Michigan 78, Texas 72
[File photo: Eric Upchurch]
Caris LeVert's 11 first-half points were easy to overlook during a spectacular Michigan barrage that featured 11 three-pointers.
When the barrage abated, and a persistent Texas squad nearly knottedd up the score, LeVert's eight second-half points kept the Wolverines out in front. Tasked with taking control of the offense with the Longhorns giving chace, LeVert snaked through defenders to find all manner of ways to create a layup.
The supporting cast is still setting into shape; it did just enough tonight. Duncan Robinson hit 4/5 three-pointers. Zak Irvin went 5/8 for 13 points. Derrick Walton stuffed the stat sheet (13-5-7) and drew a pivotal charge on Isaiah Taylor down the stretch. Moe Wagner looked like he may quickly become the team's best center, putting up six and four in the first half before foul trouble limited him in the second.
The team defense still wasn't good. Texas had plenty of chances to make this a real game but an 8/19 mark from the free-throw line made up the difference and then some. Big man Cameron Ridley was perfect from the field but only took five shots in 28 minutes; not to sound like Seth Davis calling a Michigan game, but he could've used a few more post touches.
Michigan is going to get in some shootouts this year. They're ready for them on one end. On the other, we'll have to wait and see.
Anyway...
Brian's preview is here. Go Blue.
November 27th, 2015 at 9:21 PM ^
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November 27th, 2015 at 9:22 PM ^
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November 27th, 2015 at 9:34 PM ^
From what I saw they did look good. Certainly looked the best they have so far. Here's hoping Wagner can solve our issues at the 5, he may not be very big but he's lanky and quite intelligent.
November 27th, 2015 at 9:23 PM ^
He looked great this game. Sure it is one game, and it may just be a fluke, but holy crap he looked like a seasoned vet. Great shooter, great ball fakes, great passing.
More plz!
November 27th, 2015 at 11:28 PM ^
November 28th, 2015 at 6:26 AM ^
I thought Zak was going to hurt himself celebrating when he finally got a three to fall. It was great to see the look he had on his face. Maybe the three point gods will finally start being nice to him.
November 27th, 2015 at 9:35 PM ^
November 27th, 2015 at 9:37 PM ^
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November 27th, 2015 at 9:56 PM ^
A side note- the officiating seemed to get worse as the game wore on. Not saying it was terrible but they clearly missed a travel and a double dribble on Texas. They were probably too focused on who was going to touch another player for a foul call. Which brings me to another point in that the way they're calling games this year I think the deepest teams will be the ones who survive the tournament. I mean that's usually the case for most years anyhow but now it really hurts a team from say a mid major who operates around a key player mainly a post guy. Fouls galore!
November 27th, 2015 at 10:22 PM ^
I like Doyle's size, but he has brick hands when he's near the basket. I would love to see Wagner start but I'm betting that won't happen until we're half way through the Big Ten schedule.
I can't offer an opinion on the officiating because I no longer know that constitutes a foul. So, in the words of Jim Harbaugh, I capitulate. I'm crying Uncle, throwing in the towel, and tapping out when it comes to foul calls.
Go Blue!!!
November 27th, 2015 at 9:58 PM ^
November 27th, 2015 at 10:17 PM ^
I liked what I saw from Wilson but I don't know what's going on with Chatman. I'm beginning to think that either his game is not a good match for the Beilein offense or for college basketball in general. I choose the former. I think he can play but this is not a good match. I feel bad for him because I think he chose the wrong school.
I agree with you regarding Levert, Irvin, Walton, Robinson, and Wagner. Glad to see Levert taking over the game when he has to. I love his aggressiveness. Also glad to see Walton being more aggressive offensively. And Irvin seems to be regaining his form with both the dribble drive and the threes. Robinson and Wagner have both demonstrated to me that they have high basketball IQ's.
Did you notice that when Wagner is at the elbow or free throw line, when he receives a pass he pivots towards the hoop before passing the ball? The defense has to react to that. I wish our other bigs could do that, even if they aren't going to shoot or drive.
Go Blue!!!
November 27th, 2015 at 10:33 PM ^
RE: Chatman....When he signed, wasnt it talked about how he would be a great fit for Beilein's offense? An athletic, lefty who could pass and shoot?
Is it still a question of him not understanding the offense more than just the fit? If I remember correctly, he came from a pretty small school and kinda dominated based on size/athleticsm. Maybe it's still just taking him a long time to feel comfortable. I guess we can hope that eventually the lightswitch clicks on.
November 28th, 2015 at 5:14 AM ^
November 27th, 2015 at 10:04 PM ^
What's wrong with me? Why am I applauding every rebound? Why does Moritz Wagner remind me of Mitch McGary? Why do I no longer understand what a foul is? And why, after listening to these announcers for 3 nights in a row, do I not like them?
Go Blue!!!!
November 27th, 2015 at 10:12 PM ^
November 27th, 2015 at 10:09 PM ^
November 27th, 2015 at 10:14 PM ^
It's still a team with some rough edges, but I was encouraged by the shooting and the overall effort. Wagner probably won't hold up against the bruisers in the conference, but right now he seems like a solid Beilein big on the offensive end and you hope Doyle or Wilson can provide a change-of-pace.
It isn't a top-4 seed team, but this is a unit that should compete for an NCAA bid and doesn't look that far behind teams like Purdue and IU. And maybe it's just me, but MSU feels like a team that will come back to the pack a bit. N.C. State will be a nice match-up next to see if the improvements seen in the shooting and overall team play are due to opponent or just the rust being knocked off after a couple early-season struggles.
November 27th, 2015 at 11:09 PM ^
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November 30th, 2015 at 6:41 PM ^
It's just better, better in the Bahamas.
November 27th, 2015 at 11:12 PM ^
I was there at the Game when Kolesar caught that Harbaugh bomb, It went right towards us in the student section. I will never forget that moment. we watched the ball up in the air, man it went so high in the air. Then you watched Kolesar who i loved running down the sideline then you realiized he was running under the ball and was going to catch it in stride, It was perfect and instinctually you knew it was a touchdown. We just started jumping up and down and screaming. it won the game, it salted it away. and we lost our voices in all the screaming Such a moment of jubiliation. i could watch that moment forever! Go Blue!!
November 27th, 2015 at 11:37 PM ^
November 27th, 2015 at 11:35 PM ^
i know its just game 6, but after letting two chances at a quality win go with Xavier and UConn, I think this is a win that will help come tourney time. Sure a Good Big Ten record would really help like 10-8, and wins over NC State and SMU would help, but you need games like this, I do not know what Texas's RPI will be at seasons end, but maybe 50-60? hopefully in the 40s!!
we need to make the Tournament and a winning conference record is a must and this will help. Lets see how we do in Raleigh
Looking ahead its amazing to me we do not have to go to Indiana or to Breslin this year!! they both come to Crisler, we do have two games with Maryland and with Iowa. we have to go to Wisconsin without hosting them. I think the home games with Inidana and State are huge, we need to win at least one of them to go 10-8, both of them would be huge. the trips to Madison to College Park and to Iowa City will be super hard this year.
November 27th, 2015 at 11:48 PM ^
OH HELL YES GO BLUE!
November 28th, 2015 at 7:01 AM ^
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November 28th, 2015 at 8:10 AM ^
Anybody have a link to a torrent of this game for those of us without AXS TV? MGoVideo only has highlights.
November 28th, 2015 at 9:27 PM ^
The Connecticut game is the game that has truly changed the way Mich is handling things offensively. Few and far between times are the guards and wings taking 2 or 3 dribbles and forcing shots. LaVert is the only player that still does that, but yesterday he made some tough shots when he did. The only time he should do that is when the shot clock has less than 5 seconds on it. He still has improved with that facet of the game since UConn. He is capable to drive and kick every possession. The kick doesn't always lead to an open shot, yet important to keep the ball moving.
Who is Belein going to be in the rotation? It's obvious that Walton, LaVert, Doyle, Irvin, Dawkins, Wagner, Abdur-Rahkman, and Robinson. Will Wilson, Donnal and Chatman see any time come Big 10 time or even NC State/SMU? At this point, it looks like foul trouble may be the only calling for them to get into the game.
Also, what is the status of Spike? Should he come back at full strength will he just replace Abdur-Rahkman? Abdur has improved and has done a decent job holding his own, but the way Spike sees the floor is about as good as it gets. Despite his size, he uses his intelligence defensively. By no means is he a stopper defensively, but he holds his own and I would label him as an average defender. I don't see Abdur Rahkman's D being significantly better.
Officiating. While there were some easy missed calls yesterday, the referees let both teams play the most compared to the UConn and Xavier games. The biggest things with referees is to keep things consistent. If you are going to call bs touch fouls, keep it that way the entire game.
Michigan is not going to put up 100 points again, but that have so many weapons to score. The biggest question mark is defense. They have the speed on the perimeter, but with bruisers like Xavier had, they have there hands full. To stop teams like that, they have to put some pressure on the perimeter and crash the boards. I admire the way Walton crashes the boards and gets up to get some rebounds.
Go Blue! Beat the Wolfpack!
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