Jordan Morgan Appreciation Thread

Submitted by jsquigg on

I know it's been mentioned before, and Horford deserves credit too, but Jordan Morgan went from discouraged and third string to starter.  Many players wouldn't show the same loyalty to a school, especially as a player who may not have the best chance of making the NBA, but Jordan has not only stuck around, he's become a leader.  I've always loved his game, and as efficient as he was before McGary, he's unbelievably more efficient now.  I think he deserves a thread, especially after his effort tonight.

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aiglick

January 23rd, 2014 at 12:36 AM ^

He has been key offensively, defensively, and as a leader. He really has accomplished a lot and I'm proud of everything he's done. Keep on having a great fifth year JMo and congrats.

Joined: 11/27/2010

MGoPoints: 21513

CoachBP6

January 23rd, 2014 at 1:30 AM ^

I have been blown away at the quality of play without MM in the lineup. Assuming he makes a seamless transition back this team could once again be very scary come March.

Joined: 12/18/2013

MGoPoints: 7967

ThadMattasagoblin

January 23rd, 2014 at 1:34 AM ^

Caris is a big part of this team. He's inconsistent but will be very important to us this year and in future years. I was just responding to the overreactors in the game thread. They're the same people who think we'd be undefeated in football if Hoke was slim and wore a headset.

Joined: 08/24/2011

MGoPoints: 63999

Sllepy81

January 23rd, 2014 at 7:37 AM ^

I knew he would step up. My cousin spent all summer before last year working on his game with him in the offseason. He had a fear that McGary was taking his job and now that work is paying off. He could of accepted a bench role but wanted to start and be better. Happy for the guy, I didn't expect anything less from him.

Joined: 01/02/2013

MGoPoints: 7976

LSAClassOf2000

January 23rd, 2014 at 7:58 AM ^

Morgan's contributions on the defensive end in particular should carry this team pretty far by themselves, and when you combine that with Horford's input, you're getting stops and the odd double-double in a game from their combined stats. I do appreciate the great contribution that Morgan makes and the fact that he has been the difference in some key plays - including a couple last night. He's worked hard as a student and an athlete, from what I have seen, and he'll leave here a good basketball player and with undergraduate and graduate degrees from a top engineering program. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130603

TIMMMAAY

January 23rd, 2014 at 8:15 AM ^

I will admit, he has been playing pretty damn well this year. He had some struggles early, but he's been improving lately. Confidence seems to be a major issue for him, hopefully he holds it together through the end of the season. 

Joined: 09/08/2008

MGoPoints: 56286

Evil Empire

January 23rd, 2014 at 8:31 AM ^

He came in with really no accolades, redshirted due to injury, and then was a wall-to-wall starter, our third-leading scorer, and our only real post option that year.  He didn't have any help the next year either, Horford was hurt and our next "big man" was Smotrycz.  Missing layups is my only real complaint, and he's gotten much better and simply dunking the ball.  71% FG this year!  Plus he did this:

 

Joined: 07/29/2008

MGoPoints: 9077

BlueCube

January 23rd, 2014 at 8:43 AM ^

have saved this team from disaster this season with McGary going out. I certainly appreciate all his hard work.

I have to say that it's hard to single any one player on this team out for an appreciation thread though. Where would they have been last night if Spike hadn't stepped up again. How many teams would love to have this hidden gem on their team. All he does is hustle and create havoc to the opposing team. This is a team of a bunch of players who step up when needed. which I think will carry them a long way. The reason I say this is because I doubt anyone wants appreciation threads all over so I would like to say here I appreciate this whole team with TEAM being the key word. They seem to really get along and they fight for each other. I love the way they play for Beilein and I think this is going to be a huge sell to recruits going forward.

BEAT Staee!

Joined: 12/12/2013

MGoPoints: 45965

GRFS11

January 23rd, 2014 at 9:23 AM ^

Think about the teams we've beaten with little or no Mitch, and we've beaten some teams with some SIZE.  Florida State, Iowa, Wisconsin...you have to love the hustle that Morgan has, even if he isn't the biggest guy out there.  Well done.

Joined: 07/28/2010

MGoPoints: 1299

WhoopinStick

January 23rd, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^

Other than the end of last season when he didn't seem to be himself (was he hurt?) he has always given great effort and been very good in the pick and roll, taking charges and playing great rotational defense.  Glad to see JoMo got his MoJo back.  He's been great this year and one of the many reasons the team is looking good.

Joined: 03/16/2010

MGoPoints: 4799

creelymonk10

January 23rd, 2014 at 9:41 AM ^

Morgan and Horford, I don't know how they stay so composed after awful foul calls against them. I like how they both usually give a little sarcastic clap or smile, whereas I'm screaming wondering how a ref can be so blind.

Joined: 12/04/2009

MGoPoints: 10678

gipsydanger

January 23rd, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^

Morgan just seems to represent that vital component that every Beilein team has; a hard working attitude. Morgan is willing to do anything for the TEAM it seems like. I can remember his benching behind McGary last year and everyone wondering if he would transfer. After the failed lay in/tip in against Indiana his confidence could have been blown, but he has persevered. The theme of "We Work" really fits Morgan and this team.

Joined: 01/21/2014

MGoPoints: 83

AlwaysBlue

January 23rd, 2014 at 10:12 AM ^

early season interview when he said he was committed to doing whatever he could do to help his team. He presented it like a decision after a long thought process in which he considered hi options. There's a lesson for everyone there. JMo, like Stu and Novak, is a program building and defining man. All the talent in the world means nothing without their kind of character.

Joined: 11/23/2008

MGoPoints: 7854

Erik_in_Dayton

January 23rd, 2014 at 9:55 AM ^

Morgan is an embodiment of some of the most important things Coach Beilein brought to Michigan.  He plays smart.  He plays hard.  He fills his role but doesn't try to do more than that.  He appears to be a very good teammate.  I am and have been a huge fan. 

Joined: 12/03/2008

MGoPoints: 59071

Zoltanrules

January 23rd, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^

They have kept his head in the right frame of mind while getting the bigs to learn the game and understand their changing roles. This team is so unselfish and refreshingly has no drama. Morgan and Spike are two unsung heroes that just do what is needed to make the team better.

Joined: 08/23/2009

MGoPoints: 21089

EJG

January 23rd, 2014 at 3:29 PM ^

I thought Morgan was a solid, steady contributor his first 2-1/2 years until he rolled his ankle last year.  His mobility was severly limited and he lost his confidence because of it.  McGary stepped in last year and stepped up.  Due to his back injury, McGary was suffering this year from a bit of what plauged Morgan last year.  Morgan is obviously healthy and playing confident again and that is a huge plus for this team.

Joined: 04/04/2011

MGoPoints: 1249

victors2000

January 23rd, 2014 at 7:50 PM ^

Jor-dan Mor-gan! *clap, clap,clcp-clap-clap!*

Jor-dan Mor-gan! *clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!*

Great to see Fate had other plans for Jordan instead of him just fading deep into the bench!

Go Jordan! Go Blue!

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12797