Bucknell @ Michigan Open Thread

Submitted by Blerg on

Coach Beilein and company (1-0) welcome the Bison (1-0) to Crisler Center for a competative game of basketball.  8 PM. BTN.

Michigan's three "veterans" led the way with 20+ points each this past Saturday in a win over Hillsdale.  Spike did Spike things, naturally.

I'm most interested in the play of the big men, freshman, and overall team defense. Let's get a W!

 

victors2000

November 17th, 2014 at 10:04 PM ^

I'm sure that's something the coaching staff will bring up. Next up Detroit on the 20th, see y'all Thursday! Good to finally be rooting for some good Michigan sports!

OxfordBlue24

November 17th, 2014 at 10:42 PM ^

What makes the age of this year's team any different than the last two years? The year we went to the national championship game saw us playing a sophomore, 5 freshmen, and two juniors for the main rotation. I'd say that turned out pretty well. I don't have any official stat, but I'd say teams with a potential lottery pick on their roster usually don't end up going 16-13.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Perkis-Size Me

November 17th, 2014 at 10:39 PM ^

Didn't get to see the game, but it sounds like Michigan let a bit of a lead slip away, didn't play well at the end or something Ike that. This team will be just fine, and I'd be surprised if we didn't make the tournament at the end.

It's very likely we take a step back from the past 2 years. Having no front court presence will tend to do that. But we should all know by now that we can never question Beilein's abilities to develop talent, as well as get this team in top shape by year's end. There's a lot of young talent on this team. It's very raw right now, as it should be, but it'll start coming together by the end of the year.

And then, if we can somehow get everyone back next year, then just watch out.




Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

BlastDouble

November 17th, 2014 at 10:41 PM ^

This was a win over a quality opponent. You can ecpect a team this young to come out flat after completely dominating. It is a great coaching point for the staff, valuable film. Im glad it happened now instead of the next few games. Teams without a lot of experience can be rollercoasters at times.

Rodriguesqe

November 17th, 2014 at 10:42 PM ^

Random thoughts:

1) Zach Irvin is a better shooter than Stauskus. Premature, I know. And Stauskus could create his shot, I have yet to see Irvin do that. But he finds a ton of good looks, and he has a gorgeous release. Last year, he was 2nd on the team in 3 pointers made despite playing less than 1/2 the time Levert or GRIII played. Stauskus had 92 in 36 games last year. I'll take the OVER for Irvin. I also expect to get killed for this.

2) Irvin is an amazing natural / effortless scorer. Sort of reminds me of Carmello Anthony (though no where near as good or well rounded).

3) I think its best for the team for Levert be second in scoring. Levert is a do everything guy, if we are wearing him out with iso plays he won't be able to shut his man or do the other stuff we need. Tim Hardaway pulled back on scoring his junior year, and it made a huge difference.

4) With Bielfeldt's play, it'd be nice to hide Doyle for a while and let him really get at it in the gym, a bit like Mcgary's freshman year. Doyle looks legit to me, but we need him a bit stronger.

5) No way there are 23 teams in the country better than Michigan right now. I'd put them somewhere in the low teens, flaws and all.

 

Qmatic

November 17th, 2014 at 10:59 PM ^

It's Max Bielfeldt's world, and we're just living in it.

Some thoughts on today's game.

1. Walton is a top-tier college pg. I love the way he controls the game, pushes the break, and rarely takes a bad shot. He isn't a Burke-level scorer but we don't need him to be in this offense.

2. Levert is the man. On a night where his shot was not on, he still had a huge impact on the game. His court awareness is incredible.

3. Irvin will be our leading scorer this year. He is a pure scorer with a slightly better 3 point shot than Stauskas. He can't create like Stauskas (that's where Levert comes in), but he seems to be good enough at creating his own shot.

4. Freshmen have some growing to do, Kam hauled in some nice rebounds, and if we can incorporate some backdoor cuts for easy baskets like we did with GRIII at the 4, I think we will see him blossom on the offensive side. Donnal has a decent game at the 5 offensivly but I can see him struggling guarding the likes of Kaminsky. Wilson needs to get a little more comfortable, and Doyle is raw. I expect to see a big growth in Doyle though this season, from what I see he has that grit like Mitch had as a freshman.

5. The bench is relatively deep, and it is good to have Spike back there anchoring it. I really liked the set of Walton, Spike, Levert, Irvin out there.

6. John Beilein can coach.

We will be good this year, we could even be great.