Douglass and Novak vs. Oklahoma
Who's with me that Stu Douglass and Zack Novak are going to be keys to a potential UM win vs. Oklahoma? Obviously, our chances greatly increase if Blake Griffin gets in foul trouble, but if Douglass and Novak start bombing from 3-land, I think UM might be able to pull this upset.
(Granted this is assuming C.J. Lee learns how to break a token press and not walk into traps.)
I'm going to go ahead and say that Sims and Harris will be the keys. Discuss.
I'm gonna go ahead and agree with you
Obviously Sims and Harris are vital to UM's chances. Everyone who has seen UM play this season knows that, but I think Douglass and Novak, particularly this game, play a key role since UM has no chance of matching up inside with Oklahoma. I love Peedi, but he has a very little chance of even containing Griffin, which is why I think UM needs the two freshmen firing on all cylinders from the arch. It's going to be the outside shooting that gives UM a chance of winning, and I, for one, don't think Harris can do it by himself.
I get what you're saying, but what that all translates to is "if these players get hot, they will be the key to the game" which I feel could be said about anyone. A better way of saying this is that outside shooting will be key because of the Griffin Bros., and Douglass and Novak will be a couple of the people we look to to establish that. But Harris and Sims' performances are more important overall, and there is no way I'd say we're depending on Douglass and Novak to win this for us (which is in a way implied with being "key").
hah i was about to respond with the same exact thing. when manny and deshawn both don't play well then we're screwed. if they both play well than we can beat anyone in the country. hell, even when only one of them plays well we have a good chance of winning (ex, clemson).
i'm not worried about novak or douglass. they have shown that they can show up on a regular basis and can contribute as role players. however, I think it's huge that big Zack Gibson has another solid game to help counter blake griffin.
i really don't know a whole lot about oklahoma other than B Griffin and that they don't play many guys (thanks barack) but again, I definitely think we have a chance. We are the most wildly inconsistent team in the country but hopefully today we play much better than on thursday. GO BLUE.
I say Laval. Let him heat up and burn.
I think it will come down to what it always does for UM: patience, defense, and knocking down the open shots. When they run the system, play good defense, and hit enough of those threes to loosen up the middle, they can beat anyone. When they don't, they can lose to anyone.
I "only" think they have about a forty percent chance of winning this one because it is a de facto road game, but they can win. And who would have thought they would be in this situation at the beginning of the season?
I don't think we can win today without Blake Griffin getting in foul trouble. Just to throw it out there Novak reminds me of a bigger less talented Scott Skiles, and Douglass reminds me of a young Jeff Hornacek.
White players are always compared to other white players, aren't they?
but about 99% of the time that's the only comparison you can make.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:08 AM ^
Really? And why is that?
March 21st, 2009 at 10:47 AM ^
Because it's just how it is.
March 21st, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^
How can you miss our scrappy defense, floppy hair, blue-collar work ethic, perimeter-based shooting, or fresh-from-a-small-town charm?
Combine those qualities with the fact that we're always the ones jumping up and down on the bench during big plays on the floor, and given the fact that we're always the one ready to go bump chests with the stars of the team as we head to a t.v. time out, hell, I can barely tell us apart.
Right, I forgot that is all white athletes are good at. Silly me
(Passing wise mind you)John Stockton=Magic Johnson.
If Michigan can't get this phenom in foul trouble early then we're going to get ate up on the boards. Imo,Michigan should go right at him,instead of bombing from the outside.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:31 AM ^
physically and basketball style wise that is who Novak and Douglass remind me of visually.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:57 AM ^
These are the two keys to today's victory.
One Stiner-recliner or the combo Steiner-Line on Griffin and Oklahoma's done for. If only they can hide them long enough in the dressing room until the last minute.
On a separate but related note, anyone else think Manny Harris's new nickname could be "The Nature Boy".. I'm just thinking ahead to next year when the band could play the Ric Flair theme music and Manny comes out in a maize & blue sequened robe.
WOOOOO!
One Stiner-recliner or the combo Steiner-Line on Griffin and Oklahoma's done for. If only they can hide them long enough in the dressing room until the last minute.
On a separate but related note, anyone else think Manny Harris's new nickname could be "The Nature Boy".. I'm just thinking ahead to next year when the band could play the Ric Flair theme music and Manny comes out in a maize & blue sequened robe.
WOOOOO!March 21st, 2009 at 11:12 AM ^
Griffin = foul trouble and or ejection/injury/flaming diarrhea
Manny Fresh = Driving the lane and not falling in love with the 3 ball.
SIMS = Make some of those sweet, sweet jumpers and post shots.
Stu/Novak/LLP/etc... = >37% 3pt shooting
Zhaq Gibson = Strong D and take at least 3 boards away from Griffin.
FREE THROWS = MAKE THEM
BOOM = DUB-YA (W) (WIN)