Michigan 77, Prairie View 49
The inaugural Coaches Against Racism game, played at a neutral court in Washington, D.C., went off without a hitch from a basketball perspective, leaving plenty of time to talk about African American history, historically Black colleges and universities, and continuing issues of systemic racism.
The opponent was the best team in the SWAC last year; Prairie View A&M University, an HBCU, won the SWAC regular season last year but was upset in their conference championship game by Texas Southern, which went on to be Michigan’s first playoff opponent. This game felt a lot like that 1-seed versus 16-seed matchup, as Hunter Dickinson opened up an 8-0 Michigan lead in front of his hometown, Michigan partisan crowd, who got LOUD when he canned a buzzer three. He also dominated at the rim, with two put-backs off of missed foul shots, to the cheers of a definitely audible contingent of Dickinsonians. Their presence also may have an affected an early a hook and hold review that he might have gotten away with given the circumstances. Michigan only needed him for 23 minutes anyways. It was that kind of night.
With the lead established by the starting five, Juwan Howard tinkered again with his lineups, though it will be quite the coaching job to parse between performances when everybody was creating shots for each other. PG Devante’ Jones came in looking to put up assists to such a degree that I think his coaches told him he’s allowed to shoot. He returned after a few minutes of whispering with Howard Eisley to hit a stepback three, then took his next rebound coast to coast, and finished with a sweet lefty layup.
[Rest of the writeup, more photos and a box score after the jump]
He also seemed to be developing some chemistry with Dickinson, who drew a double in the post and fed Jones cutting to the rim for one of his patented floaters. While the timing of some of his drive and dishes to the big man is still a work in progress, the threat of that opens up so much room outside. After one week of early season goofiness, no doubt their 3PA/FGA mark will travel back towards the standard the Beileinites have come to expect. They finished 10/29 from range on mostly good looks.
Michigan might have given up the home game, but they found a home whistle like they never get at Crisler. Prairie View suffered a series of let’s say tight calls against them early in the second-half. Michigan hit the double bonus when Dickinson was fouled rebounding a missed free throw at the 17:23 mark. They hit the double+ before 12:00. Suffice to say that’s probably not going to be a regular occurrence.
Jones showed some of his “I guess I can just score for us” game from Coastal Carolina. [Sherman]
The Wolverines hardly played a perfect game, and various freshman had opportunities to introduce fans to their respective games. Caleb Houstan practiced his drives, which looked enticing for his size but also ended with a charge as often as a bucket. Moussa Diabate continued doing silly guard things, like guarding their point guard for most of a probing possession that ended on a shot clock violation. He also caught up to a turnover-induced transition for a thunderblock. Kobe Bufkin probably had the most improvement between the first and second game. Prairie View tried to isolate him when he entered the game and got a turnover for their efforts. They also thought they had him on a drive into the lane where he deftly maneuvered around for a slick layup. He also buried a three, blocked a shot, and looked every bit the kind of prospect who’s going to generate a lot of NBA interest in a few years. Frankie Collins looked incredible on defense, but was still forcing it a bit on the other end.
Houstan drives, like Houstan perimeter defense, are full of potential right now. [Sherman]
Of the vets, Brandon Johns had a passive first half, turning down a three to drive into traffic and dribbling away a putback. He flipped the switch to animal in the second half, generating turnovers, rebounds, and havoc; I like aggressive Johns. Terrance Williams II, also playing for a home crowd, brought the same energy that bailed out his flagging team last game, though in the context of this game that mostly meant rebounds and getting to the line. I know we frown upon +/- as a statistic but his +14 off the bench when you look at the rest of the team says something about his effect when he’ on the court. You could hear his contingent too. Adrian Nunez got a chunk of high-usage minutes in the first half as his teammates kept trying to set him up, but his best play was rescuing an errant pass at the baseline. Eli Brooks was his perfect self, easily the team MVP on both ends of the floor, with a cool 15 points on 9 shot equivalents.
Freak. [Sherman]
As befitting the feel of a first night of the playoffs game, making those free throws was an issue for the second game in a row. The team finished 17/32 from the line, and only part of that can explained by Jaren Faulds at the end. On a night when everybody who played got to the line except Caleb Houstan and Jace Howard, only Brooks didn’t miss one. Jones went 3/7 including a missed front end, and Dickinson shot 0/3.
Boxing out is going to be another area of focus, after Michigan allowed 12 offensive rebounds on 47 chances. They also brought in 17/37 of their own misses, most of those during Dickinson’s short time on the court, so that may too go in the freshman pile.
His young team, 2-0, now advances to a home match with #43 Seton Hall, a team that’s playing at more of a second round level, as the season slowly ramps up. What a weekend!
November 13th, 2021 at 10:52 PM ^
We have a football team that the basketball team can be proud of!
November 13th, 2021 at 11:08 PM ^
Hockey team doesn’t suck, either!
November 13th, 2021 at 11:20 PM ^
This post was lazy. Not your best work, but it's been a busy sports weekend.
November 13th, 2021 at 11:39 PM ^
This comment was ass-tastic. Not your best work, but it's been a busy masturbation weekend.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:39 AM ^
Name checks out
November 14th, 2021 at 9:09 AM ^
You are crazy as a loon.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:35 AM ^
I think we are going to be a work in progress for some time.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:51 AM ^
"they found a home whistle like they never get at Crisler."
One of those was a Jones push off where the defender got called. He pushes off a lot. I noticed it in the first game, too. This will bite him when BIG play starts. Especially in places like East Lansing.
November 14th, 2021 at 8:47 AM ^
If you are talking about the one that occurred in the second half, I don't think it was all that cut and dry. The defender came around a screen and initiated the contact. I can see that call going either way.
November 14th, 2021 at 5:28 PM ^
That's how I saw it too. The defender bumped into Jones and he instinctively pushed back with his left arm.
November 14th, 2021 at 1:04 AM ^
Mediocre PG play and poor FTs are the early issues. Hopefully the size and depth will easily overcome that.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:24 AM ^
Zeb Jackson not getting any minutes. Is he injured or getting a red shirt to save a year of eligibility for transfer?
Edit: NVM, looks like he some sort of illness
November 14th, 2021 at 2:18 PM ^
He's been sick. He warmed up for this game, but didn't play. Probably gonna be back this next game
November 14th, 2021 at 2:26 AM ^
I mean it was a nice game and really great cause... lots of good things.
The biggest issue after two games is at the FT line... after the Buffalo game, I wrote it off as first game jitters...
Shooting 53% at the FT line for the game is not what I was expecting after the Buffalo game.
Nothing else is super alarming, but a few things that need to be ironed out, especially at the FT line.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:48 AM ^
The coach is still tinkering with the lineups to find the best chemistry. This team will be smoking hot by B1G conference play.
November 14th, 2021 at 7:04 AM ^
Probably so. Shocked to see only 5 more non-conference games before the start of conference play. Fortunately, there seems to be enough raw talent that, even if they're totally in sync, they should be OK against Nebraska (12/7) and Minnesota (12/11).
November 14th, 2021 at 6:16 AM ^
It almost seemed like we treated this as an exhibition. Coach is playing a ton of guys and tinkering with lineups. The good part is we have loads of talent. We might drop a game early but we could be really really great by the end of the season. Diabate reminds me of Webber his Freshman year. He is just this physical freak. Should be a fun season.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:35 AM ^
Webber averaged 15.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game as a frosh.
Love Moussa, but he is not quite a C-Webb, not yet anyway.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:03 PM ^
Some of it is just how he looks. His hair reminds me of Webber at Country Day when Cwebb was a kid. Also, they were both freakishly athletic and run the floor like their life depended on it. I know we have had some amazing teams, but I'm not sure we have ever been this athletic.
November 14th, 2021 at 6:55 AM ^
Impressions (and overreactions) from a game decided early and which became more 'relaxed' in the second half:
- Free Throws, obviously. I thought they were worse in the second half, where it could have been focus related. Gonna be shooting them in practice...
- Houstan is really polished for a freshman. Love his quick release and smooth stroke. I was surprised to see he was only 3-8 beyond the arc.
- Jones looked a lot like Mike Smith in the first half of last season. Gears take a while to mesh.
- We are really lucky to have Eli 'The Professor' Brooks back this year. What a positive influence on herding the freshman kittens this year! Loved how easily the chemistry between him and Dickinson was reestablished.
- Diabate is as advertised. Can't wait until the game slows down for him.
- Bufkin was a revelation. He looked smooth like Houstan, but quicker. Didn't see a weak spot in his game, and he's just a freshman!
- They need this next game with Seton Hall to raise the stakes.
November 14th, 2021 at 7:36 AM ^
The team took care of business. They are very much a work in progress -- they aren't the early season death star like the team that conquered Atlantis or even last year's squad. They have lots of things to work on on both ends of the floor. They will get better.
The ball handling definitely isn't a good as last year. Devante isn't as quick as Mike Smith and so far has been a little shaky against any kind of pressure on the ball. It's encouraging that Houstan seems to have a pretty decent handle, he can be the relief valve a la Livers as he gets more comfortable.
Definitely agree with Seth that Devante was probably told to get some of his own shots up. He needs to be a factor.
Effort seems decent on rebounding, but the positioning and communication isn't there yet. I expect to see lots of improvement before January.
Lots to like about this team and it will be fun to watch them grow.
November 14th, 2021 at 7:43 AM ^
The BPONE that gets thrown around here is pathetically humorous. Folks seem to feel they are obliged to criticize-whether they understand anything about the game or not. In particular, Jones is, many times over, better than Simpson and Smith combined-yet here folks are...nit-picking to beat the band. Juwan and his staff are seeing what they need to see to get geared up for the meat of this season. Look at who received the top 8 amount of playing time in this game and be informed.
Jones, Brooks and Dickinson are going to be at the center of this team's performance. Houstan is going to be one hell of a player-the breadth of his skills are already stunning. And, Diabate and Bufkin are not far behind. (I'm not sure how you keep Moussa off the floor-seems as though he will, at least, end up with 10 minutes relieving Dickinson and 15 minutes at the 4.) Watch these newcomers play and sit back and smile. Juwan has a group that is going to be sizzling hot by mid-season.
November 14th, 2021 at 8:12 AM ^
To all the people who are clutching their pearls over FT shooting, the data on this is ... mixed:
https://www.thespax.com/nba/do-nba-players-improve-at-shooting-free-throws/
(I realize that we won't be helped by Diabate shooting 80% six years from now, but I thought it was an interesting read.)
November 14th, 2021 at 8:23 AM ^
Michigan hit the double bonus when Dickinson was fouled rebounding a missed free throw at the 17:23 mark. They hit the double+ before 12:00.
The what?
November 14th, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
Thats a typo. They were in the bonus (1 and 1) at 1723 and then double bonus at 12
November 15th, 2021 at 9:12 AM ^
Thanks. I literally researched for 10 minutes thinking there had to be some rule change and there was now something that happened at 15+ fouls (or some number) I hadn't heard about because I got very downvoted right off bat over this comment.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:18 AM ^
Oh well
November 14th, 2021 at 10:52 AM ^
Really...
November 14th, 2021 at 11:07 AM ^
Yeah, maybe all the white guys should have just sat this one out. Because that will fix racism.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:37 AM ^
Oh good grief Charlie Brown.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:07 AM ^
Even in this kinda game, I get frustrated... perturbed even, to see Adrien Nunez getting on the court & firing away. Pretty confident in my thinking he will not be a big factor in our on court success. Would much rather the freshman get those opportunities, however many minutes he got (I believe it was a 5 minute run) to get their feet wet... Kobe would be better served imho...
But I'll ride with coach Howard...
November 14th, 2021 at 11:58 AM ^
I think coach is giving him a shot. I think he is seeing what he needs to see. Nunez looks like a walk on in most of his time on the court. This is what these games are for. Bufkin looked awesome. Brandon Johns Jr. still looks a little lost out there.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:53 PM ^
I really like Johns and was disappointed that he seemed to have reverted to his earlier self this game (hesitancy, turnovers). I hope this was just a temporary relapse. He has a lot of potential and can be a valuable piece this year.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:34 PM ^
Nunez is a puzzler. He has not to this point in his career played well enough to be a contributor. I was very surprised he did not transfer (though there are good non-athletic reasons to stay put). I'm guessing two things are at play here: he does really well in practices, and he is well liked by his teammates. I think the latter is true by observing how positively they have reacted to him since he has been at Michigan.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:22 PM ^
I wanted Nunez to transfer 15 minutes into his freshman season, and was repeatedly baffled when he played over Bajema (who did in fact transfer) among others- BUT...
I have accepted that he has a value to the team that fans cannot know, only guess at. Great teammate, social media presence, other non-boxscore related contributions.
And we just have to assume he hits those shots in practice, and has been for 3 years now. I mean.....?♂️
November 14th, 2021 at 2:16 PM ^
Liked what I saw from the freshmen, but still finding it hard to get a read on some players due to the weird rotations and lineups. I think Jones and Williams will be good, but it's still hard to get a read on their play
November 14th, 2021 at 2:44 PM ^
worried about foul shooting
November 14th, 2021 at 2:53 PM ^
Well if Hunter Dickinson keeps shooting 100% from three he’s going to be awfully hard to stop.
November 14th, 2021 at 5:40 PM ^
On the flip side, he can only do worse going forward.
November 14th, 2021 at 3:37 PM ^
1.Johns is still just a bench guy you use to eat up minutes.....2.Bufkin is a 'gamer' just like T.Will was last year...3.When 30% or more of Michigan's FGA's are three's they commit a high number of turnovers.Last night 29 three attempts,26 two attempts.20 turnovers.
November 14th, 2021 at 5:47 PM ^
So far, so good!
I'm pleased with Jones so far. He looks good in leading the offense, shooting, playing defense, assisting, and general energy and creativity.
The only weakness so far (other than FT shooting which will inevitably revert to the mean) was the defense on Jeenathan Williams of Buffalo, and Terrance Williams took care of that for us.
I was disappointed not to see Barnes and Tschetter. I assume they'll be redshirting which seems old fashioned but is probably good this year. Otherwise we might look like the Spartans with 12 players in the rotation which is too many. There will be more room for Barnes and Tschetter to get in the rotation next year, and I assume the coach will give them the opportunity. No need for these guys to redshirt, but the flexibility down the road may come in handy.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:39 PM ^
The most important things about this trip
was the team flying to DC safely and visiting the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Maybe there’s a little truth left in the phrase ‘student-athlete’.
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