Michigan Basketball Open Thread
Michigan vs. Alabama A&M trying to get to 9 wins. Hopefully our bench looks a little stronger today.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^
I get negged everytime I bring this up but why is Smotrycz allowed to dribble outside the arc? He turns it over constantly. Pass it to a guard, we have plenty.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:14 PM ^
December 17th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^
but spacing and ball movement is key to the offence.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
I'm fine with him driving (not totally actually but thats not my main complaint) and getting passed to as part of the offense. It's when he rebounds and thinks he can take it coast to coast. Or when he tries to handle it against a guard outside. He looks so awkward. I like Smotrycz but he has to know his own strengths and weaknesses. He's a great shooter and uses his height to pull down a lot of boards, but his handle is not good.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:42 PM ^
You it hit right on the head...why does he need to dribble so damn much?!
Even when he gets a rebound, he immediately puts it on the floor to look ahead for the outlet pass. NO! Chin the ball and give a strong chest past to the guard, it's not that hard.
I loved Smotz after that Duke game last year because I think he's the only one other than Hardaway that didn't get swept away by the moment in that first half. But he's been so frustrating this year. We miss Horford for sure.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^
By the way, games on BTN.
Stream: http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/98546/1/watch-alabama-a&m-vs-%2818%2…
December 17th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
Winning! Thank you. Much appreciated.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:09 PM ^
On BTN for those that have it. 256 on comcast
December 17th, 2011 at 12:17 PM ^
TIIIMMMMAAAAHHHHH
December 17th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
get some early pt.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
I predict that after the bowl game the "Will Burke enter the draft?" thread will become the most repeated topic for the next several months. I don't expect him to. And if THJ stays as well, which I'm also expecting, plus McGary... wow. 1 seed in 2013?
December 17th, 2011 at 12:27 PM ^
If Hardaway stays next year we will be nasty. Burke, THJ, Robinson at the 3?, McGary, Morgan as our starting 5. Finally a decent looking bench with Smotrycz, Vogrich and Horford. Hopefully Burnbridge earns some minutes. Should be a big year.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^
I forgot we'll have Robinson too. If he can step up early the way Burke has it could be a very big year indeed. If I was Hardaway and I had those guys comin in I would stay just to shoot for a NC. I've also never really understood why so many guys leave early though so I'm not a very good judge.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^
Another thing for them to consider is this coming draft is going to be loaded. All of the top guys from last year stayed another year because they knew the lockout was coming. Normally middle-bottom first round guys will get pushed into the second round and no guaranteed contracts. I don't think theres anyway Burke leaves and I think it would be smart for THJ to stay too.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:23 PM ^
Dunk city! That wasn't even a break away.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^
First ever dunk?!
December 17th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^
I'm not sure, but I remember him missing a game winning dunk once.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
Wasn't that stu?
December 17th, 2011 at 2:28 PM ^
No that was Novak as time expired during the non conference 08-09 season. Don't remember the opponent but we won in overtime.
December 17th, 2011 at 2:28 PM ^
No that was Novak as time expired during the non conference 08-09 season. Don't remember the opponent but we won in overtime.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
Novak First ever dunk?!
You know Novak won the dunk contest two years ago, right?
December 17th, 2011 at 2:20 PM ^
When was this? that dunk's sick!
December 17th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^
2 years ago I believe. Midnight madness before his 2ndseason.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:25 PM ^
That looked like a Darius Morris pass from Burke to Novak
December 17th, 2011 at 12:31 PM ^
The announcer said all of Novak's makes have been layups. I would not call the third one a layup. I would classify it under slamma-jamma.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:47 PM ^
41-27 Michigan at half.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:57 PM ^
Also, Ohio St down 33-29 at half to SCar. Sullinger is playing according to the boxscore. That game is on ESPN.
Edit: Sullinger left early with foot injury.
December 17th, 2011 at 12:51 PM ^
This game has been a little to sloppy for my liking. I believe I heard 7 TO?
December 17th, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^
OSU without him is good but nothing special.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
anyone know why he's in street clothes? thanks in advance
December 17th, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^
He has some kind of a foot injury.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
probably won't see him until BIG play.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^
on his 5th metacarpal I think
December 17th, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^
That's a possibility, but if it was his metacarpal, then he's been walking on his hands. Metatarsals are located in the feet.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^
Boy, when we take care of the ball, this offense is a joy to watch.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^
Remember when Mitch McGary said he was worried Michigan doesn't run enough for his taste. I'm now fantasizing about Trey Burke-Mitch McGary fast breaks. As Blake Griffin said when he found out about the Chris Paul trade: "Lob City."
December 17th, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^
I've seen him around campus in a boot lately.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^
Probably back for B1G Season...we need him. I'd actually start him and bring Smotz off the bench, however, Smotz would play starter's minutes.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^
But if you play Horford and Morgan at the same time, then you have two guys that can't extend a defense. That's not Beilein's preferred way to play.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^
I can dig it
December 17th, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^
IMO he's the most productive when he's playing within the structure of the offense...let guys drive and kick to him. Pick and pop for a 15 footer, that's his game.
I'd like to see how many times he's touched the ball without dribbling. I'm willing to bet that he takes at least 1 dribble 85-90% of the time he touches the ball.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^
Trey Burke is playing some VERY good basketball today...I'd like to see him and Burdidge playing together.
December 17th, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^
Next season
December 17th, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^
AAM has played 14 guys...
December 17th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
Wow, we've scored 70 points in 30 minutes! When will JB go to the walk-ons? The 4:00 mark?
December 17th, 2011 at 1:34 PM ^
This might be the most free throws we've made this year.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
I'm headed over to Ann Arbor in about half an hour, and seeing the upper bowl I really wish I had woken up early and gone to the game...
December 17th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^
Drive carefully. Bridges are very icy. Saw six accidents on the way out. All were either on or just after a bridge.
December 17th, 2011 at 2:27 PM ^
December 17th, 2011 at 6:12 PM ^
you're driving in snow and posting on MGoBlog? Wow.