Penn State 72, Michigan 63
Tonight was a bad night for Michigan to be unable to hit a jump shot, but alas, that's basketball. The continued absence of Isaiah Livers can only account for so much of this brutal offensive performance. The Wolverines made 17 of their 27 attempts in the paint; they were 7-for-41 on shots outside the lane, including a 5-for-28 mark on three-pointers.
The most frustrating part—okay, aside from watching the bricks pile up—is this remained a winnable game until late. The Wolverines finished with a surprising 11-3 edge in second-chance points, led by Brandon Johns, who scored a career-high 14 points and pulled down five offensive boards. After eight first-half turnovers, Michigan committed only five in the second half. They held the edge in free throw attempts until late-game foulin' time.
Brandon Johns probably didn't make this because it's a jumper. [Campredon]
But this is ultimately a game of making shots. Penn State hit eight threes, three more than Michigan, on nine fewer attempts. Lamar Stevens went to work from midrange on his way to a game-high 19 points. After zero first-half points, Curtis Jones came off the bench scorching the nets with 18 points on nine shots in the second. Myreon Jones connected on 3-of-4 threes on his way to 16 points.
No stat line encapsulates Michigan's night better than leading scorer Zavier Simpson's: 18 points, 6/18 on twos, 2/7 on threes, no trips to the line, six rebounds, six assists, six turnovers. While Simpson did a lot of good, his jumper failed him, and he played loose with the ball in the early going. The third Wolverine to finish in double figures was Eli Brooks, who needed 14 shooting possessions to score 12 points. Jon Teske went 4-for-6 inside the arc and 0-for-4 beyond it, Franz Wagner went 1-for-9 from the field, and David DeJulius scored his only two points at the line. This stretch of basketball, if we can call it that, occurred:
That is a long period of ugly.
There's not a whole lot more to say in the immediate aftermath of the game. Michigan played a solid defensive game, Penn State hit a few more shots than you'd expect from their selection, and the Wolverines missed more than enough open shots to make up the difference. They now sit at 2-5 in the Big Ten; another home loss could put them in perilous tournament positioning. While Livers can't return soon enough, this team needs more than that if they're going to keep pace in a brutal conference—he can't make shots for his teammates.
[Hit THE JUMP for the box score, if you dare.]
January 22nd, 2020 at 9:56 PM ^
It’s not the refs, it’s not Livers. They just aren’t very good and don’t look well coached. How engaged is Martelli?
January 22nd, 2020 at 9:58 PM ^
I was wondering the same about Martelli. Is he engaged with the guys during the timeouts? idk.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:07 PM ^
He's busy hoping he can play Frank Barone if Everybody Loves Raymond returns to TV.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:23 PM ^
Good question. Every time they show him on TV, he looks bored and wanting to be somewhere else. Yes, he's an assistant coach and you don't expect him to act like a cheerleader all the time. But this team needs some better coaching, whether it's from him or Juwan or whomever.
January 23rd, 2020 at 8:49 AM ^
Granted it's not one thing but several causing these outcomes but they aren't getting the "home cookin" they're seeing their competition get on the road.
January 22nd, 2020 at 9:57 PM ^
This team seems to be overrated the more I see them play. Even with Livers, it's clear they lost their defensive edge and can't shoot worth a damn. X needs to play better, especially for a senior point guard, way too many turnovers. If Livers doesn't come back soon, we're doomed. I'm amazed these boys smoked Gonzaga, seems like an entire season ago.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:38 PM ^
X can't play better...this is who he is. You all believe he is the best thing since sliced bread so here you get what you deserve. The kid puts forth great effort-he simply does not have the talent to play at this level. He played all 40 minutes tonight and I'll bet he thinks that was a good thing and that he was the best player on the floor. He is wrong on all counts and so are all those who believe he should be playing more than 10 minutes a game.
Juwan is stuck with a lot of bad options. I actually don't disagree with playing Simpson 40 minutes at this time. It is sort of tanking the season but what are the choices here??? Seriously, what are the choices??? And all you "Beilein is God" folks can go to hell here too...he is the architect of this mess. And you believe he left innocently-yeah right...he knew about the disastrous roster he had created...because yes, he is responsible for those early departures too.
If you were Livers would you come back to this???
I would say "end of rant" but it is too truthful to call it a rant.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:51 PM ^
"Too truthful to call it a rant."
A dumb bit of icing on some dumb cake.
Look, you are correct on one thing: Simpson is who he is. But the rest of the stuff you're vomiting into this post is just jumbled thoughts from the land of make-believe.
I would fisk all of the ridiculous untruths, but you're just putting this stuff here to troll, since you clearly haven't actually given this enough thought to actually believe a word you're saying.
Ignore the troll.
January 23rd, 2020 at 2:04 PM ^
More than anything, to me it looks like the shooting problem is completely between the ears. Right now it looks like the team is feeling pressure, so every shot is an exercise of "oh my gawd I hope this goes in". Penn State played loose like they had nothing to lose, and we were so tight like the team thought if we lost this game we should win we are totally screwed. Not many players were having fun last night.
Juwan's job now is to get these kids believing that schemes are going to work and shots are going to fall. They are playing for Michigan because they are GOOD as basketball; relax, have fun, and expect success.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:34 PM ^
We have looked much worse during very successful seasons. We werent National Champs for beating Gonzaga and we arent in the NIT because of this loss either. I will admit a luke warm DJJ seems like a better option than Simpson at this point. Simpson is turning into a better passing Aaron Craft with a hook shot. If you think Beilein is the reason our program is a mess thats all i need to know. I would consider our program in the 6-10# range over the last 7 years. Now Juwan has top end talent coming in? We will be fine.
January 23rd, 2020 at 7:42 AM ^
do you think UM should cut kids when they get here and don't live up to the fan's expectations?
January 23rd, 2020 at 11:43 AM ^
X is great when he is surrounded by shooters, hence leading us to a national championship game as a sophomore. He is not surrounded by shooters at all right now.
January 22nd, 2020 at 9:57 PM ^
From top 5 to first four out. This has been a brutal year for the major Michigan sports. I have faith in Howard, but it's never a good sign when a team gets worse as the season progresses...
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:00 PM ^
They now sit at 2-5 in the Big Ten; another home loss could put them in perilous tournament positioning.
Get your head out of your ass. They're fully engrossed in peril at this point. Chances they make the tournament are certainly below 50% by now.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:06 PM ^
We have 13 remaining games. Given how poorly we've played in the Big Ten so far, I'd say we're good for losses in at least 6 of them (Illinois, MSU, Road Rutgers, Purdue, Road OSU, and Maryland). Add in a loss in the Big Ten tourney and we'll be at 14 total losses. What percentage of 14 loss Big Ten teams have made the tourney in previous years? It can't be more than 10%.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:33 PM ^
I'm watching Rutgers right now and Michigan would be lucky to split with them. I also don't see how they beat Michigan State if they play the way they've been playing. They could get crushed at home.
Michigan was November National Champs but that doesn't mean shit now. They don't have any bad losses on a brutally tough schedule which has kept them afloat until now. But they have only 1 quality win so far and haven't had one in a while now.
It would be a goddamn crying shame for SImpson and Teske to miss the tournament in their senior year.
January 23rd, 2020 at 12:16 PM ^
Bracketologist: You were in great peril.
Xavier Simpson: I don't think I was.
B: Yes, you were. You were in terrible peril.
Eli Brooks: Look, let me go back in there and face the peril.
B: No, it's too perilous.
Teske: Look, it's my duty as a knight to sample as much peril as I can.
B: No, you've got to make the tourney. Come on.
Wagner: Oh, let me have just a little bit of peril?
January 24th, 2020 at 12:38 AM ^
Couldn’t all that be said without “get your head out of your ass”?
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:01 PM ^
Shape up or they're gonna lose Jace Howard, maybe Isaiah Todd, too. Wagner has earned his bricklayer's card...someone give it to him.
It's different rubbing noses with Nebraska and Northwestern at the bottom.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:01 PM ^
So many missed open 3's.
With all of the other sloppiness and herky-jerky offense, if we make half of those wide open 3's, we win.
The averages have to come back around... and also adding Livers.
All is not lost but it looks bad right now.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:02 PM ^
Against top-250 teams since the beginning of December, Michigan is 2-7. 2-2 at home. 1-5 in 2020. 3-game losing streak. 11-7 overall. Who the fuck knows when Livers is actually going to come back. The Michigan of the last 2 months has 0 chance to beat Illinois. I remember being super-negged sometime after the MSU game for saying that this team could be on the bubble if the bottom falls out on the season. Well guess what? The bottom is falling out on the season. This team is—or at least soon will be—100% on the bubble. Hopefully the talent coming in next year (provided they don’t flee due to this downturn) will be enough to contend, b/c I’m simply not seeing it out of Howard. What a shitty sports season.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:03 PM ^
In what universe is that considered a solid defensive game? PSU had sooooo many open looks. Hopefully Livers returns soon and we never have to witness Z’s brand of hero ball. I really miss Beilein and Yaklich tonight.
January 23rd, 2020 at 10:45 AM ^
Umm PSU put up .94 ppp. That would constitute good enough defense.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:05 PM ^
Without Livers it just does not look like we have a guy who has shown any consistent ability. Everyone out there plays scared and seems to defer to Simpson which does not work because he can not shoot.
Simpson has been a great player at Michigan but having a non shooter at one of the guard spots just kills this offense.
January 23rd, 2020 at 12:23 AM ^
Livers makes everyone better and elevate their game. Teams have to pay attention to him and that makes it all easier. Teams know we don’t have the fire power currently and aren’t afraid of anyone of our guys offensively.
sucks
hope he comes back soon.
January 23rd, 2020 at 9:17 AM ^
We're getting decent looks, but our guys can't shoot for shit.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:09 PM ^
Howard’s presser isn’t very comforting at this stage of the season
Paraphrasing -
- Team isn’t communicating and he doesn’t know why. Says he’s frustrated that it’s Jan 22 and he has to “beg” them to talk on both ends of the floor.
- Called timeouts in both halves early due to “lack of focus”
- Says there is a lack of accountability with some of the guys
- Too many open looks for PSU and is frustrated bc “we go over film and tendencies and know where guys like to shoot”
Limited options but if guys aren’t doing what you ask, play someone else and see if that helps. The bench is the best teacher
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:17 PM ^
He probably should have called a couple more timeouts. The guys just weren’t into it tonight.
January 23rd, 2020 at 1:15 PM ^
Problem is that there isn't enough talent on this team to win any conference game, home or road, unless they are "into it."
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:27 PM ^
Yeah, if they're not doing what he says, Juwan's gotta crack down hard on them. This team NEEDS that kind of toughness right now. They're soft.
Is it me or do Michigan teams rarely seem to play hard?
January 23rd, 2020 at 10:21 AM ^
We need someone to question the color of their collars again
January 23rd, 2020 at 10:50 AM ^
To me, this is quite comforting. I love the fact that he is calling them out and willing to be open about the challenges the team is facing. All four of your bullet points stuck out like a sore thumb in the game tonight. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Hopefully the young talent walking in the door will be on board with the way things work in Howard's program from the beginning.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:10 PM ^
I'm beginning to lose my faith in this team. THey're not very good and whatever Juwan is doing its not working and he needs to turn it around immediately. They have not looked like a well-coached team in several weeks and there is a hair-on-fire quality to their play. Despite this - they are still in position to win a lot of these games but even with their veteran seniors they can't find a way to win them
What bothers me is that the effort is not always there and the focus is never there. I can handle losses if they're hardfought or bad luck. But I'm getting tired of watching whatver that was tonight.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:12 PM ^
Right now this team does not even look like they are worthy of a NIT bid. But there is a lot of season left yet to turn things around.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:12 PM ^
I’m not watching another game until Livers is back. Hopefully that’s this weekend. If not, so be it. A few buddies and I could shoot better than that.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:15 PM ^
It will not be this weekend.
January 23rd, 2020 at 8:12 AM ^
Illinois just went on the road and punked the same Purdue team that Michigan barely survived against at home. I would prepare to be disappointed once again this Saturday afternoon.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:17 PM ^
This was an awful game and Michigan played poorly, but I sometimes feel like people assume good stretches where you play above your head are ephemeral and those when you play below your standard are the new normal. Michigan isn't the team they showed in Atlantis; at the time I think we all agreed (or at least acknowledged) they were shooting amazingly well and that probably wasn't going to keep happening. Similarly, the piss-poor shooting now doesn't feel normal either; these were good looks they got in this game. Hell, PSU was the team in the first half getting the lucky bounces and shots. So they aren't a top-5 team nor are they this current incarnation, but somewhere in the middle. And had Michigan hit even an average number of their shots they win this game.
That probably still means they'll be sweating out selection Sunday barring a nice run to end the year, but I also think people are instinctively assuming the worse.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:26 PM ^
There is an increasingly good chance, I think, that in a couple of years we will look back at the story of this season as having been written when Poole and Brazdeikis left. This team was always likely to struggle shooting.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:30 PM ^
Absolutely. This is not a good shooting team like past iterations. But they're still better than the sub-20% team from 3 you see in this game.
This year was always going to be a struggle; I can sorta see why Beilein made the jump when he did. But guys on this roster can shoot better than they have recently and thats why I think they'll be some regression back up.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:36 PM ^
In a couple year? Wait? What?
Did every body got some sort of general amnesia?
Because before we got Wagner, despite Bajema and Howard coming we all agreed that this team was weak because of Poole, Iggy and Matthews leaving early (Matthews could have played an extra year).
So you probably mean "That a few couple month ago, we look up front at the season being written there".
I believe the very strong start of the season and general "Michigan Optimisme" lead some to believe we would have an amazing season.
Dang, now, I just want to have Race Car a NCAA sports, and seeing all Michigan fan's telling me "we are going to win using a Peugeot 405 vs Ferraris".
January 23rd, 2020 at 11:30 AM ^
This.
If you look at the analysis before the season (before Howard was hired, primarily), a lot was written about our offense being cringe-worthy. With the regression of Z from our expectations and the loss of our best scorer, it's even moreso.
I think we all assumed the team would play better defense, though. Beilein's teams, though reasonably soft on O, were tougher on D, and I think we expected that to continue. Nope.
And now it seems like the coaches aren't getting through to the team. Yikes. Hopefully this doesn't have repercussions for the 2020 class. We need more talent on this team.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:19 PM ^
This team has so many fundamental problems right now, the chances of an NCAA bid are less than 20%.
1. Can't work the ball around to find guys for open looks
2. Defense in the paint is like a turnstile. No one stepping up to take charges, help out, or challenge the defender.
3. Consistently bad outside shooting - and this game was at home.
4. Can't show enough intensity or hustle for most of the game.
5. No one who can consistently drive the ball to the basket (without turning it over)
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:20 PM ^
This was my fear from the get-go....being a Head Coach, you better adapt or die....figure it out...there is more than enough talent without Livers to win two of three from Minnesota, Iowa and Penn State....figure it out.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:29 PM ^
This season is proving what a high calibre coach JB was. Same players a year older & more mature with atrocious results.
Even making it worse is JB's recruiting misses that fill the bench.
Used to be basketball season was uplifting after the tOSU thrashing and bowl loss. It's a long wait for baseball/softball season.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:13 PM ^
No way. JB fucked us on the way out. So who did he recruit to replace Iggy, Poole, Matthews and now Livers ?
January 23rd, 2020 at 11:35 AM ^
Same players? Four of our top players are gone or injured --- Iggy, Matthews, Poole, and Livers.
Horrible take.
January 23rd, 2020 at 12:10 PM ^
Going into last year, Beilein had to adapt to losing Moe, MAAR, and Duncan. Still made the sweet 16 and was a few calls away from winning both big ten regular season and tournament championships.
You lose guys ever year and NOBODY was better at replacing them than Beilein
Can't ignore how much individual players have regressed from last year. Who has gotten better? Only DDJ, meanwhile Castleton is apparently unplayable and every other underclassman looks the exact same as last year
January 23rd, 2020 at 5:07 PM ^
And Beilein had good players to replace them with. 2 NBA picks and an upperclassmen center. The problem was there wasn't much to replace Iggy and Poole leaving.
Johns has improved a lot. Castleton is a stretch 5 that can't shoot. Davis has improved a lot as well.
Simpson and Teske haven't regressed, just appears that way because they're role players attempting to carry a team with Livers out.
JB couldn't get offense out of the team last year, either.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:38 PM ^
This was not a home game. It felt like we were playing in a ballroom in the Reno Marriott. For weeks I've been hearing about the home court advantage in the Big Ten. Just a few minutes in, I had to laugh at how quiet and lifeless the game felt. Ugh.
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