McGary vs Morgan (revisited) + Horford, who do you start?

25-30 min per game... and starting.  I think he brings a lot of energy off the bench, but I think that energy is just as useful at the start of a game as it is later. 

Back when OKC had James Harden, he accepted, even embraced his role as running with the 2nd team offense, and regularly was a double digit scorer.

My opinion is this. The move evenly scorers are spread out over both units, the better the sustained play. Let Stauskas and McGary run the second team. 

Morgans skillset is badly needed to defend. Did you see what OSU did to us in the paint? It was getting ugly.

Morgan can be counted on as a decent scoring option when the PG (Morris and Burke) feeds him. McGary can create his own baskets...he's more independent

I think there's no doubt that McGary's got much more upside and might even be better right now, but I think there's also some real value in starting Morgan if he's healthy. He provides savy and defense and after all, McGary will get the same minutes whether he starts or not. Let the young pup keep growing and learning. I'm sure we'll be seeing him starting next year if not sooner.

McGary coming off the bench has been working pretty well, but if Horford or Morgan don't step it up on Saturday I'd start McGary the next game.

I want this team to go far in the tourney.  One thing that always worries me about freshmen is hitting the proverbial wall by mid-season.   I like that McGary is relatively fresh at this point, so I don't mind seeing his minutes kept at 20-25 max.   He played more against OSU and absolutely deserved it - and we frankly needed it -  although he was huffing and puffing a little bit.  

McGary starting?  It doesn't matter to me.  He seems happy with his role and is an absolute joy to watch.   I've never seen a big cause so many turnovers away from the basket.

It seems like Coach B is pulling the starting 5 right away after their first foul anyways. 

Ohio State game:

Horford got his first foul at 18:07 to go in the 1st half.  So I guess in this game the starting center got less than 2 min before getting subbed. 

Pulling the 5 after their first foul has been the MO ever since Morgan got injured. 

Indiana game:

Horford got this first foul at 19:27 to go in the 1st half.  McGary came in right away for Horford.

I cannot stand Hulls. He has that unique punchable face.

with either of them starting, they both good enough D and rebound well enough to be out on the floor at any time... i just want morgan to be able to play more then 3 mins in a game again, so horford can go back to playing his 5 mins a game....

horford is such a liablity out on the floor right now, he thinks to much and is not sure of himself when he does make a move to the basket... he needs to grow a set and just take the ball to the basket and not worry about the shot getting blocked or not making it... i do love his rebounding though...

Morgan starting, 20 mins.
McGary off the bench 25-30 mins.
GR3 takes a breather, caps at 35 mins and we play two bigs for at least five minutes a game.

I like Mitch's energy coming off the bench this year.  Generally other teams don't have someone to match what he brings.  He still (to my knowledge) hasnt started yet this year and I dont see a need to do that now.  Total amount of minutes and who finishes the game is more important to me than who starts.  Having quality big men who each deserve minutes is a great problem to have. Go Blue!

This is such a great problem to have. I love you Beilein. 

McGary has been fantastic off the bench...if it ain't broke, don't fix it

Morgan starts. Simple as that. Upperclassman and one of the best pick setters in the Big Ten. That's vital when we run a pick and roll-based offense. McGary's energy off the bench is a great game changer. I wouldn't mind seeing a lineup with McGary at the 4 and Morgan at the 5 for a few minutes per game. 

They all have a different style to their game.  McGary is a definite low post player with the enthusiasm of the Energizer Bunny.  But, going 100% all the tme wears him down and then he starts to make mistakes.

Horford is a highpost player who can score and has a light touch on his shot.  He's too "brittle"for the low post and will get muscled out of the way by more physical players.  His game is finesse and athleticism.

Morgan is a hybrid of the two.  While he doesn't excel at either, he can be more than adequate at both.  Right now his greatest asset is experience.

Horford - start

McGary - off the bench.  20-25 minutes a game

Morgan - to the hyperbaric chamber, or voodoo doctor, or massage parlor - whatever it takes to get the ankle healed.

The Reon Dawson comment at the end of the OP, is, IMO, spot on.  The kid is a Wolverine now, and we should support him.

I like that we have two good options, though neither are currently great.  McGary has lots to learn still, but his energy and passion make things happen.  Horford seems more than adequate.  I guess I'd like to see Horford starting, but McGary playing the lion's share of the game (25-30 min).  This gives McGary time to watch the game and get a feel for what he needs to do, and, hopefully, the coaches are explaining what he needs to focus on when he gets in the game.

That said, what is this post doing in the football thread?

I am pleased with how Coach B is divvying up the minutes, but  like many of you, I wouldn't mind seeing more of two Bigs playing together. I think this will happen against MSU and Wisco.

Basically Michigan has a 4 headed monster at Center. Here are the stats of Morgan, Horford, Bielfeldt, and McGary. at the bottom I shaved a little off the totals to compensate for the rare time Coach B plays them together. All in all, great stats from the 5 position, especially in such a perimeter, spread the floor, based scheme. 14 point 12 boards out of the Center position is pretty damn good and probably only going to get better.