Men's BBall Unranked in AP - Arizona #1
The new AP Poll has us leaving the top 25 (deservedly) and our next opponent, Arizona, taking the top spot. If Arizona can handle their business on Wed night, we'll have a shot at the number 1 team in the land on our home floor. Hopefully, we can figure out our Trey-less half court offense. Great time for a signature win. Go Blue!
December 9th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 2:25 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 2:31 PM ^
see why we woudn't. There is like two weeks after than until the Bowl Game. And would we not just have like an alumni band of something if that was an issue?
December 9th, 2013 at 2:55 PM ^
The Alumni Band was supposed to play the game, but they were informed a few weeks ago that their seats had been sold.
December 9th, 2013 at 5:45 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 6:04 PM ^
I posted this in a Dear Diary recently. Yes, the athletic department canceled the alumni pep band, and thanked them for not making a big deal about it.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:56 PM ^
This is true. Despite putting up advertisements that tickets were still available due to students returning them, Athletics sold the band's seats and will be using a DJ instead. The band was told there were no seats available for them. The ads went up the day the band was told. Go figure.
The game was supposed to be played by the Alumni Band, as longstanding MMB policy (for whatever reason) is that the student band doesn't play at games scheduled during finals. It was on the Alumni Band's schedule. So this one is on Athletics.
December 9th, 2013 at 3:55 PM ^
That is disappointing.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^
I've been relatively quiet on the whole "Dave Brandon ruins experience" meme, since I kind of think it is overstated by Brandon detractors, but this is pretty awful. He sold the band's seats???
December 9th, 2013 at 4:22 PM ^
That appears to be the case, even when seats were apparently available. The story isn't being publicized in wake of the MMB-to-Jerryworld fiasco, in which Dave Brandon pretty much threw the MMB under the bus while the MMB (wisely, in retrospect) took the high road. The Alumni Band was specifically asked not to make this instance a public issue.
Though I suspect people will notice once they're singing along to a tape of The Victors on Saturday.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:49 PM ^
I not only feel bad for the band, but the people that paid good money to be there. Even at basketball games, the MMB and/or the Alumni Band are fantastic elements of the atmosphere and the game, maybe even more so than the football games since the setting is much more intimate. It's even a great part of the television experience.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:45 PM ^
is a D***** B**. par for the course with that guy. $$ uber alles.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:40 PM ^
I too have been avoiding the whole "Dave Brandon is a problem" discussion. I mean, I was for lights in the Big House and night games and I had a blast at the Big Chill. However, I read this and the replies and I just get this image of Ricky Bobby with "He sold the windshield!"
"This DJ is dangerous and inconvenient to the U of M experience, but I do love paying customers." - DB
I feel old for complaining about this...
December 9th, 2013 at 4:52 PM ^
Haha great Talladega Nights reference, but that's basically it. And some of those paying customers are paying to be at a college basketball game, where there are elements like a live band. I had student season tickets during the relatively dark period of Michigan Basketball, but the band was always a highlight and part of the experience of attending those games. What a shame.
December 9th, 2013 at 8:59 PM ^
And here I thought mgobaran was kidding around with this DJ Jazzy Brandon image a few spots above. Amazing.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^
Someone make sure he shows up for this game. Not trying to be too harsh, but he really needs to step up in a big game as he will be the key for this team's offense going forward
December 9th, 2013 at 2:27 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 2:32 PM ^
On trying to solve the riddle that is GR3 - totally dominant athlete who shows up in spurts.
The reason I call out Stauskas is because I can see Michigan winning the game with something like 6 points from GR3 but not with similarly low production from Nik.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:49 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 3:53 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 3:59 PM ^
I'd rather not page the true GRIII to show up, as that would essentially be asking for someone who lightly jogs around the court with the sole intent of waiting for someone to throw up an uncontested alley oop to show up. I'd rather not. GRIII is a hell of an athlete and I hear is great at working out, but he's shown very little urgency or desire on improving his playing style during game time. I think we know who the true GRIII is, so if we are paging anyone, it should be his dad to give him a firm kick in the pants.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:44 PM ^
He stepped up quite nicely in the Florida State game. Even in the Charlotte game, he was our leading scorer (it was the bench and GR3 who we didn't get enough production out of). It was also apparent that he wasn't at full strength against Duke.
Stauskas isn't the problem.
December 9th, 2013 at 3:25 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 8:16 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 2:37 PM ^
It makes sense that there would be no pep band since finals start friday and continue next week. Saturday is an official university study day. Can't calim to know anything about the alumni band though.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:56 PM ^
The AD sold their seats, otherwise the Alumni Band would be playing at the game.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 3:22 PM ^
We play really well at home. Our three loses were away from Crisler and we've been dominating (admittedly very inferior competition) at home. I think we've got a good shot
December 9th, 2013 at 2:42 PM ^
Even if Arizona loses on Wednesday, they'll come in ranked #1.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^
soo will we rush the court with an upset W?
December 9th, 2013 at 2:49 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 2:49 PM ^
So we have games vs. four out of the top five teams?
December 9th, 2013 at 3:00 PM ^
I am just hoping to see some kind of growth with this team. It has become tiresome watching this team struggle at the onset of our big games.
December 9th, 2013 at 3:12 PM ^
Exactly how I feel. I may have a bit more patience though.
fell in love with this basketball program due to the grittiness of the team, & the players ability to learn and grow. To expect a bunch of freshman and sophomores to be world beaters right away this season is a bit too much IMO. It's not like our kids come in with Kentucky's recruiting profiles. (Don't get me wrong, our kids have talent too, and I am super excited about them).
I think our team needs some time to gel, grow, and figure out how life without Trey Burke is. I will even overlook a borderline tough road early loss or two in the Big Ten. I think by the end of the year, all the scratching and clawing, digging in, learning and growing can lead this team farther than a win over Duke or Arizona in the non conference.
That being said, beat Arizona!
December 9th, 2013 at 4:24 PM ^
I can understand being frustrated, but "tired"? You better rest up, b/c this team is incredibly young -- the most important position (PG) is a true freshman, and the best players are true sophomores, one coming off an injury. It isn't until you get to our 7th or 8th best player before you hit actual upperclassmen. Beyond all that, they're trying figure out how to replace the best player in college b-ball from last year.
As such, they are going to 'grow' in spurts. They'll not only likely continue to struggle in big games at times, but the most likely best-case scenario is they'll continue to be hot/cold for the majority of the season, before they finally get used to playing with each other & in their roles in big time moments, earn a #4/5 seed and hopefully peak at tourney time.
Heck, look at Kentucky. They have freshmen easily more talented than us, and they've already lost twice. Or more immediately, contrast our roster with Arizona - they've got the mix of talent and experience which lends itself to being #1 early in the season.
December 9th, 2013 at 3:06 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 3:44 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 4:11 PM ^
Can a preseason top 10 team "shock the world"?
December 9th, 2013 at 3:21 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 3:33 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 3:54 PM ^
KenPom has Arizona #12 and Michigan #20, FWIW. According to that, wouldn't seem like such a mismatch. Not sure that there's enough data at this point in the season for good statistical comparisons of teams though.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^
Maybe that is why I feel this game is a toss up. We need to rebound well and we need to continue to learn how to operate in the half court without Trey Burke. Walton is still learning, and when Levert operates at the point, it seems like the intent (or at least his intent) is to get all the way to the rack. That aggresiveness is nice, but if that is his MO, then it can stagnate the offense while everyone just watches him do his thing. Trey had such a nice ability to use ball screens and penetration to both get to the rim and to find open players. Because the rest of the team always knew that they might be the recipient of some Burke magic, it made for an effective offense. We've temporarily lost that. But I have faith in the staff to tailor the offensive philosophy to the skills of the team. And good point by the posters that Ariz will be number 1, even if they lose Wed. I hope they don't though because then, coming in to our place, they are the number one that is about to fall out of the top spot regardless of the result of our game.
December 9th, 2013 at 5:19 PM ^
That' actually how Massey basically sees this game as well, giving Arizona only a tiny edge at 53% for an estimated win probability and a projected median score of 69-68. On paper, Arizona may have an edge on defense but the offensive are, from a production standpoint, rather comparable. Granted, limited sample size qualification applies there as we aren't far into the season.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:46 PM ^
Michigan will win on Saturday. I'm quite confident. We are better than our record, McGary looks like he might be himself now and the freshmen are getting comfortable. This is a classic "Water finding it's level" statement game.
And the #1 ranking doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but as we have seen, it sure seems to make teams play tight once they get it. Especially on the road.
December 9th, 2013 at 5:07 PM ^
regardless of what Zona does on Wednesday we are still playing the #1 team in the land (rankings update weekly). Go get em guys
December 9th, 2013 at 5:16 PM ^
If you thought we would be world beaters your insane. The top group on this team offensively is Freshman and Sophmores
December 9th, 2013 at 6:19 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 11:36 PM ^
Just seems the vocal majority of this board is bitch and moan. I feel that mentality has lots to do with not being able to talk shit to other fan bases.
December 9th, 2013 at 5:57 PM ^
Basketball will turn it around. Beilein is too good of a coach.