Juwan's Big Picture
Ok, first, let me get out of the way that in light of what's going on with the football team, and after the success Michigan basketball has had for the past decade, I'm really not pulling my hair out over this year's results. Disappointing, sure, but undoubtedly even more so for the team (and its coach) than for the fans, and ... I'm happy to give them a pass this year anyway.
More importantly, don't you guys see? We encounter serious struggles this year, all our high value players are forced to stay for at least one more year (so not only coming back, but coming back with a serious chip on their shoulder and much more experience), and we get some real shooters and point guards from the portal (or from next year's freshmen).
I mean ... it's genius. Whatever happens this year -- and sure, let's hope this team rebounds and thrives -- it's the long game that matters, my friends. Next year we absolutely thrash.
(Also: Go Blue. Beat Iowa!)
December 4th, 2021 at 5:27 AM ^
It's not about getting guys to stay. It's about teaching.
It's so early, man. Not a lost season. Will still be great. Might still go. And if so, kudos.
Juwan loves those young men like sons. Teaches them as a father. That's his big picture.
December 4th, 2021 at 8:00 AM ^
Well said, big picture is we are lucky to have Howard.
December 4th, 2021 at 8:17 AM ^
Of course, until conference season starts this is just about how the team is playing mediocre basketball right now at the moment. But it's great watching juwan Howard lead his team through adversity so I'm honestly not feeling bad about the team although there's plenty of mistakes being made in the floor.
December 4th, 2021 at 6:09 AM ^
One thing I noticed from attending the UNC game was how much our young players didn’t understand spacing. Coach Howard was pointing and directing them where to stand and go all night long. I was amazed at how much he pointing and directing he did as compared to Coach Davis on the other side.
December 4th, 2021 at 6:24 AM ^
I don't think it's Coach Howards' master plan to blow the season so all the freshman stay for next year, lol. We lost A TON of production last year, starters and bench play; you don't replace that talent and experience overnight. We have too many new pieces in the mix, and the beginning of the season has been difficult. The guys are going to learn, things will get better, but for this year, not next.
December 4th, 2021 at 6:36 AM ^
JH is a good coach and every program has down years. That being said it is way too early to say this will be a down year. Lots of coaching to be done and lots of games to be played.
December 4th, 2021 at 6:43 AM ^
Better for the team to struggle in the begging of the season than at the end. The bottom line is to make the tournament.
December 4th, 2021 at 6:56 AM ^
Houstan and Diabate are gone regardless of the season outcome. The NBA drafts on potential more than any other league. They both have incredibly high ceilings and NBA execs see that.
December 4th, 2021 at 7:33 AM ^
I’d like to wager you a Michigan Jersey that Caleb stays we can take this up at a later date. Let me know if you’re game. Lol! Go Blue! Beat the Iowa!
December 4th, 2021 at 11:10 AM ^
Diabate probably is gone, but Houstan needs to step up his game to get drafted. A skinny wing shooting 32.8% from the floor doesn't make scouts drool.
December 4th, 2021 at 7:43 AM ^
Now it makes it easier to understand how UK struggled as a team even with a deep roster or new recruits.
December 4th, 2021 at 8:54 AM ^
This comment hits home. I remember watching some of those teams and wondering how with all that talent they weren't wiping the floor with their opponents. It also makes me think of some of the early Beilein teams that would absolutely give it to more talented opponents. Finally, it also makes me appreciate (and feel slightly pained about losing Isiah) when you mash experience, talent, and execution all at once like last year.
As for this year, they look like a bubble team right now. I'm optimistic it gets better, but the immediate solution -- they start canning threes -- doesn't look viable, and as others have said, they aren't connected on the floor, especially on D. But I'm prepared to basically throw the remote at the TV whenever they play teams with a giant big.
December 4th, 2021 at 7:50 AM ^
Its not a lost season YET....However if they dont turn things around and QUICK it could be..I saw ZERO improvement from the Arizona debacle to the NC debacle and that is VERY Troubling
December 4th, 2021 at 7:58 AM ^
Wasn’t as bad as it looked: Love just started canning NBA threes to break open a close defensive matchup, but there were a lot of defensive improvements.
I'll trust MattEM's opinion on improvement.
December 4th, 2021 at 8:07 AM ^
This here is what concerns me. I'm not seeing a lot of defensive improvements. That's the most frustrating thing to me is their defense looks lost.
December 4th, 2021 at 9:44 AM ^
Once again, I'll defer to Matt EM saying the defense has improved a lot but love just went ham.
December 4th, 2021 at 10:14 AM ^
I DONT see that improvement..whats he going to say? of course hes going to say that..It didnt show
December 4th, 2021 at 2:01 PM ^
Why would MattEM say that if he didn't see it?
December 4th, 2021 at 8:22 AM ^
For me - January was when I took a temperature check again. This doesn’t get fixed overnight. Another month and let’s see where we are at.
December 4th, 2021 at 8:45 AM ^
We haven’t even started conference play yet and people are already throwing in the towel?!?? GO BLUE!!!〽️ Beat Iowa!!
December 4th, 2021 at 10:10 AM ^
This is one of the slowest starts in many years so it is hard getting used to. Once this MBB team clicks, they should go on a roll.
December 4th, 2021 at 10:15 AM ^
Witrh Zero quality non conferernce wins they will have to realllllly improve and do well in the conference just to qualify now
December 4th, 2021 at 10:42 AM ^
What concerns me the most about this team isn't the (lack of) shooting. It's the lack of ball movement. Our offensive possessions vs. NC were mostly flat-footed affairs, quite honestly. And we looked absolutely GASSED out there, too -- both on offense and defense.
I have full faith & confidence in Coach Howard and his staff to right the ship, but...it's not gonna be an easy task. Of course, THEY know that much better than we do.
December 4th, 2021 at 10:56 AM ^
I look at every game as an opportunity to win and to get better. Shooting , particular 3 point shooting did look to be a potential weak point before the season ever began. The hope was there would be compensations in other areas. Spacing and defense is another matter, not sure how many practices/scrimmages/games total we have had to this point, but I don't think its unreasonable to expect/hope that would be better by now, or at least that it would be very soon.
With all of the excitement over having 3 McDonald's All Americans though, I am reminded that though their is no substitute for talent, Team composition and cohesion is even more important (assuming a minimum threshold of talent).
December 4th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
Yeah, but Diabate is rising. If he keeps going like this he'll be gone...
Also, great to see Franz doing so well...
December 4th, 2021 at 11:40 AM ^
Beat SDSU and Beat Iowa
December 4th, 2021 at 12:04 PM ^
Clearly, Howard has (had?) an idea what he wanted his "best" lineup to be, and he has given those players time to try to get up to speed. Now, he's tinkering, as he sees what's not working.
I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, and I'm giving him time. It's not like he all-of-a-sudden has forgotten how to coach. It'll work out -- maybe not as quickly as we would like, but we'll get there.
December 4th, 2021 at 12:57 PM ^
Negged because I was expecting to see a large picture of Juwan Howard