M Hoops - First Take
I follow Michigan basketball intently, however life's demands rarely allow me the time to seach for some obscure media outled-feed-stream type thingy to watch the early season exhibitionish slate, so last night was my first look at the madness taking place inside Crisler. I have followed Michigan basketball intently, suffering along with Courtney Sims and Lester Abram in an empathatic fashion as opposed to at their expense in those years, and was anxious to take a look at this team.
For those that follow this blog primarily for football with a little basketball and hockey thrown in their during slow times, it is time to pay attention to Michigan basketball. I understand "Cleveland State, consider the opponent, don't get ahead of yourselves etc." and agree with all of that, but what Beilien trotted out there last night has the making of an elite basketball team, not next year, or once "these guys mature," also known in college basketball as the team that struggles for 4 seed and goes out in the second round, but in the Kentucky, Final Four, did you see that dunk kind of way. And the chemistry that is already evidenced with so many new faces is the kind of thing that creates special teams. I am excited about taking this show to Madison Square Garden, and I think Michigan maybe the show as opposed to part of it. These guys are good and this team may have been worth the long, long wait that hoops fans have endured to see Crisler really rocking again.
November 14th, 2012 at 10:25 AM ^
This team is gonna be a lot of fun to watch. I haven't been this excited about U of M hoops since the start of the Fab Five's sophomore year.
November 14th, 2012 at 10:49 AM ^
I liked this line:
"suffering along with Courtney Sims and Lester Abram in an empathatic fashion as opposed to at their expense in those years"
Ace's "haha, didn't Gavin Groninger and Avery Queen and all those guys suck" post yesterday kind of rubbed me the wrong way. It's not like we sucked because of them.
November 14th, 2012 at 10:56 AM ^
Could potentially be against three consecutive KenPom top 20 teams.
Pitt - #12
K-State - #16
NC State - #21
A 6-0 Michigan team having won Pre-season NIT and their ACC-B1G challenge matchup would mean it's time to start making your reservations for Atlanta. Long way to go to get there but hopefully Horford and McGary can make big strides the next couple weeks in their rehab/conditioning and Burke/Hardaway stay focused and locked in.
November 14th, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^
My main concern with the team is overall athleticism. McGary and Stauskas are pretty athletic, as is Biefeldt, along with most of the guys in our starting five. But, elite programs will have great athletes who play good defense, rebound well, and transition well so I'm curious to see how we match up there.
We've been able to give Burke some time on the bench, but another one of my concerns is our depth at the point guard position. Looks like Hardaway Jr. may be bringing the ball up a considerable amount, but I want to see how our backups dictate the pace of the game and set up the offense.
November 14th, 2012 at 1:11 PM ^
November 14th, 2012 at 2:07 PM ^
think a front line, starters and bench, of GR III, Morgan, Horford, and McGary fall into an athletically challenged category. Their athleticism is what impresses me the most.
November 14th, 2012 at 5:25 PM ^
I think we are athletic, generally speaking, but I want to see if we can take the next step and I think our lack of athleticism has been a bit of a weakness with Beilein's teams thus far. If we can match up in the athleticism department with MSU and OSU, let alone Kansas, Kentucky, etc., than along with our other strengths, than I think we'll be legit contenders.
November 14th, 2012 at 6:06 PM ^
enough. (I think we are more athletic than Staee right now)
November 14th, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^
These upcoming games will be good tests for this team. I may be impatient and may want to watch this team play again sooner as opposed to later, but having a week to practice and get in conditioning will be a great benefit for the players.
November 14th, 2012 at 8:34 PM ^