DetNews opine: Is Michigan on road to Final Four?

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December 22nd, 2012 at 9:27 AM
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markinmsp
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DetNews opine: Is Michigan on road to Final Four?

 Maybe a bit early for the headline, but still pleasing to read impressions of UM basketball beat writer Rod Beard for DetNews on UM hoops this season. Discusses 5 things learned about team at this juncture prior to opening B1G season.

LINK:  Is Michigan on road to Final Four?

Six weeks into the season, Michigan has risen to from fifth to second in the national polls and looking like a squad that will challenge for the title in a stacked Big Ten — and certainly get past the first weekend when March rolls back around.

 Quick listing of his "5 Things" for those not able or desirous of clicking; though each has an interesting synopsis in the article.

Burke's even better

No one-man show - Strong rotation

Fresh faces - Freshman play

Hitting the boards - Rebounding

Going for it - Beilein

 

 Love the last paragraph. Hoping we are in for a special season also.

Beilein won't talk about the good start or the No. 2 ranking, but in his mind, he knows this is a special group and he probably won't have all of the pieces back next year — so he'll look to seize the opportunity now.

                                          

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December 22nd, 2012 at 9:44 AM | iPhone (Score:2 Normal)
goblue1213
Joined: 01/09/2011
MGoPoints: 221

I think this team does have an excellent opportunity to make a deep run this spring. The one thing I keep thinking with this team is that they're so young. And with that, they haven't even fully adjusted to the college game or even reached their full potential/meshed as a team yet. I think GRIII will start coming up big during league play on the score sheet. But to truly see how great this team is, they need to be trailing and have to fight back in the game. If they show that ability to fight back in the game, this could be an even more special season.

Flying the Maize and Blue in the heart of Dixie

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:10 AM | If you recall, M was down 7, (Score:2)
gordie bell
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If you recall, M was down 7, in the 2nd half, to a very tough and determined Pitt team in "The Garden", and came roaring back in a heartbeat, taking control of the game. Thankfully, so far this season, M has been too good to fall far behind in a game. When M does face a double digit deficit this season; they have the talent and make up to respond, of this, I have no doubt. For me, regarding bouncing back from a deficit, it's a question of when, not if.

December 22nd, 2012 at 12:07 PM | Kentucky was young last year when they won it all... (Score:3 Normal)
pkatz
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so the youth issue doesn't necessarily hold up, especially with two upperclassmen in the starting lineup (THJ and Morgan) and Burke's maturity as a sophomore.



I was concerned that we don't have a dominant inside presence like Zeller, but Beilien's strategies doesn't require one. We do need to improve our 3-pt defense though.



Very excited about the team - go blue

December 22nd, 2012 at 12:31 PM | But (Score:3 Normal)
goblue1213
Joined: 01/09/2011
MGoPoints: 221

If I remember right, Kentucky wasn't dominant at the start of the year. They gelled as the season went a long and were on fire in March. My argument was that with as good as Michigan has been so far, they haven't totally gelled yet. And come spring they could be even more dominant. Also, I forgot about being down 7 to Pitt.

Flying the Maize and Blue in the heart of Dixie

December 22nd, 2012 at 2:02 PM | 38-2 last year (Score:4 Normal)
pkatz
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they were dominant all year (other than those 2 losses...)

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:02 AM | Very exciting team to watch (Score:2)
gordie bell
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Very exciting team to watch and they have even taken it up a notch with moving LeVert into the rotation.

I think, Beilein was experimenting early in the season, starting Vogrich, playing Akunne in the first half of games, in hopes of preserving Levert's RS. When it became apparent this team was a NC contender, Beilein went all in and burned LeVert's RS, and the team is much better overall with LeVert in the rotation.

I would love to watch practices; You have two top 25 teams going at it everyday in practice. Bo's teams always said "the games are easy, if you can make it through the practices, the games are fun". I've heard a couple members of M's Bball team say something similar regarding practices being tougher than the games. I can believe it. Max Bielfeldt and Mitch McGary would make a nice frontcourt on many teams, but can't start at M, and in Bielfeldt's case, can't hardly get minutes on this team. Future is bright; this team is not a one year wonder.

As an aside, EMU's coach called M the best shooting team he's ever seen.

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:03 AM | "DetNews opine: Is Michigan (Score:2 Normal)
mGrowOld
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"DetNews opine: Is Michigan on road to Final Four?"

Yes.  Yes they are.

 

 

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:20 AM | Is Michigan on the road to the Final Four? (Score:0 Normal)
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:39 AM | You don't need to do this, (Score:5 Normal)
gordie bell
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You don't need to do this, because this team is clearly capable of a run to the Final Four. It is beyond dispute. Whether they get there or not is a different question, but there should be no doubting this is one of the best and most complete teams in the nation. This team is absolutely loaded.

Michigan is on the short list with teams like Duke, IU, Ohio State, Florida, Syracuse, and a few others, as the most talented teams in  the country. Our friends down the road in East Lansing might make a run at the Final Four, wouldn't surprise me, but they are clearly not as talented and skilled as this M team.

December 22nd, 2012 at 12:13 PM | Other potential final 4 teams (Score:1)
m1jjb00
Joined: 11/21/2009
MGoPoints: 1416

I think you'd want to add Arizona and Kansas will probably be there at the end of the year.  Missouri and Cinci,  are maybes.  If you go any deeper, then I think Minnesota comes into the conversation.  Of course, a darkhorse has a decent chance to get in, but that would be 20 or so more teams.

December 22nd, 2012 at 11:36 AM | 40? (Score:5 Normal)
Jasper
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It would depend on who's answering the question, I suppose, but I don't think many writers with national profiles (e.g., SI's Luke Winn) would say there are 40 teams with Final Four potential.

Also, even a team with realistic F4 aspirations might be *expected* to lose on the road this year at OSU and IU. Very possibly MSU and Minnesota, too, depending on how well the other team happened to play that night.

Finally, it's not like Michigan has played all scrubs this year. There's at least some data suggesting that they're pretty good. Maybe not F4 good, but good enough to be in the conversation. We'll see.

One other thing while I'm here: It's probably fair to say that Michigan (given its youth) is farther away from its season ceiling than the average team. In particular, I think GRIII, McGary, and (especially) Levert have room to grow.

"500 channels and nothing but cats."

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:06 AM | I prefer to temper (Score:2 Normal)
ReadYourGuard
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I prefer to temper expectations due to the fact that we haven't played a single conference game. The Big10 will be a nice gauge for how good we really are.



Until then, I personally won't be mentioning any Final 4 appearances or repeat titles.

"the Spirit of Michigan...is based on a deathless loyalty to Michigan and all her ways....and a conviction that nowhere is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours" - Fielding Yost
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:28 AM | No doubt. While I am excited and hope for the best... (Score:-1 Overrated)
December 22nd, 2012 at 2:42 PM | well (Score:2 Informative)
umchicago
Joined: 02/05/2009
MGoPoints: 3531

nc state was picked by many to win the ACC.  and i think most would think that pitt and kstate would make the ncaa tourny at the beginning of the year.

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:06 AM | Final Four? Maybe (Score:3 Normal)
MGoSoftball
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Great team? Yes.  This team is actually fun to watch.  It is not the boring shoot-3s-and-hope-to-win kind of team.  We can score up top, down low and all places in between.

I have not had this much fun since Jalen and the boys were on campus.  Izzo and company are really strarting to get scared.

From the Red Cedar Message Board:  "God hates us."  Yes He does Lil Bro, yes he does.  Everyone hates you.

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:14 AM | I really (Score:1)
Leonhall
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Think this team has some talent but it's still early for me, I want to see them against better competition, the B1G will answer that request for me...they haven't played anybody that is as good as MSU, Ohio, Indiana, or probably Illinois....it's clear they have talent, but 'ships are won in March and April, not November and December...Go Blue!

Denard Robinson......They're not going to catch him!

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:20 AM | Their strength of schedule is (Score:3 Normal)
UMICH1606
Joined: 02/21/2010
MGoPoints: 1861

Their strength of schedule is 14th at the moment. They haven't played against an elite team yet, but it isn't like they have been feasting on a schedule full of cupcakes either. I think people underestimate how solid of a schedule they have played compared to a lot of schools by how easy they have made it look.

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:29 AM | Maybe (Score:-1 Overrated)
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:48 AM | I would have to agree with you. (Score:-1 Normal)
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:50 AM | Pitt is a very good team and (Score:2 Normal)
Croatian_Blue
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Pitt is a very good team and can be considered a national power. Just because they had one bad season doesn't take away the fact that they've been a top four seed several times in the past decade, including one or two #1 seeds. They are good this year and will prove it in a tough Big East conference.

Also, let's not get all high and mighty like the SEC here. The Big Ten is a great conference, but the conference as a whole needs to prove it in March.

December 22nd, 2012 at 11:01 AM | Pitt has (Score:-1 Redundant)
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:48 PM | Pittsburgh is a strange case (Score:2 Normal)
m1jjb00
Joined: 11/21/2009
MGoPoints: 1416

They're 11-1

Their schedule stinks with Lehigh and Detroit the next best teams that they've played.

Although unraked (27th in AP & coaches), they're 5th in Ken Pom and 10th in Sagarin.

 

December 22nd, 2012 at 11:14 AM | Again SOS #14 out of 300 and (Score:5 Normal)
UMICH1606
Joined: 02/21/2010
MGoPoints: 1861

Again SOS #14 out of 300 and something. Not exactly feasting on a schedule of cupcakes.

December 22nd, 2012 at 11:24 AM | Right (Score:-1 Overrated)
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:49 AM | While their "SOS" rating may subjectively be #14... (Score:-1 Trolling)
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:04 PM | I don't think you understand (Score:3 Normal)
BraveWolverine730
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I don't think you understand how non-conference SOS rankings work. That SOS (which the two places I've found have it at 19 and 21 so take that FWIW) is the ranking RIGHT NOW compared to other schools, not a projected one.  While there are a few national contenders ahead of us (Duke, Florida, Louisville), the only Big Ten squad ranked ahead of us on that metric is Minnesota. So we've performed better than pretty much every Big Ten squad (except probably Indiana) against an at best equally strong schedule. I see no reason not to say we're final four contenders.

" I want to win Big 10 titles. Multiply. Consecutively. I just made that word up (multiply). I'm like that. I'm good at Scrabble."

December 22nd, 2012 at 12:11 PM | We can call (Score:-1 Trolling)
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:24 PM | If we can't discuss things we (Score:4 Normal)
BraveWolverine730
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If we can't discuss things we don't definitely know, then what's the entire point of this board (outside the Cat pics and Kate Upton gifs)? I think some are really underselling Pitt and that's coloring their view of our non-conference. If you disagree with that assessment of Pitt (as it seems you do), then I can see why you'd think we haven't beaten anybody.

" I want to win Big 10 titles. Multiply. Consecutively. I just made that word up (multiply). I'm like that. I'm good at Scrabble."

December 22nd, 2012 at 1:10 PM | I don't (Score:0 Overrated)
December 22nd, 2012 at 7:04 PM | So who would you say IS good? (Score:5 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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Who has played a "real", "tough" schedule?

No one goes out there and plays 10 OOC world beaters. Sounds like you're saying you can't talk about anyone yet. But you're doing a lot of talking about something we can't talk about yet.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

December 22nd, 2012 at 1:02 PM | Also beat KSU (Score:1)
Michigan4Life
Joined: 07/29/2010
MGoPoints: 5662

Arkansas and WVU. Both aren't playing up to their usual standard but it's a power conference team on neutral court. Michigan beat Arkansas with relative ease at Crisler.



They beat Bradley, traditionally tough mid-major school, on the road. Of course, you have your share of cupcakes but every teams have it. What matter is Michigan dominated in every game except Pittsburgh who is an underrated team.

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 AM | On the road to the Final Four? (Score:0 Normal)
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:21 AM | I'd prefer to wait and see (Score:1 Normal)
russale2012
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I'd prefer to wait and see how we do in Big Ten competition before I make any Final Four predictions. The OSU game in a few weeks will be a good gauge for how far we've come.

It's been a lot. Its been a roller coaster that for some reason seemed like it would never get good. But you know what? We kept fighting. It's like that old saying goes, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." -David Molk

December 22nd, 2012 at 10:47 AM | Big 10 play will tell us a lot (Score:2 Underrated)
Shakey Jake
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MGoPoints: 253

While obvious, Big 10 play will really show what this team is made of as the team will be tested by consistent talent on the other side of the ball.

Here's hoping for growth instead of regression and that the team hits all cylinders just as the tournament starts.

One note in regards to Mitch McGary.

He's a Bill Lambier in the making.

I hope he starts to settle down,  gets a better grasp of the college game, limits the fouls and blossoms as a force under the basket.

We have seen glimpses of that that already but if he can find a level of consistency then UM will have a nice inside combo of Morgan and McGary. The icing on the cake is if Horford can come back healthy and stay healthy. The injury Gods seem to have picked Horford as their whipping boy.

It's an exciting time to be a Michigan Bball fan.

Let's hope the team can shock the world.

"The street legend is back, bitches!"

December 22nd, 2012 at 11:07 AM | Winner of the B1G (Score:1)
MGoSoftball
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MGoPoints: 3589

regular season or B1G tourney will be a final four team.  Everyone knows that it is better to be HOT than to be good in the tourney.  Look at Izzo, he is one of the luckiest coaches alive.

How many times has all 4 number 1 seeds made it to the final four?  Only once that I can remember int he past 10 years.  So its not how you start, its how you finish.

NCAA Tourney does NOT crown the "best" team, it crowns the "hottest" team.  Finish strong boys.

From the Red Cedar Message Board:  "God hates us."  Yes He does Lil Bro, yes he does.  Everyone hates you.

December 22nd, 2012 at 11:08 AM | Shock the world? (Score:-1 Redundant)
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:11 PM | The good thing about Big Ten play, (Score:0 Redundant)
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:49 AM | will michigan make the final (Score:0 Redundant)
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:07 AM | Maybe this guy is the pope? (Score:0 Overrated)
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:40 AM | Maximizing Potential... (Score:2)
LSAClassOf2000
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"By playing all five freshmen in the rotation and pushing back some of his upperclassmen, Beilein is showing that he's going to try to get the most out of this group, which appears to have Final Four potential."

The stretch between the middle of January and the middle of February or so, when we will play Ohio State twice as well as our currently ranked conference compatriots at least once, will tell us much, but the sentence above is key to the whole thing, I believe. If this team continues to maximize its potential as they have and can continue to play an aggressive, opportunistic game (which would hopefully translate to making it through the middle of the conference schedule in good shape), a run to the Final Four would not be unrealistic to consider in that case, at least in my opinion.

"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."

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December 22nd, 2012 at 11:50 AM | Maybe (Score:1)
YoOoBoMoLloRoHo
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MGoPoints: 1002

They have the 2 most important qualities for a deep run - very strong guards and the ability to play different styles (fast, slow, physical, finesse).

Reaching Final Four takes the right bracket match-ups and a little good luck on the court. It will be fun to watch.

"Everybody wants to be a hero, so to speak.  But it takes everybody."  - Charles Woodson

December 22nd, 2012 at 11:56 AM | LALALALA CAN'T HEAR YOU (Score:1 Offtopic)
Wolverine Devotee
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LALALALA CAN'T HEAR YOU

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

December 22nd, 2012 at 12:13 PM | I don't really see what (Score:4 Normal)
BraveWolverine730
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I don't really see what having to play in Columbus or Bloomington have to do with whether this team has Final Four potential. The 1989 squad that won the national title lost 6 conference games (in admittedly what was probably the most stacked Big Ten ever, but still). The 1992 Final Four squad lost 7. If the question was, is this definitely, 100% a top 5 team, then the wait until Bloomington/Columbus/EL crowd would probably be correct, but you don't necessarily need to win in those places to make Final Four run.

Also Fun Fact, UM is 21-9 in its last 30 conference games, and that's with playing at least half of them without a talent advantage. This year's squad won't have that problem.

" I want to win Big 10 titles. Multiply. Consecutively. I just made that word up (multiply). I'm like that. I'm good at Scrabble."

December 22nd, 2012 at 1:07 PM | Okay, okay, (Score:-1 Trolling)
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:21 PM | Ah the classic strawmen (Score:4 Normal)
BraveWolverine730
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MGoPoints: 2743

Ah the classic strawmen tactic. A favorite of message board posters everywhere. Take my argument (we've already shown we're a really talented team and even if we drop these showcase games that the "wait and see crowd" is waiting for, we still can make a F4 run). Distort it(Yeah brah FInal Four Tix punched brah) and then ridicule the distortion as if it was the original argument.
 

I don't know exactly how good we are yet. The Big Ten season 100%, unequivocally will tell us a heck of a lot more about where exactly we rank nationally. All I'm saying is that the non-conference season has put us in the tier where a final four is definitely possible if the chips fall right. Losing to a few tough teams in the Big Ten won't change that opinion so it seems irrelevant to this discussion.

" I want to win Big 10 titles. Multiply. Consecutively. I just made that word up (multiply). I'm like that. I'm good at Scrabble."

December 22nd, 2012 at 1:34 PM | The team definitely has the (Score:1)
aiglick
Joined: 11/27/2010
MGoPoints: 1442

The team definitely has the potential.

Another nice bonus is that there are members of the team with Tourney experience to help guide the freshmen. Also, this team knows first hand there are no garuntees (see OHIO) so they'll come out to play.

End of the day they have to work on getting better everyday and if they do that we'll be fine.

Here's hoping for a bright future. This team does try hard and I will continue to support them.

December 22nd, 2012 at 1:46 PM | Research needs to be done to (Score:2 Funny)
robmorren2
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MGoPoints: 1543

Research needs to be done to find out if & when Jon Horford played running back for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Apparently he's a marked man.

December 22nd, 2012 at 4:22 PM | Can we stop getting ahead of (Score:1 Overrated)
FrankMurphy
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MGoPoints: 2499

Can we stop getting ahead of ourselves? 

December 22nd, 2012 at 5:24 PM | Only at Michigan would half (Score:2 Insightful)
ThadMattasagoblin
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MGoPoints: 2685

Only at Michigan would half of the fans get pissed off because a writer thinks we have a good chance to go to the final four.  I wish our fanbase saw everything as a glass half full and not half empty all the time.

903 wins most in college football

December 23rd, 2012 at 12:24 AM | Final Four? (Score:1 Normal)
Blue in Dallas
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MGoPoints: 126

Sounds good to me

"He has no idea that Charles Woodson can jump fifteen feet in the air, come down acrobatically, and get his foot inside this football field.  Folks, you can watch football a long, long time before you see another play like that."

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