MBB Appreciation thread
Seeing as it's been published in USA Today today (sorry)...
...some recognition of Belien's and the team's incredible work this year since losing Mitch.
Given how many of us have felt we've been overlooked for the struggles we've faced, it's nice to see the national attention for how the team has perservered and performed.
February 26th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
I appreciate the men's basketball team.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
I appreciate your appreciation
February 26th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
February 26th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
Thanks to this guy for starting the renaissance.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
I know right?!
I was listening to 97.1 (I know, why do I even) but Valenti was talking about the state of the programs and whatnot. Mentioned that 1 player, Trey Burke, turned our program around, much like Mateen Cleaves did for Sparty.
It's not some big notion, or wasn't anything offensive, so we don't need to hate. But it is just that I don't look at it that way at all. Trey Burke was the final nail IMO. So many guys had their hands on this thing. Novak and his gritty leadership. Stu's HUGE threes that brought excitement. Jordan Morgan's presence for the past 4 years. Darius Morris' play at PG that left us wondering how this 3 star kid Trey Burke could ever fill his shoes. Beilein's exsistance as a human being. Big name players based off who their father or brothers were, in THJ, GRIII, & Horford. Outside of their excellent play, it's the added star power that can help bring in guys like McGary, Donnel, Walton, etc.
So many hands that have touched this program. Turned it into what is happening today. TGFTAOL*. I just wish people outside of the program, and mgoblog, can see it that way.
*Thank God for the Aneurysm of Leadership
February 26th, 2014 at 12:58 PM ^
There isn't any one star component to it. It all works together. That's why I don't see this ending any time soon. The key part may be Beilein, but even in his case, I think they will be able to bring in a quality replacement. He may be found internally or externally but we will have a choice of quality candidates because of what Beilein has put together.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
I am one of those students who is becoming more of a basketball guy than a football guy at this point. Watching football the last 5-6 years has become a chore, while basketball gives you games like Sunday (and all of this year, and all of last year, and the year before that). Watching a John Beilein offense operate in sync is a wonderful thing.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
"As soon as Mitch McGary was out and done, they took off," says Nebraska coach Tim Miles, who was swept by Michigan this season. "That's not anything to do with Mitch McGary except that now, everybody knows where they fit in. They knew he was not there. They accepted their certain roles. Then, they blossomed as a team."
It's going to make it all the harder for be mad at him when inevitably they beat us at home some time soon. I'm so conflicted already.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Who knew opposing Big Ten coaches didn't have to be fantastically obnoxious douchenozzles? But seriously, I'm a big fan of Tim Miles as well and they deserve to make the tournament this year. He will be leaving Nebraska for a big job within a few years.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
Given the talk of him challenging Belien for COY in the B1G, it's hard not to like him.
If only the football coaches across the conference were as likable...and as successful.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:32 PM ^
Just saw Yahoo has a nice article on him today
Given his age and track record, he's got a Beilein-like trajectory in front of him. I think he'll be one of the most respected coaches in the college game in time
February 26th, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^
I love this team. Imagine how good they will be next year if no one leaves for the draft.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
This would be a much better appreciation thread if it wasn't framed as an appreciation thread. I really appreciate MBB, but that comes with being a fan of MBB and their success. It's redundant, and kind of dumb.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:23 PM ^
It would not be a normal week without an Appreciation Thread of some kind. Quota met.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
with the linked article I was intending more to note that there was finally some appreciation coming from somewhere else.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
"At the same time, we go into where we find out from that point that these guys can still make plays on their own. They're out of that shadow." - Beilein, on Levert and Stauskas
I know there was a lot of concern back in the fall about how versatile this team could really be with Tim and Trey now gone, but I would think that now we have the answer to this question. The roles have been reapportioned and adjusted beautifully and the offense is indeed more efficient than it was last year (1.20 PPP on average) and it seems like we really haven't lost a big step in ball handling either (1.61 A/T ratio in conference play).
February 26th, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^
Impoosibruuu!!
February 26th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
only have hangnails and such. This is inconsequential compared to the multiple amputees gritting it out up in East Lansing.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:43 PM ^
John Beilein, Zack Novak, Stu Douglass and Trey Burke.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
February 26th, 2014 at 4:40 PM ^
Agreed. I can't pick four though. These guys have all been huge:
Novak
D Morris (the butterfly)
Morgan
Hardaway
Burke
Stauskas
To a lesser extent Stu, CJ Lee and Merritt. Can we have two Rushmores?
I always felt Darius was the turning point. Yes, Novak was the glue guy, but we needed a true PG. Darius was the first highly ranked guy that Beilien got. He was from Cali, not a local product. It was a tough sell to get him here. That really opened up the offense and showed guys like Trey Burke what a great PG could do in this sytem.
February 26th, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
February 26th, 2014 at 2:21 PM ^
Coach B,most important recurit to date...Manny Harris.
February 26th, 2014 at 4:34 PM ^
Manny and DeShawn were Amaker recruits. Yeah Beilein had to retain them when he came in, but they weren't "his"
February 26th, 2014 at 3:03 PM ^
I always thought their leadership early on was key and they get forgotten - understandably - because their time with Beilein was brief and Stu and Zack were long-time faces of the team.
Not saying they'd be on our Mount Rushmore...but they might get cool statues or something
February 26th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
I have been a big basketball fan ever since Daniel Horton and Les Abram committed, but I am happy to see so many other UM fans starting to pay attention to basketball too. Coach Beilein was a great hire and he has rebuilt the program in a way that should make every UM fan proud. This season has had its ups and downs, but it has been fun to watch the team gel and improve as a group. We can only dream that they all come back next season with a healthy Mitch!