SpikeFan2016

February 16th, 2016 at 9:19 PM ^

Honestly, I'm not upset that we lost (although this was a winnable game), I am just so, so, so sick of losing in UNCOMPETITIVE games. 

 

All losses by double digits this year. Totally unacceptable. 

 

I'd say our chances at the tournament are 50-50. 

 

If we beat Northwestern and win our first BTT game, we're probably good (but not certainly).  And I REALLY don't feel confident about Wisconsin, Maryland, or Iowa (as well as a second round BTT game). 

Joined: 04/03/2015

MGoPoints: 6659

Jimmyisgod

February 17th, 2016 at 8:47 AM ^

Regardless of who you listened to, everyone had us as a bubble team who would get into the Tourney after Purdue, now we lose to Ohio State by 10 and if we lose @ Marykand, we would be out at that point with 3 regular season games remaining vs NW @ Wisky and vs Iowa.  1-2 in those Final 3 would leave us a lot of work to do still.  We'd have to beat a good team in the BTT to get in, 1 win vs a bottom feeder wouldn't do it, 2 wins probably would.

So, we really need to beat Wisky or Iowa to avoid that.

Joined: 01/24/2012

MGoPoints: 10342

Tater

February 16th, 2016 at 9:41 PM ^

If Michigan had sunk four more treys, for a percentage of .375, they would have won by 2 points.  When the ball doesn't go in, it doesn't go in.  It doesn't mean they were "UNCOMPETITIVE;" it just means they sucked shooting tonight.

So, is "UNCOMPETITIVE" going to become the new "UNACCEPTABLE" for Michigan fans?  I certainly hope not.  We are fucking better than that.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

WolvinLA2

February 16th, 2016 at 9:54 PM ^

But that's how basketball goes. Unfortunately for us, we live by the 3 and die by the 3. A good team is able to do something else. When you rely on a low percentage play, that can happen, you'll have off nights. We're like Adam Dunn. Some nights we hit 3 home runs, and sometimes we go 0-4 with 3 strike outs. It's just too inconsistent.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

SpikeFan2016

February 16th, 2016 at 10:38 PM ^

Being down double digits the entire second half and never being able to make any semblance of a run is uncompetitive. 

 

If there is not a single point in the second half that the opposing team is genuinely nervous about losing, then you did not play a competitive game. We did not play a competitive game tonight. 

Joined: 04/03/2015

MGoPoints: 6659

trueblueintexas

February 16th, 2016 at 9:22 PM ^

Beilein has already had to turn his staff completely over once in 9 years. What does it say that fans want him to do it again? 1) Other teams are not interested in his assistants as head coach candidates. 2) twice in nine years fans have the perception that a major function or two of the team is not working properly.

Joined: 11/10/2008

MGoPoints: 36653

Wolverine Devotee

February 16th, 2016 at 10:17 PM ^

I don't really understand what you're trying to say here.

Yes, I understand the whole "you have zero perspective/you're young" meme. It's been a running thing now with us for a few years.

But what are you saying is wrong with my post? I'm saying we need to make some assistant coaching changes. The bigs situation is the glaring issue.

I was watching a game from '98 the other day where we had something like 50 points in the paint against Indiana. 50!!! I realize it was Tractor (RIP) but that team also had two great 3pt shooters, one of them holds the career records. 

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 31528

MGoBender

February 17th, 2016 at 9:31 AM ^

Here's why you're getting negged, WD.  You're yelling FIRE ASSISTANTS without any reasons to fire assistants.

By everyone's accounts, the assistants are very good.  You can ignore those accounts, fine.

I'll point to Donnal.  Everyone was ready to throw him out 5 games into the season and now he's a servicable B10 player.  Not great, but not terrible.  So, we're just going to ignore that vast, quick improvement?  No credit to Alexander?

LaVall Jordan is pretty widely regarded as the next best young D1 coach. You don't mention firing him, so I'm guessing you're somewhat on board with that.  

As for Meyer, he's been around less but has also been a candidate for head jobs (didn't he turn one down?).  The staff is not terrible and not worth firing for the sake of firing.

Joined: 03/26/2010

MGoPoints: 15128

MadLandoGOBlue

February 17th, 2016 at 9:43 AM ^

I would say the fact that the bigs play afraid under the basket is a sign that Alexander isn't doing a good job. Also, the bigs are failing at routine techniques. Some of the first things you're taught as a post player is to always go straight up to the basket when you get the ball. No dribble, no hesitation, especially on rebounds. The announcers make multiple comments per game about one, or all, of our bigs doing this multiple times. Maize glasses have to be the only way you can possibly look at our bigs and say they are improved.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 408

MGoBender

February 17th, 2016 at 9:50 AM ^

To be fair, I said they improved.  I didn't say they were good.  In fact, I said "servicable" as a polite way of saying "below average."

My point was that they were straight up terrible to start the year.  Now Donnal is servicable and DJ Wilson is still showing flashes.  I wish we could see more of DJ - I'd like to know what is preventing him from getting more minutes.

As far as "first thing you're taught as a post player is to go straight up."  That's middle school basketball coaching right there.  Fact is, Donnal is not going to dunk on guys.  He's always going to be undersized and under-athletic'd.  Going straight up = easy block/TO.  He has done a decent job of using the rim to prevent against shot-blockers.  He's not going to create his own offense and that is fine.  if we get into a situation where Mark Donnal is going 1v1 against bigger, more athletic bigs, we're in bigger trouble than we realize.

Joined: 03/26/2010

MGoPoints: 15128

MadLandoGOBlue

February 17th, 2016 at 12:08 PM ^

Didn't say anything about dunking. And calling that technique "middle school basketball coaching" is pretty funny.  You actually described the exact reason you don't bring the ball down after a rebound or receiving a pass in the post.  If you pump too often, or dribble, it gives the defender a chance to reload and time the block. If you go up right away, it takes that away. Obviously I'm not saying every time, as you have to pump and pivet to get better looks at times, but our bigs almost always pump or dribble.

It's not about size or athleticism, which I agree our bigs lack, but its a clear softness.  I don't expect them to win every battle, but there are times where it seems like they don't even know how to box out, and against smaller players too.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 408

UMxWolverines

February 17th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^

Because you try and use past successes/failures as a reason something can't change. You're not the only one to do this. 

1. MSU was not much of a basketball school until Izzo showed up. That changed. 

2. MSU was terrible for 40 years at football until Dantonio showed up. That changed for the time being. But people that say ''history repeats itself, they'll revert back to how they were'' no! That's not how it works. Wisconsin was once essentially Indiana in football and basketball and they've stayed consistently good. 

It's called striving for more as a sports program. People have it in their head that we can't sustain basketball success because we haven't before. Not true. 

We also only have one national title since the late 40s in football...that doesn't mean we can't win more and more often!

Joined: 03/01/2009

MGoPoints: 65435

lilpenny1316

February 16th, 2016 at 9:26 PM ^

And look at the head guy to make some changes to how he operates.  Those guys were assistants on a Final Four and Elite Eight team.  If they were good enough then, they're good enough now.  He needs to do whatever's necessary and within the rules to change our fortunes in the recruiting game.  After 2013-2014, we shouldn't still have the recruiting success of a mid-major.

 

 

Joined: 11/19/2009

MGoPoints: 61836

Raoul

February 16th, 2016 at 9:54 PM ^

I'm not blaming the assistants, but the fact is that Michigan has had the same coaching staff for six years now, which is an unusually long period. Staffs can get stale over time. So I think it would be worth considering bringing in a new assistant or two with some new coaching ideas and some new recruiting connections, particularly with AAU coaches.

Joined: 09/29/2009

MGoPoints: 13957

lilpenny1316

February 17th, 2016 at 10:01 AM ^

Before Harbaugh hired the coach of a commit, Fisher hired the H.S. coach of Jalen Rose mentor to Chris Webber.  He was a great coach at Southwestern (Detroit Public Schools) and had a lot of respect down here.  If I'm Beilein, I would keep Alexander since he has Detroit roots (played at Southwestern) and find a well respected H.S. coach in Detroit or Southwest Michigan or the AAU circuit.  Also someone who will not bring in shadowy characters.

Joined: 11/19/2009

MGoPoints: 61836