Michigan 85, Long Beach State 61 Comment Count

Ace



File, obviously.

Michigan jumped out to a 7-0 lead against an overmatched Long Beach State squad and, despite allowing the 49ers to hang around for much of the game, never really allowed it to be much of a contest, pulling away late for the critical KenPom cover. The Wolverines repeatedly exploited LBSU's attempts to play zone, shooting 14/30 from downtown; Nik Stauskas (24 points, 4/6 three-pointers) and Caris LeVert (20, 4/7) led the way offensively. Michigan will face the winner of tonight's game between VCU and Florida State (7:30 p.m. EST, ESPNU) tomorrow at 5 p.m. EST.

A few scattered thoughts from a 24-point win over a pretty bad team:

  • At this point, there's no question who the go-to guy is on this team: Stauskas, the only player who can consistently create his own shot inside and outside the arc. He didn't just knock down spot-up jumpers; he had a nice step-back three with a man in his face, hit three of his four two-pointers, and repeatedly got to the free-throw line (6/8).
  • LeVert obviously played a big role in this win, too, and he did it mostly by working his way into the middle of the LBSU zone and becoming a triple-threat: from there, he could pull up for a short jumper, continue working to the basket, or dish it to an open shooter. He finished 8/13 from the field with four assists and no turnovers, facilitating the offense as well as anybody on the floor. His ballhandling/passing could be the key in a potential matchup with VCU, since...
  • Derrick Walton had a very up-and-down game. He knocked down 3/7 three-pointers, but missed all four of his two-point shots—IIRC, all on drives to the hoop in which he either anticipated contact or had his shot blocked. Spike Albrecht did a better job getting the offense going, and the team may need his steady hand at the point tomorrow if they're facing the HAVOC press of VCU. Walton did rebound very well, leading the team with seven boards; he had some issues defensively, however, especially contesting shots after switches—a better team would've capitalized more on some wide-open looks.
  • Mitch McGary didn't have to do too much in this one; when he was out there, though, he made a major impact, hitting all three of his shots—including a flying one-handed putback off a miss by Glenn Robinson III—and pulling in four rebounds. It's pretty clear he's still working his way into game shape, but despite the back injury he's still starting from a better place than he was last year.
  • Two major areas for concern from this game: Michigan did a very poor job of boxing out on defense, even though LBSU didn't always take advantage, and they still have a lot of work to do on their transition defense. These are little issues against bad teams that become very big issues against good ones.
  • Wanderin' Jon Horford missed a three-pointer off the backboard in the first half. I thought you should know this, especially since he's making a bit of a habit of it. He also beat a 2-3 with a slick cut behind the back line of the defense for an open 8-footer from the baseline. More of the latter, less of the former, please.

The three different stat-trackers I tried during the game (SCACCHoops, CBSSports, ESPN) all have slightly different numbers, at least when it comes to offensive rebounds and minutes played. ESPN has the most readable box score, so I'll link that if you'd like to peruse more stats from the game.

Comments

San Diego Mick

November 21st, 2013 at 7:52 PM ^

I was also concerned with the lack of boxing out and Walton needs to play smarter, he's a frosh so he has some leeway right now, but he definitely needs to be better by the time conference  games start.

Irvin looks like he will be a good contributor too, I'm loving Nik and Caris' games, it looks like they will be the leading scorers on the team with Mitch & GRIII right behind them. Glenn still has some work to do offensively, it's almost as if he's not sure what to do with the ball when he gets it, I hope he is more aggressive this year, otherwise I really think another year of college wouldn't hurt him.

Salinger

November 22nd, 2013 at 8:59 AM ^

Full disclosure, I only saw the 2nd half of the game. Having said that, I was pretty unimpressed with GRIII. He still doesn't seem to be able to create his own shot. For a guy who has been so highly touted, why doesn't he put the ball on the floor and create his own shot? 

Perhaps there were moments of that that I missed in the 1st half, but for the most part I felt like he was a non-factor when he was on the floor. 

Shop Smart Sho…

November 21st, 2013 at 8:42 PM ^

"The three different stat-trackers I tried during the game"

What the hell man?  Tell Brian to stop being so cheap and send you to the games.  This would have been a good one for you to go to.  One plan ticket has you seeing two games.

Let me guess, he blew the travel budget on giant tube costumes for the staff?

robmorren2

November 21st, 2013 at 8:44 PM ^

I think LeVert and Stauskas are sharing time as "lead dog". Stauskas isn't as good at breaking down defenses as Caris (IMO). Caris is more Burke and Stauskas is more Hardaway, in terms of their abilities within this offense.

WolverineInCbus

November 21st, 2013 at 10:11 PM ^

Not gonna lie. Horford really pissed me off tonight. The fact that he is even thinking about taking a three that early in the game is mind boggling. He shouldn't even be looking at the basket from that far out nonetheless shooting it....

iawolve

November 21st, 2013 at 11:07 PM ^

Regardless of how many he makes in practice, we have many other shooters to take that shot. Cut to the basket. At times it seemed like we were out there trying some things. Max shot from distance late in the game. I will give him a pass now, do it against a real team I would feel different.

Prince Lover

November 22nd, 2013 at 12:08 AM ^

But they have a lot to work on before B1G season starts, or before they play at Cameron. And I do agree with SD Mick, GRIII might just need more time before going to the Association.

umumum

November 22nd, 2013 at 1:03 AM ^

And he will be a first round pick.  The NBA sees his potential--and most NBA teams believe players like GRIII will improve/prosper more with them than another year of college.  Remember there were many on this Board who insisted Timmy wasn't ready and would be playing in the D league if he turned pro. 

I expect we will see real improvement from Glenn as the season progresses.  Given the amount of minutes he got last year and this year, Beilein obviously appreciates not only his upside but expects alot now.  And, then again, some players just end up better pros than college players--much like Rudy Gay, who I believe Glenn compares (favorably) to,

AriGold

November 22nd, 2013 at 8:11 AM ^

about this game: LeVert and GRIII

Now before all of the sheep on the board get upset, let me explain:

LeVert had a lot of mistakes in the first half: forced shots, getting burned on D, shaky dribbling and a few forced/dumb passes...He has looked good against bad teams, but against the likes of ISU and other good teams Mich played (last year) he played terrible/scared and I am worried about his ability to play good against the good teams...As for GRIII, I have yet to see him really create his own shot, he obviously has a ton of potential, but he almost always needs someone to setup his shots/dunks and that worries me a bit considering he is a consesus lottery pick...I have no doubt that GRIII will progress as the year continues, but I am not so sure about LeVert...Caris is a great defender and causes a lot of problems for guards with his length, but he has yet to impress me on the offensive end of the floor against a top 25 team

Mr. Yost

November 22nd, 2013 at 8:11 AM ^

The ugliest 24 point win in the history of college basketball.

I'm not going all "off the defense." But I almost thought we looked better versus ISU.

Right now we're trading execution for gained experience and it shows. Walton should never play more than 4-5 minutes at a time at this point because we lose ALL chemistry and flow when he's in the game.

At this point, Aaron Craft is going to eat out LUNCH unless we can execute on a consistent basis.

ijohnb

November 22nd, 2013 at 8:15 AM ^

Mitch is not 100%, but he needs to become more aggressive in terms of getting himself into the offense and putting himself in positions to affect the game offensively.  Dakich hightlighted one instance in which Mitch was free a couple of times on one play, but more often than not he occupies himself so much with screening to free other players up that he gets a little bogged down in terms of his ability to create and score.  I really think McGary has some serious game, in the sense that he could face people up and challenge the rim, going to his left especially.  He has a really unique knack for getting the ball in the basket from seemingly difficult positions, the ball just finds the basket once it is in his hands.  Once he gets the confidence and puts himself in the right positions, he is going to be an absolute nightmare for opponents on the left block and around the free throw line.  I see a couple of 20 and 20 nights for Mitch this season.  Trust yourself Mitch, you are that good.

AriGold

November 22nd, 2013 at 8:55 AM ^

in order for Mitch to succeed (or any of our bigs) that would require them getting more than 10 minutes of playing time...but for some reason Beilein doesn't like to play bigs unless he is forced to do so

ijohnb

November 22nd, 2013 at 10:29 AM ^

Hear you but Morgan is a walking disaster right now. I wanted him to play a big role this year but immediately when he enters the game bad things happen. I hope he can get some confidence back but it ain't lookin good.

In reply to by ijohnb

AriGold

November 22nd, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^

but Horford has done pretty decent, however as soon as he makes one or two minor mistakes Beilein pulls him and goes with 3 guards which is silly...let Horford develop, we will need him badly nexty year to be a dominant force down low after Mitch goes pro