and UNC who CAN win championships, but can also lose to the Evansvilles and SF Austins of the world
November 28th, 2019 at 7:41 PM ^
Except our under the radar guys have been leaving after 1 or 2 yrs anyway.
November 28th, 2019 at 11:04 PM ^
I agree with that for the most part, but I wouldn't mind seeing us sprinkle in just 1 or maybe 2 top players as we go, too. Having that player who can take over a game would easily make this team scary good (if they aren't already!).
November 28th, 2019 at 6:24 PM ^
Agreed. This program will be a great step to the NBA. Players are going to line up at Juan’s door to be here for 1-3 years before turning pro.
November 28th, 2019 at 7:50 PM ^
And Juan will then send them to Juwan?
November 28th, 2019 at 5:19 PM ^
Are you sure about that box score? North Carolina scored three points on fast breaks, a team coached by Roy Williams. Doesn't that violate some known laws of the physical universe?
November 28th, 2019 at 5:21 PM ^
Great T-day win. Was a beat down until the officiating did an about face to bring UNC back into it. A ton of calls down the stretch were just horribly lopsided.
November 28th, 2019 at 5:26 PM ^
That's how to over come one sided officiating (and announcing fwiw) right there.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:16 PM ^
No kidding about the announcing, I thought we were on the ACC Network.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:47 PM ^
Dicky V just cheers for whatever blue blood is playing
November 28th, 2019 at 7:18 PM ^
I like Dicky V. He was sitting courtside yesterday with Roy Williams. Obviously, he has a good relationship with Williams. He is a legend, love or don't like, he is a college BB treasure. I like Bill Rafferty too.
November 28th, 2019 at 9:43 PM ^
Well that explains Dickie V’s cheerleading for NC during his unbiased color commentator role....
November 29th, 2019 at 10:21 AM ^
Rafferty is an amazing announcer. Possibly the best ever in any sport.
Vitale is just enthusiasm. And now he spends 90% of the game name dropping or talking about unrelated bs. Add the blatant UNC cheerleading, and he was completely unbearable yesterday.
Vitale and Rafferty should not be used in the same sentence unless it is to discuss the superiority of Rafferty over Vitale.
November 28th, 2019 at 5:40 PM ^
good to know the Brooks naysayers will finally disappear.
November 28th, 2019 at 5:41 PM ^
I can't believe what I saw today. How can they be this good already?
Furthermore, I was led to believe (cough, cough) that our best scoring option coming into the season is Wagner, and that he'd have to carry the offense for the most part... if anything, the rest of the team was carrying him. He doesn't look ready to play at this level yet. Yet.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:20 PM ^
I'm downright giddy! These guys are gellin' like Magellan! What they did to North Carolina, that kind of gellony should be a felony! Alright, I'll stop...
November 28th, 2019 at 5:51 PM ^
I definitely deserve to eat whip creamed cover poop - I had major doubts about his hire as well as my expectations for DDJ and EB - they both have produced at a high level and I am glad they have stuck my foot in my mouth. The team looks prepared, organized and confident. Go Blue!
November 28th, 2019 at 6:06 PM ^
I was not able to watch the game live today. I was so excited when I checked my phone and Michigan was up by 20+ in the 2nd half. I can't wait to get home later and watch it on the DVR. Let's take the whole damn thing tomorrow.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:08 PM ^
Ok, wow, this this JH hire starting to look like all time epic hire? Hype train is about ready to cast a statue. Coming in after a coach like Beilein is a tough tough act. Hiring a coach with no college, no full HC experience, no question it's throwing the dice & right now it's coming up pure 7's.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:20 PM ^
Plus really fun to watch this team play free wheeling basketball.
Contain the TOs and watch out world !
November 28th, 2019 at 6:33 PM ^
As impressed I am now, I have to remember that these are Beileins recruits, and he was an exceptional talent evaluator. Let's hope Howard's recruits continue like this.
November 28th, 2019 at 7:53 PM ^
Absolutely. As I was watching, I was equally impressed with the coaching (and not just Juwan, but the entire staff) and considering the fact that Beilein left a pretty full cupboard.
November 28th, 2019 at 6:09 PM ^
We finally get to play Gonzaga! To hell with Altman and Oregon.
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