Ohio State 76, Michigan 66
Yeah, OK, that's a problem. ESPN doesn't get it sometimes. pic.twitter.com/7U1En2iCjn
— Tony Paul (@TonyPaul1984) February 17, 2016
Michigan lost to Ohio State in basketball tonight. ESPN said so. It must be true.
ESPN, forgetting that cameras, unlike humans, are equipped with a zoom function, decided to show us the entire game from the floor. It's an understatement to say the experiment failed. I'm mostly incapable of telling you what went on. If you attended the game, feel free to help us out in the comments.
Did this shot go in? I HAVE NO IDEA pic.twitter.com/62uLqsW0Ui
— Sarah (@sarbucks) February 17, 2016
Ohio State was able to get inside on Michigan. That much I can tell you because the Buckeyes were obscured by other players, not the officials. The box score tells me they had 38 points in the paint. JaeSean Tate led the way with 13 points and made 6/8 two-pointers; center Trevor Thompson, not normally a major factor on offense, had 12 on 6/7 FGs.
Michigan had a difficult time doing the same. I know this because the Wolverines were obscured by the officials, not other players. Unless, of course, they were on the far side of the court, and then they were obscured by everyone. The box score tells me they were 5/24 on three-pointers. Zak Irvin, Duncan Robinson, and Derrick Walton were a combined 4/18 from beyond the arc. The only consistent performer on offense was Mark Donnal (17 points, 6/10 FG, 5/7 FT, 7 REB), who still relied on the rare successful foray to the hoop by a Wolverine to attain most of his points.
Moments like this really make my flatscreen HD TV worth it. https://t.co/345ip2TXTU
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) February 17, 2016
What not even ESPN's Worst Idea Since Jason Whitlock could obscure was how much better Ohio State's offense functioned than Michigan's, and also how poor the Wolverines performed on defense. When the Buckeyes weren't bulling their way into the paint, they were breaking open off curl-cuts for easy jumpers. Michigan never got in a rhythm, couldn't get all the way to the basket, and didn't find ways to get their shooters open.
Believe it or not, I just ran into one of ESPN camerawomen in the bathroom. She said that she can't pan without hitting anyone...
— Kelly Hall (@KellyHall20) February 17, 2016
Michigan missed their best chance to pull an upset and all but secure an NCAA Tournament bid. They'll get another shot on Sunday at Maryland. Even from butt-level, it's apparent the Wolverines will have to raise their level of play substantially this weekend.
February 16th, 2016 at 10:45 PM ^
really. Donnal can only dunk when he is completely uncontested. Otherwise, he is not very good around the basket.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:22 PM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 9:31 AM ^
Never thought I would think that a game would be better off on BTN....
February 16th, 2016 at 9:22 PM ^
This felt a lot like last year's football game at Rutgers. We made a really bad team look REALLY good and REALLY happy.
This was OSU's worst team since their last place finish in the B1G in 1998. Still couldn't get a win. That fact is as sickening as that stupid ESPN camera angle.
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February 16th, 2016 at 9:27 PM ^
Let's not forget this was essentially a must-win game for OSU's tourney chances. And they were at home.
Put it behind us and move on.
February 16th, 2016 at 10:58 PM ^
I grow weary of that thinking because they do indeed put it behind them, but they do not move on. They don't grow from their bad performances and make adjustments so it doesn't happen again. I really love Coach B. He's a class guy. But so is my dad...
February 17th, 2016 at 7:57 AM ^
Beilein drew up at least 2 plays that got Robinson open looks. Robinson missed. He hits either of those shots and Michigan has a chance to pull off a road upset in conference. And nobody wins on the road in the B10
February 17th, 2016 at 8:05 AM ^
What's not to get? Beilein's teams don't play defense, don't rebound, have next to no interior presence. Ohio State is a horrible offensive team, yet they averaged 1.14 points per possession against us with an eFG% of 59. I seriously wonder if he even teaches defense in practice as so many of the players display horrible fundamentals. For all his supposed offensive genius, the offense doesn't work when the 3's aren't falling (as they haven't been for the past several weeks). Sure, he had the best offense 2 years in a row, those also happened to be the 2 years that his team was littered with future NBA players (go figure). His recruiting is average and has been declining ever since that great 2012 class.
February 17th, 2016 at 8:53 AM ^
The shots aren't falling because we aren't creating good looks. Teams have shut down the drive the baseline and kick to the corner and we have made 0 adjustments to counter. Our best pure shooter, Duncan, fails to exert effort to get open and then just stands there like a sad puppy. Our best guy at taking people off the dribble and potentially creating open looks, MAAR, is the best at finishing around the basket so he doesn't get any assists. The ball doesn't move around AT ALL. What happened to the pick and roll that has shown flashes of being incredibly efficient? Not even worth discussing defense because this team doesn't play any.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^
Thank you. That's actually my #1 criticism of Beilein. The desperation move to 1-3-1 or 2-3 to create a turnover (though, they did run 2-3 decently a couple years ago).
What I'm tired of is people bitching about effort. Like the post above, someone saying Duncan Robinson isn't putting in any effort to get open. Come on. If a team wants to shut down a shooter, it is actually incredibly easy. You then have to make them pay for that player not playing any help defense, but Michigan can't right now because they don't have anyone that can create. This is where LeVert missing is huge.
But, nobody acknowledges any of that or, more likely, really understands it. They just see the team lose and yell about effort. It's such a low-brow discussion.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:24 PM ^
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February 16th, 2016 at 9:24 PM ^
Is it because Beilein just shits on them in practice and so they don't look like they have energy in games? This is the next game in a line-up of many, say all (save Texas and Maryland), in which we didn't come to play. OSU is a GARBAGE team. They are terrible. We almost beat them and we played like that, holy crap. However, we are also garbage on almost every night we play. Is Beilein lying when he says everyone can hit shots in practice but not in games? They look like they don't know what a basketball is. I hate Aubrey Dawkins, he sucks.
IS DEFENSE THAT HARD? If you're going to be one-sided at least make that one-sided thing work. I could care less about defense if we had a good offense but we seriously have neither. Our lack of a player who can drive to the hoop is startling. No one can. Walton can't, Irvin can't, RAHK couldn't this game. What is with this team? Its like Beilein isn't even coaching. LEVERT PLEEEEAASSEEEEEE fix yourself.
I prefered last year to this year. Even our wins this year feel like losses. That was all a bunch of random shit for a post.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:26 PM ^
Dude. Back away from the ledge.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:29 PM ^
I'll take the whole team with me...enticing isn't it?
February 16th, 2016 at 9:34 PM ^
How much less could you care?
February 16th, 2016 at 10:51 PM ^
defense, rebounding and offense are not mutually exclusive. This is the worst defensive team that I can remember.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:25 PM ^
I know I got on Ace in another game thread, so I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Well written and funny.
I can't wait to watch a basketball game and be able to see more than one player/ref!
February 16th, 2016 at 10:53 PM ^
think, the brainiacs that came up with this idea are probably now coming up with something similar for football season.
February 17th, 2016 at 7:23 AM ^
watching TV that I caught myself leaning from side to side in order to get a better view of the game. The irony here was this whole floor view idea was so you could get a different VIEW of the game. All we got was a better view of the refs backside. Brilliant.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:26 PM ^
I'm 5'8" and can't dunk.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:28 PM ^
February 16th, 2016 at 9:29 PM ^
This team isn't even good at the one thing Beilein specifically recruits for. And Duncan Robinson...
February 16th, 2016 at 10:47 PM ^
he's been awol for a couple weeks. If he doesn't get open looks, I'm not sure what he adds to the team by being on the floor.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:28 PM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 10:23 AM ^
will scorch most anyone in 3 point shooting contest. However, as good of a shooter as Duncan is, he is NOT a Division 1 athlete. Put any decent athlete on him, and he cannot get open for a shot. I don't think it is a lack of effort, it is a lack of athleticism. Stauskas was an elite athlete and could rise up for his shot over tough defense. Duncan cannot do that. He's a star if the other team sucks. If they have anyone at all that can guard, he's toast.
Beilein seriously needs to look at his minutes. When he's not scoring, he's not helping by playing great D or rebounding. I'm not sure who you give his minutes to, but divide them up and see how things go.
Nothing against the kid, I'm sure he's a fine young man, but there's a reason he was playing DIII basketball two years ago.
That being said, Northwestern is upcoming and Robinson will probably go off for 20.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:34 PM ^
I tuned in after halftime and thought maybe they were having technical difficulties with the normal camera, thus prompting them to use the floor level camera.
Come to find out this was ESPN trying something worse than the glowing puck FOX used in the 90's. This was the worst idea ever and I hope I never have to watch a game like that again.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:35 PM ^
February 16th, 2016 at 9:39 PM ^
BAD CAMERA ANGLE OR BAD PERFORMANCE - YOU BE THE JUDGE
February 17th, 2016 at 6:56 AM ^
How the mighty have fallen.
February 17th, 2016 at 8:55 AM ^
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February 16th, 2016 at 9:44 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 8:00 AM ^
February 16th, 2016 at 9:52 PM ^
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February 16th, 2016 at 10:15 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 7:18 AM ^
...but I can't imagine that not knowing the status of your best player and the effect that his indeterminate status is going to have on the game plan and the minutes that guys will get is a good thing as far as mental preparation. Maybe it shouldn't matter, but I can't see how it doesn't. If they know one way or another, I'd think they could prepare better. Again , no psychologist here.
February 16th, 2016 at 10:51 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 11:53 AM ^
Agreed. When they are moving, setting screens and hustling to get open the offense works great. But they do go into the rut every game of just standing around until 10 seconds left on the shot clock, and then racing to get open enough to bomb a prayer 3.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:01 PM ^
I'm more disappointed and frustrated about this one than despondent. I dont think we would have had to play that much better to have a chance to win this one.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:58 PM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 12:12 AM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 12:43 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 2:01 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 2:49 AM ^
this is my rant
1. caris - read about rob lytle. nuff said. this is bullshit.
2. donnal try jumping. i have zero talent. but at 6'9" , you should be able to dunk anywhere, if you give effort.
3. Fire Alexander. There is litlle noticable coaching among the bigs.
4. DRob, if you ain't going to hit shots, at least play some D. ya, you got some rebounds but you were burned several times on D.
it's all about effort. OSU sucks, yet we still lost. this is a horrble loss. period.
February 17th, 2016 at 3:02 AM ^
that camera angle idea to the back of the barn and shoot it......many, many times.
What a dizzying shit show that was from our team and a production standpoint.
I've been growing very weary of Beilein's system and recruiting, I'm tired of seeing a team that doesn't crash the boards, plays poor defense, has bigs that miss bunnies and aren't willing to go up strong and dunk the damn ball and so many other things.
Something needs to either change or get altered in philosophy or Beilein needs to go cause I can't stand this mediocre crap.
February 17th, 2016 at 7:52 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 8:28 AM ^
We need better players and should be getting them. The facilities, tradition and school are second to none. Philosophically Beilein can win and beat our rivals the way he coaches. If we had more talent.
February 17th, 2016 at 8:42 AM ^
Holy smokes. I didn't get home till half time and figured they had already explained how they were forced to broadcast from ankle level after the normal camera up in the stands let out the magic smoke just before tip off. Guess not. After 10 minutes of UM playing like crap (I knew this only because the score at the bottom of the screen told me) I gave up and shut it off.
February 17th, 2016 at 11:19 AM ^
I hate bashing Beilein, but every game when we can't shoot Beilein just keeps encouraging them to keep throwing up shots from 3. I get shooting yourself out of a slump, but if the whole team are just lobbing up bricks I can't understand why they don't abandon it and drive the lane. Walton, Irvin, MAAR, Dawkins and even Robinson have all shown the ability to drive. That would compact the defense and create wide open looks from outside. When plan A isn't working, there should be at least a thought about a possible plan B.
I hate when idiots like us give coaching advise. I just couldn't help myself.
February 17th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^
that was one of the most uninspiring lackluster low energy performances of the year. This team has NO ENTHUSIASM....something is definitely lacking...So many BAD shots and turnovers. Some say this is a typical Belien team but I say the opposite..Even in the beginning of his tenure his teams HUSTLED , stole the ball , played hard nosed defense..this teams NONE of those and their on court attitude is BLAH...This is the first team of his I am extremely disaapointed in
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