Good Season

Submitted by Toby Flenderson on

Obviously this was not the way we wanted the year to end. Nevertheless, the boys never stopped fighting throughout the year and they made me proud to be a wolverine.

 

As always, Go Blue.

1464

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:09 PM ^

They hung a banner AND they shortened the Time-until-football season by about two weeks.  Can't undervalue that contribution.  There are 163 days left.  Had we bowed out in the BTT and not made the NCAA, it would have been like 177.  Doesn't sound like much, but none of us on here are very centered or reasonable about waiting until the start of the season...

San Diego Mick

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:08 PM ^

we played a pretty bad game yet still only lost by one point.

So proud of this team, thank you Derrick and Zak for 4 hard working years, good luck in the future and as always, Go Blue!!!

lbpeley

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:08 PM ^

That last 40 seconds or so was just...lazy? Dammit! Ducks were quick. Man were they quick. Excellent D.

In reply to by lbpeley

lhglrkwg

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:10 PM ^

the rebound on the missed 1-and-1 and then the OREB at the end. Grabbing the rebound after the 1 and 1 might change the whole game

M-Lemon

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:09 PM ^

If you told me early in the season that we would win the BIG championship and be in the Sweet Sixteen, I would have been pretty happy.

That said, we just played like crap tonight.  And still only lost by 1.  Sad!

 

lhglrkwg

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:09 PM ^

Man.....I really thought Walton's shot was going down. It just felt like we were gonna win those last few minutes and then suddenly we didn't

aiglick

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:10 PM ^

Tough breaks it was the little plays. That missed box out on the 1 and 1 was not good. Neither was the fact that two balls went in and out for Robinson. In the end it was extremely close. Heckuva season. Go Blue.

theytookourjobs

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:11 PM ^

It was a strange year to say the least.  Certainly a great run to end it.  Disappointing though because they let a golden opportunity slip away tonight.  They got outplayed and outcoached, and I don't think there's any question that they were the better team.  Poor decision making really cost them tonight

Erik_in_Dayton

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:39 PM ^

They won 26 games, won the Big Ten tournament, made the Sweet Sixteen, and finally went down in a close if ugly game. This team gave us a great ride in these last weeks. I'll remember them fondly.

swalburn

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:12 PM ^

Brutal way to lose a game but it is better when it hurts.  When you don't care at the end you have a problem.  I so enjoyed watching these guys play over the last several weeks.  I can't remember any team that improved more over the second half of the season.  I already miss Walton and Irvin.

Clarence Boddicker

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:12 PM ^

Great season--tough end, but the Ducks seemed too damn quick on d--couldn't get the offense untracked. Rahkman had a rough time of it out there and Wagner was definitely off. But no complains. They played far deeper into the season than I thought they would two months ago.

Sopwith

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:12 PM ^

is what's going to haunt, but if you'd told me at the start that a D Walton step-back three for the win to put us in the Elite Eight, hells yes I'd take that.

So proud of this team. Sometimes reality forgets to follow the Hollywood script at the end.

gordify

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:14 PM ^

Great run, perfect opportunity for Beilien to go out on top. Got beat by superior coaching. Out rebounded, giving up a ton of layups, no big man with balls. SHIT Defense.

baileyb7

March 24th, 2017 at 11:41 AM ^

Pump the brakes people.  The shortcomings of the Beilein method reared their ugly head again last night.  If you want a nice team that can challenge for a Big Ten title every few years and get to the Sweet 16 when they are hot stay the course.  If you want an elite program dominating conference play and making Final Four runs we need elite athletes, five stars, one and dones.  We need tough guys the crash the boards, block shots and play defense.  And box out on free throws.  If Mo and DJ come back we will be good next year (and B1G favorites) but we can't expect to compete with Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, et al with nice players that may get six minutes a game in the NBA in a few years.

MMB 82

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:14 PM ^

we were taking the last shot to try to win it, and it just didn't go down. This season has exceeded expectations, we get to hang a banner, and we Go Blue!

LSAClassOf2000

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:15 PM ^

When I look back at what I felt back in late January, I would have told you that you were probably being overly optimistic if you had said we'd be in the Sweet Sixteen after having won the Big Ten Championship. 

Even though I am still a bit heartbroken we won't be playing this weekend in the Elite Eight, everything taken into consideration, it has been a good season. Still a lot to do and a lot to work on, but that turnaround in the second half of the regular season and up to this moment was really, really fun.

B-Nut-GoBlue

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:16 PM ^

I feel pretty good right now.  I'm hurting but what a game.  It did leave me wanting more, it was a weird game, but I guess I feel okay.  Maybe it's because I'm going to drink some good beers tonight.  At the same time that game was just off...we could never just capture it like we did last weekend and the weekend before.  A shot or two that were in and out for us go in, it's likely a different story right now.

Moonlight Graham

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:17 PM ^

DJ and Derrick's triple-tries at the end go down against any of our previous 6 opponents. Just hit a wall. When DJ missed that bunny i felt it was ballgame. With what few big stars the big ten had this year now going to the NBA or at least graduating (Bridges, Swanigan, Trimble) we should be one of the favorites along with Minnesota(???). Future seems brighter than it did pre-Maverick Run.

mgobeast19

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:21 PM ^

Great game that came down to the last shot! It doesn't hurt too bad tho because it's extremely unlikely we'd beat Kansas. They're just smashing teams right now. Them and UCLA are on another level

alum96

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:29 PM ^

If you would have told me we could play with any team in the country 2 months ago I'd say SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE.  So for me this was a lot of gravy as I would have been just happy to make the tourney.  We played with fire 3 games in a row so eventually it caught up with us.  Some lack of athleticism seen out there but this is what we roll with. Hope the 2 big men stay and we can do some things next year.  Pretty sanguine about it really.

Spunky

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:24 PM ^

It was fun to witness the turnaround. I hope the players (and coaches) aren't too sad. They played so well the past couple of months and made us all proud.

UM Griff

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:25 PM ^

Too bad DW's last shot did not go, but we live and die by the three. These young men exceeded expectations with their development over the past two months. They played their hearts out, especially Zak and Derrick. Thank you John Beilein for all you do to mold these kids into great citizens and representatives of this university.

bronxblue

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:25 PM ^

They are hanging their first BTT tourney banner that won't be vacated, they won 26 games, went to the Sweet 16.  They have some questions for next year but also should have a decent amount of returning talent.  Considering people were calling for Beilen's head and expected them to barely make the NIT, this is a win in my book.

uminks

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:31 PM ^

Mid way through the season, I would have been happy if the team could make it to the tournament. But they got hot during the last 6 weeks and I thought Tonight they would win. Oh well, the 3 pointers did not go in and after doing a good job not allowing OR offensive rebounds, OR got offensive rebounds at the end of the game that won the game for them. Oh well, if Mo and Wilson stay we will have a good team next season.

mgoblu88

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:30 PM ^

and what M was facing for the rest of The Big 10 schedule, all of us were wondering if The NIT was possible. 6 weeks later, we are all upset after a tough loss in The Sweet 16. Therefore I say, what a great run and I'm proud of this team. Sorry to see Derrick and Zak go, but I'm already excited for next year. Those who stay, and are not swayed by the NBA-AU, will be champions.

Michifornia

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:42 PM ^

An unBEILEINvable season!!  These guys came back from the dead (or at least a coma) and gave us so much to cheer about the past few weeks especially.  Sad to see it end but definitely one that will be remembered for a long time.

Thanks Derrick and team!!

GO BLUE!!!

huntmich

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:46 PM ^

I say great season. This team enacted a complete turnaround midseason and got to the sweet sixteen. They may return several key players next year. It was a great ride.

UMinSF

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:48 PM ^

Fantastic, emotional run.

Michigan didn't play their best basketball tonight, but Oregon had something to do with that. 

Despite struggling through much of the game, they kept close and clawed their way back due to the superb play and leadership of our seniors. They had every chance to win. 

Could have grabbed a rebound, could have made the shot. It was still a great effort and an amazing run.

Very proud of this team, and thankful for the memories.