The importance of Eli
We've seen multiple times now that Eli is more important to this team than what his statistics show. He's a good defender, a good 3 pt shooter, not just a shooter... but it seems like it's more than that.
What do you think it is?
Can we nuke the thread, but preserve this post?
this deserves so much more than this blog can give
What do you think it is?
He brings a really cool car...
There is a substantial drop off when Chauncee takes his place, and a cataclysmic drop off when Zeb comes in.
Who is Chauncee? Thanks.
Chauncee Gardener?
deleted.
Billups?
Oh. Ok, thanks.
Gardner.
*Ba-Ba-Ba-Billups
He just brings a ton of veteran intelligence and experience to the floor. And I think his spacing and command of the game is noticeable when he's on the court compared to off the court. He always plays hard and he can knock down shots or take it to rack and he always seems to make the right play. He's very subtly the most important dude on this team.
I like Zeb and T-Williams and liked the minutes they got early in the season. But JH tightened his rotation during the heart of the season and they didn't see that much time. I was hoping that after the long layoff and for the B1G tournament, they would get more minutes to 1) get them in the groove 2) get them experience on the floor with the starters 3) take some of the burden off the core rotation. There were a handful of blowouts I would've liked to see them come in before garbage time. And now, I wish they had gotten some more work because Zeb seems pretty raw for this late in the season and he hasn't logged too many minutes with the starters.
It is hard to be too nitpicky about Juwan’s coaching, but this is one area he could improve. The starters have improved over the season, but potentially key bench players have not.
As long as he is back before the round of 32 game, maybe a few good things csn happen in the making lemonade from lemons vein. One, for the future, Howard will learn to get those guys who may be needed in case of injury more game time to grow and in the near term, maybe a week or two of playing with the starters or in key reserve roles will force that growth.
We can beat a team like MSU or Maryland without Eli, so Brown, Jackson and Williams may all get three games and two weeks to show that improvement.
I like Eli and I'd agree that his absence will be a big hit to the team, but I don't think he's the most important person on the team. That would be Hunter Dickinson. What would the team's record be without him?
Record without Dickinson, 0-0. Record without Eli, 0-2 (Hunter was in both of those games). The 2nd game against Maryland, they shut Hunter down, Michigan still won.
Love Dickinson, I'm just saying, let's not pretend there isn't an obvious impact when Brooks is out of the lineup for this team.
Maryland kept his scoring down by double-teaming him, but he just found the open man and we burned them on the perimeter. He's a terrific passer for a big guy and hurt them that way.
He's also the only good interior defender we have. Davis isn't quick enough and Johns isn't strong enough.
I feel like each of the five starters would be really tough to replace. They all bring something unique to the table, that we can't really replace.
But yeah, the most important guy is probably Dickinson.
Probably his crocheting ability. His doilies are on another level.
Starter at the 2, depth at PG on a team without a ton of depth. You'd like to see at least 1 quality back up in each spot, or at the worst a guy who can cover 2 spots in a pinch like Johns can at the 4 and 5. Without Brooks, the bench is shortened twice. Once behind Brown and once behind Smith. His absence is 1.5 guys instead of the usual 1.
As for when he's on the court, he's good at finding open spots when he's off the ball to hit catch and shoot 3s, which provides spacing. The OSU game comes to mind where Dickinson skip passed to Brooks who moved himself 5 feet towards the corner for an open look. Brown can replicate that, but when Smith has to get a breather they lose an outside shooter and maturity. Defensively, Brown can generally replace him, but you're still down that spot once Smith has to go out. Overall, Brooks doesn't have the highs of Brown (height and more athleticism - though Brooks is no JJ Redick) but he's more consistent and calm on both ends of the floor. That, and Michigan isn't as efficient with someone other than the PG running sets. We've seen Livers to some degree start off possessions, but not to a replacement level like Brooks can.
Other general leadership qualities as well that don't necessarily show up in the box score through PPG or Steals.
This is a really good point. Eli is great but in a way he’s more honored in the breach because our depth is lacking.
Webb has been saying Mike may return, hoping Eli does as well. Even if Zeb takes a sophomore jump there’s not going to be a lot of non freshmen depth
don't we have a pretty good guard coming in as a freshman next year?
Have to reset our expectation of freshman PGs a little because under Beilein they were usually not great. Took some time to get to the point where they were consistent contributors. No idea if that's how things will work out under Howard.
That being said, Collins is a very good PG, but needs to work on his jump shot and having an upperclassman PG would be preferable to relying on a true freshman at a position that has generally taken time to break in.
I have zero stats to back this up, but I've heard that he's "The Straw that Stirs the Drink," a big "Glue Guy," and perhaps even an "X Factor" -- Although that last one has yet to be verified with my sources.
I laughed. It was loud.
He’s got the “it” factor and “plays to win”. I’m sure there are more asinine platitudes we can wear out here.
Eli’s just pretty good at about everything? Reminds me a lot of MAAR in that way even though their games are different.
Best on the team at staying in front of his man so there are cascading matchup issues that expose Michigan’s lack of perimeter depth when he’s out.
On offense he’s a plus shooter and cutter, runs the break well, gets guys in the right place, adds some secondary playmaking and ability to get to the lane (even if it’s for a floater). There’s no sub who can do all of that.
He moves the ball, cuts well as you said, attacks close outs, and can regularly hit 3’s he steps into off the catch (he’s not getting his own shot). They need him.
It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. If the rest of the guys don’t come ready to play with maximum effort they will lose. Like Herb Brooks said, “You don’t have enough talent to win on talent alone”.
He's a heck of a golfer too. Saw him playing with CJ Baird this summer and the dude can bomb it.
he rubs turkey poop all over his body to repel defenders
He stole that from Steve Everitt. (Or did he just puke on himself? Eh, I'm getting old.)
I'm more familiar with The Book of Eli.
If this Eli can do all that shit while blind, certainly our Eli can play through a high ankle sprain...
That is a valid point.
It is more like the Playbook of Eli.
those floating high banking lay-up drives are impossible to stop and he's good with his left hand as well.
Nothing compared to the importance of being earnest.
Maybe he was born with it, maybe it’s maybelline
I know the person who wrote that slogan.
Michigan's success this year is based on having 5 players who can single-handedly change the flow of the game in our favor. Lose any one of these 5 and we're a bit off. Chaundee can do it too, but has been in a lower profile / more specialized roll. Brooks this year has played with great confidence. He's fast and ready to shoot at all times on offense, and he's scrappy and experienced on defense.
I love me some Vinny Johnson (Chaundee Brown) but you dont want to replace Joe Dumars (Eli Brooks) with him in the playoffs.
VJ calls Bullshit.
Ill take VJ Chaundee and Joey D for a last second shot. Its getting there for the first 39.9 minutes im worried about.
I get the point...just wanted to re-live the moment!
How beautiful was that shot? You could be 7'4" and you werent blocking that!
We can’t really afford any injuries to starters or Brown. Davis is capable as backup. Johns can provide some size and athleticism on the wing and when needed at the 5. Basically, we have 5 quality starters who complement each well, one very good 6th man to sub in at guard/wing, one viable backup for limited time at the 5, and one playable but not totally reliable sub at the wing or as a small 5. We need to be healthy, particularly at 1-6, to make a good run in this postseason.
I’d rather have him in the lineup if that’s what you’re asking