“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” - Mitch McGary.
LINK ($$$)
“We’re soft,” McGary said following the 79-69 loss that wasn’t quite as close as the score indicated. “We’re soft right now. That’s it.”
One such player is talented 6-foot-6 sophomore Glenn Robinson III, who some consider a possible lottery pick. Instead, GR3 went for eight points and looked like a deer in headlights, tentative and even disinterested at times. Count me as a huge fan of Robinson’s talent and character, but he needs to be more aggressive, especially when Stauskas is attracting as much defensive attention as he received Tuesday night.
“We were rattled and didn’t have the same poise we had last year,” McGary said. “Derrick’s going to grow.”
The Wolverines are a work in progress, and that was evident Tuesday night in one of the most hostile environments in the country.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” McGary said.
It's a fairly long article, but those are some key quotes from it. This team has a ton of potential, so lets try and hold judgment until February or March.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:17 AM ^
If there's one guy who has the right to call the team out for being soft, it's McGary. Here's hoping he can lead them going forward.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^
December 5th, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
...hence the 'we'
December 5th, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^
I often wonder what GR3 is doing for 7/8 of a game:
How can I crochet that doily I saw 2 days ago? Oh, someone gave me this orange sphere. I'd better give it back to them. Now, back to that doily...
December 5th, 2013 at 10:35 AM ^
this may seem like a lot to conclude about a guy I do not know, but it does not look as though Robinson has intense competitive drive. When he does not play well, he appears "mad" like a kid when you take away his Legos, but not MAD like Trey Burke in overtime against Kansas. He seems to acknowledge shortcomings in terms of body language and visual reactions, but instead of internalizing them and responding to them with force he responds with apathy. In other words, it is starting to look like less a talent thing and instead an issue with his competitive makeup, and I starting to worry that what he is missing cannot be taught.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:38 AM ^
Honest question - when has Robinson actually played well? When has he been more than a competent role player on a college team? If that's Robinson's version of playing well, then the the hype around him has been very, very inflated.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^
streches of really good play in the tourney against VCU, Kansas, and Florida. Against Kansas in particular, he was all over the place in the final 5 minutes of regulation offensively and defensively. He became almost automatic from 3 for stretches in a couple of games. That stretch of play really opened some eyes.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:46 AM ^
Fair enough - thanks for the information. I didnt recall those efforts by him.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^
It's great he can shoot from 3, but this shouldn't be his go-to offensive role. With his size and athleticism, he should be going to the rim 80% of the time. He is way too passive and willing to hang around the perimeter. The only thing I've seen him add to his aresenal is a pullup jumper. Watching him pains me, so much potential, but seemingly no piss and vineger. I don't see a raw competitor, which cannot be taught.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^
I'm glad that i'm not the only one that has had this viewpoint. Reading through the rest of the thread, I tend to agree that he may be a better 6th man at this point in the year.
December 5th, 2013 at 2:35 PM ^
December 5th, 2013 at 10:38 AM ^
That's a question that some guys take a long time to find the answer to. Some guys don't ask that question, and they seem like great competitors, but they're also the kinds of guys whose teams are never great b/c they dominate the ball so much. Robinson has maybe too much of a conscience, but it doesn't mean he doesn't want to win.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
it that way. Not to say the he is not unselfish, he appears to be great teammate. He does not process failure well. He is a player that appears truly rattled by "air-ball" chants. Taking the big shot comes with a willingness to miss the big shot and have it mean nothing more than that. He is too hard on himself. It looks as though he sees missing a shot as "evidence" that he should not take the next one.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^
That's different than lacking sufficient competitive drive, though.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
often unfortunately go hand in hand.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^
It seems like he is content to take only really good shots, without realizing that on occassion the team needs him to create that shot himself. When he dribbles, it looks like he is always just casually probing the defense to see if there is an opening to be had, and there rarely is because he isn't going hard enough. It's nice that he doesn't want to force things, but I'd like him to recognize that there are times when the ball gets rotated to him that he needs to put his man out of position with the dribble rather than dribble just enough to see if his man is playing defense on him. Glenn, I have news for you, they almost always are playing defense on you and you are almost always more athletic than the person defending you. Take it to them.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:27 AM ^
Sounds like the team is rounding into form, and sometimes you do have bad days. I mean, MSU was just run off the court by UNC at home. Not saying they are the same teams, but sometimes you just have a bad day against a good team. Glad to see the leadership is there, though.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:36 AM ^
I'm glad to see McGary say they're soft but also have perspective. You don't lose the national player of the year and another NBA first round pick - especially if those guys are your guards - and just pick up like nothing happened. Losing your backcourt is a massive blow to any team. I'm optimistic that this team will improve. I'm especially optimistic that LeVert found a new level of confidence Tuesday night. That was his first big game against a good team, and he could be the guy who make the offense go until Walton matures.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^
Exactly. It would be extremely unusual for the team NOT to have a difficult time adjusting to their absence. Most of the season is going to be a process of trying to develop new chemistry and getting the freshman feet wet. Michigan fans should make their peace with the team frequently looking ugly and discombobulated.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:38 AM ^
how long it actually took to build Rome.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:28 PM ^
MMDCLXVIII +/- a M or II
December 5th, 2013 at 12:39 PM ^
Two days.
Union rules for breaks and what not slowed the project down some.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
it's Beilein. Still think this team can emerge and compete in conference play.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:43 AM ^
I'm almost starting to think that he should be coming off the bench. He has the mentality of a 6th man, it might not be a bad role for him.
Morgan-McGary-Stauskas-LeVert-Walton...if we're soft, that lineup gets us tougher.
Morgan doesn't need to play any more minutes. And GRIII would still play a ton. But that is what I would start the game and the half with. That is how I would set the tone.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^
different changes. I would start Spike. I like Walton, he is going to be awesome, but Spike is a really good shooter and he really controls the pace of the game when he gets a chance to get into the flow. He actually reminds me of Bobby Hurley a little bit. I don't think the NC game was a fluke. I really think he has the potential to be a great college player.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^
Walton starts because he can stay in front of his man - Spike can't. Defense is mostly effort and technique, but those aren't Spike's issues, as far as I can tell. He simply doesn't have the size and especially the speed (holy good god he's slow).
I recall him getting beat so bad in the Duke game that when his man stopped his drive and brought the ball into the corner, it took him about a full 2 or 3 seconds to catch up. McGary had to run out and cover. It's ... it's not good.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
Off the bench for sure. Might send a message too. I am not entirely sure what you mean when you say he has the mentality of a 6th man, though. Usually a 6th man is best when he brings great energy and/or scoring ability. I am not seeing either right now...
December 5th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^
Not sure if he should be benched, but I agree it could send a message and agree GR3 seems like the opposite of a 6th man. You want your 6th man to come in with high energy, you want him to be a game changer with his offense or defense or even both. You forget GR3 is on the court for 90% of the game. Not a good fit for 6th man, unless being moved to that role or playing against other reserves lights a fire in him.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^
I think he has all the tools to be great but he really has a long way to go IMHO.
December 5th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^
The team will be fine, but needs some time to round into form. Two years ago against Virginia they had a similarly disheartening experience and if I recall correctly that team turned out okay. They'll come good, maybe not to the levels we all thought they would, but I think they'll be okay. Young teams take time to gel, especially with a freshman point guard.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:09 AM ^
I appreciate a big man that can break out in transition. I appreciate a big man with great hands. I appreciate a big man that can grab rebounds. I would appreciate that same big man getting his big body in position down low and demand the basketball on the block and not allow smaller players to dictate the game to him.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:08 PM ^
Why do you want McGary demanding the ball on the block? I've always been confused about the assertion that he needs more touches. He's never shown any aptitude (at all) scoring with his back to the basket - he doesn't have a post game. He can face up decently, but it's not anything you want to base your offense around. I like his passing, but I'll pass on feeding him like he's Shaq.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:27 AM ^
Sounds about right to me.
December 5th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^
I believe that phrase is from the 12th century somewhere in France.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:05 PM ^
I am sticking with my prediction at the beginning of the season. They will struggle early and mature into a team nobody wants to play by tournament time.
In other words, Mitch McGary is right.
December 5th, 2013 at 12:09 PM ^
December 5th, 2013 at 12:44 PM ^
There was no way we weren't going to take a step back after losing the two centerpieces of the best backcourt in America from last year. Give this team time to gel, especially with Walton. Beilein-coached teams have a tendency to get much better as the year goes along. We might not ultimately end up as good as we were last year, but we'll be a damn good team come tournament time.
December 5th, 2013 at 4:40 PM ^
But factor in what could/should be a loss to Arizona and we're looking at a 4-loss NON-Conference. Even if we go 12-6 in B1G play, which I would think 11-7 even 10-8 is probably just as possible... plus the conference tourney.... we're a 10-13 loss team. A tournament run will be almost impossible, ALMOST, coming from no better than a what... 8 seed?
December 5th, 2013 at 1:09 PM ^
This is why basketball is a nice break from football. At least early in the season any one game isn't that meaningful. We lose a game and chalk it up, validly, to a learning process, rather than proclaim the sky to be falling.
I completely agree with others here, that Beilein, his staff and the team itself will evolve into a very good club as they adjust to new personnel.
December 5th, 2013 at 1:36 PM ^
See, that's the benefit to losing 5 games in a football season - the more you lose, the less any one loss means. We just need to embrace that from the beginning.
December 5th, 2013 at 2:15 PM ^
Coaches often talk about how they would rather have a team of guys who have great desire over great talent. I know precious little about Basketball schematics, but if given the choice I would take a team full of guys like Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway or Nik Stauskas, over GR3. Ironically, he may be the best NBA prospect of them all.
I am hoping that something clicks for him and his talent and desire match up, if it does, he will have an amazing year.
December 5th, 2013 at 2:20 PM ^
it's going to take time for them to develop an identity. A real key is going to be how soon Derrick Walton becomes comfortable being the floor general he needs to be. Trey Burke started out tentative and inconsistent as a freshman too. We were fortunate last year to have a relatively experienced starting guard tandem to quarterback the offense. So, we're all going to need to be patient with this team and trust in the coaches to pull everything together.
December 5th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^
...Rome wasn't built in a day, so by the time we get the foundation laid and the cornerstone in place, McGary and Robinson bolt for the NBA.
College basketball ain't what it used to be.
December 5th, 2013 at 9:12 PM ^
Offensively, this relates to half-court play. We're still great in transition. Basically, we've had three bad games (ISU, FSU, and Duke). Charlotte we played well enough to win, it was just an off-shooting night. Our 2 biggest issues are lack of patience in half-court offense and getting abused by bigs in the post. Solve those and we're a contender again. Do all this and we won't lose again:
McGary: Stop trying to dribble drive -- play like a versatile PF, not a PG or a SF. Get in the post and demand the ball. Low-post, high-post, wherever, just get there and use some post moves (drop-step, up-and-under, turn and face-up, whatever, and kick out when the double comes).
GRIII: Stop trying to simply blow by your defender on the dribble. You're not Burke and typically matched up against their best wing defender who can stop that most of the time. Be more aggressive, but patiently with an arsenal of moves like Jordan (pump fakes, turns, shifts, stop and pops, high post moves) to clear the defender. They won't be able to stop you. Look for that mid-range pull-up more, it's pretty sweet.
Stauskas: Get healthy, stay confident. Otherwise, keep being aggressive while playing within yourself. Teach GRIII how to take what the defense gives you without forcing it.
Levert: Be a little more patient, move the ball around a little more, and don't always take the first thing you see or force it. Your rushing makes everyone else play a bit rushed. Don't overcommit on D - stay between your man and the basket.
Walton: Doing fine. Be a point guard -- control the tempo on offense when we're playing to fast. Don't look to create a scoring play on every touch. Tell McGary to get in the post and get the ball into him when he does.
Spike: Pretty much keep playing your game. Forced a bit against Duke like everyone else, so remember to control the tempo.
Irvin: Play your game, but don't take so many contested, off-balance jumpers. Make sure you're squared up to shoot. Play harder on D.
Morgan and (mainly) Horford: Recognize play your roles (interior D and rebounding). Horford post up some more, but don't force it, and play more solid and under control on both ends. Morgan, if you have to gather yourself to go up with it, don't. Kick it out.
Beilein: (a) Play 2 bigs when the other team does. Our small forwards playing 4 are getting abused in the post by power forwards and giving up way to many easy looks from in close. At least double-down on it, otherwise it's free baskets. Parker was a nightmare matchup, and Robinson was the right guy to match him up with, but have an immediate double come when guys like that look to post-up.
(b) Get McGary the ball in the post more. Run the offense through that some like State does with Payne (State does it on every set).
(c) Get everyone more patient on offense (not Stauskas, he is playing patient). Teach ball fakes. Run some plays designed to get Stauskas and Irvin open spot-up looks (simplest: post McGary, have him kick the ball out, and then have the ball swung around the perimeter when he does).
(d) Stop the excessive help defense. Just use necessary double-downs and otherwise teach everyone to stay between their man and the basket more.
(e) Keep encouraging the value of getting stops and turning them into transition opportunities.
(f) Go to the 1-3-1 with Levert at the top a little every game. Caris was a terror in that, and it seems to settle us on offense for whatever reason.