Michigan 78, Illinois 68 Comment Count

Ace

I...

...well...

...um...

...so. If you missed this game, you may have a hard time believing this recap, so I want to preface this by saying I triple-checked for typos and splashed cold water on my face: Mark Donnal led Michigan to a road conference win by scoring 26 points on 11/15 FG with nine rebounds (six offense), three blocks, and two steals.

Yes, really.

While Illinois is not a good team up front, Donnal looked like a player transformed. He ran the high screen beautifully, finished strong at the hoop, stepped out to drill a triple, pulled down rebounds with authority, protected the rim, and did it all with more confidence than he's ever shown in a Michigan uniform. Perhaps it's an anomaly. Perhaps it's a turning point. For today, if nothing else, it was a whole lot of fun to watch.

In a more expected development, Caris LeVert also had one of his more impressive games, beating Illini defenders off the dribble all afternoon on his way to 22 points (9/16 FG) and ten assists, several of them to Donnal at the rim.

No other Wolverine made more than three shots from the field; Derrick Walton scored nine, Duncan Robinson and Zak Irvin had eight apiece. Michigan pulled away in the second half by riding the LeVert/Donnal two-man game until Illinois showed they could stop it; the Illini never did. After a hot start to the game from beyond the arc the Illini couldn't keep pace, and Zak Irvin did yeoman's work on the defensive end guarding Malcolm Hill, who needed 13 shot equivalents to score 11 points, seven below his season average.

In a most unpredictable fashion, Michigan opened Big Ten play with a road win. Penn State comes to town on Saturday, giving Donnal a golden opportunity to show today wasn't a fluke. If it was, the reality check may come next Thursday, when the team travels to Purdue to face Isaac Haas and AJ Hammons.

Until the time comes, though, I'll work on finding words to describe... that.

Comments

Trader Jack

December 30th, 2015 at 5:23 PM ^

He's obviously not going to put up 26/9/3 every game, but if Donnal can play decent-to-well in conference play the outlook on what can be accomplished this season changes significantly.




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Tater

December 30th, 2015 at 7:37 PM ^

Donnal is a perfect example of why I detest people naming names when anticipating attrition.  A few people speculated on his future status on various sites earlier this season when it wasn't going great for him.  I hope he doesn't give a fuck what fans think, but if he does, I hope he enjoys shoving a game like this up their asses.

Yes: I feel that strongly about it...

 

 

wahooverine

December 30th, 2015 at 11:19 PM ^

Fair enough, it's one game though. Observed evidence says this is more likely a fluke than some weird mental switch being hit and he's all of a sudden a confident, effective good player from here on out.  Let's see how he does when Big 10 coaches gameplan for him before crowning him.  Guessing Groce didn't spend too much time stressing over how to stop Donnall before this game.

snarling wolverine

December 31st, 2015 at 1:26 AM ^

This is his second year playing.  It's not unthinkable that he could have turned a corner, especially given Beilein's track record of player improvement.  At the very least, this should be a huge confidence boost for him.

But anyway, if opposing coaches actually have to start gameplanning to stop him, that would be big for our offense.   Just a token threat down there, to lead to more doubling the post and cause defenders to think twice about leaving him to rotate to the perimeter, could mean more open looks for other guys.

MChem83

December 31st, 2015 at 7:39 AM ^

against Bucknell, where he scored more points than he had the entire season before.  Everyone was hoping that he had finally broken out, but he really hadn't.  He didn't hit double digits again for a long time.   Until and unless we see this a few more times from Donnal, the odds are that this is just a glitch and not him really emerging as a player.

Steve333

December 30th, 2015 at 5:27 PM ^

Great team win, but also Donnal- indescribable! Ace- you wrote that this was a non-conference win? I thought this was an official B1G opener.




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Lanknows

December 30th, 2015 at 6:12 PM ^

Max Bielfeldt evolved from unplayable 6'6 C to (multi-program!) legitimate B1G player. 

Jon Horford evolved from a skinny scrub to one of the best defensive rebounders in the country. 

Sometimes development takes a few years.

Matching up with Kentucky-caliber bigs up front probably ain't happening but if we can just get competancy out of the 5 spot that's a major improvement.

Bodogblog

December 30th, 2015 at 9:39 PM ^

After today, it's possible to see what Beilein might have seen in Donnal when he let Bielfeldt walk. Maybe to give him room to grow and take the job. But with an available scholly I don't fully understand it either.

jakerblue

December 31st, 2015 at 10:33 AM ^

I think they let him go because there was a legitamite shot at Jaylen Brown.  It was a courtesy to Max to not string him along until he gets left out if Brown had decided to come to UM and there was no more room for Max at one of his top choices.

I also think there were a couple other 2016 guys they were giving a look at that time.

And with 3/4 bigs on the roster this year, and Doyle playing pretty well last year, it probably didn't seem a necessity.

bluinohio

December 30th, 2015 at 11:51 PM ^

desmond morgan, not jordan morgan.  i mentioned it was from what Brian talks about on the podcast.  when is the last time you think jordan morgan was mentioned on the podcast?  if you have no clue then quit with your snarky bullshit and grow up.  it was just a comment, good lord.  i think YOU need to chill out.  why are you so easily offended?

Lanknows

December 30th, 2015 at 6:40 PM ^

I think Brian would admit he's more of a hockey and football guy, which is why he has Ace leading the bball beat.

It was a head-scratcher when Brian and Ace dismissed Doyle's horrible rebounding rate as a non-issue.  Still, he remains the #1 candidate for playing time against legit front courts.  Donnal's game will get him minutes but we need to see it against better competition to believe it.  Wagner had a nice game too.  Purdue next week will tell us a lot more.

champswest

December 30th, 2015 at 7:37 PM ^

we will learn against Purdue. They have perhaps the best front court in the NCAA. We certainly won't dominate them (nor will anyone else) and will be lucky to compete. Hopefully, we can keep from being dominated.

AlwaysBlue

December 30th, 2015 at 5:46 PM ^

that Beilein told MD that there is a reason he was offered a scholarship and that he can play at this level. He's hinted at similar things in the past. Then there are player comments when Morgan was a senior. They said he'd be ready.

Maybe, just maybe, a good deal of his previous play was hurt by his lack of confidence or fear. He's looked worse against less than what he saw today.

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

December 30th, 2015 at 5:48 PM ^

Donnal has talent and a beautiful stroke.   I mentioned in the Bryant thread that he was starting to do some of those extra plays (tap out rebounds, finish around the rim).

I have been critical of him,  but I am quick to offer him praise when deserves it.

Well done young man.

Mannix

December 30th, 2015 at 5:49 PM ^

Donnal was every bit fantastic as the superlatives note. Assertive and aggressive.

Someone posted one of the threads that JB had Donnal sandbag through the NC schedule. It almost looks as if that were the case. Almost.

At any rate, a huge bonus.




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Michiganuh

December 30th, 2015 at 5:51 PM ^

Mad Dog

Mark of the Beast Mode

MarkDown

M-Don

Does this guy even have a nickname? If not, he needs one, and if he does, he probably needs a new one.

Awesome job, MD, keep it up!

Wolverine In Iowa 68

December 30th, 2015 at 5:52 PM ^

Missed the game dealing with a sick child, but WOW....I'm hoping this is a turning point and not a fluke.  Sounds like a couple of players are finally hitting their stride and this looks to be the start of good things.