"Secret" MBB Scrimmage Today: What are you hoping to hear?
In events that hopefully won’t end with people threatening to jump off the roof of a Kroger, the men’s basketball team will be playing a scrimmage today against DePaul. It’s the first bit of game action the team will see before they play the exhibition against Wayne State next Friday. Since the scrimmage is supposed to be a secret, it doesn’t appear the game will be televised/streamed. However, it’s pretty likely that information about the game and the team will leak today and/or tomorrow. And I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been jonesing for basketball season to start since last March.
So, for other people on the blog who’re looking forward to basketball season, what tid-bits are you hoping to hear from the not-so-secret scrimmage today? For me, I have three things:
- Hunter Dickinson was dominate with both hands – Yeah, seeing the 3-pt shooting is nice and all, but having a right-hand game would make him as deadly on the court as he is in his twitter game.
- Caleb Houstan is every bit the hype – He was the only freshman voted to the preseason all-B1G team. I haven’t been this excited for a true freshman since Moussa Diabate.
- Does Andy Katz actually watch basketball? – Okay, not scrimmage related but Katz is ranking the top 20 players in the B1G and he put Brad Davison a 11th in the conference. 11th! Above players like Eli Brooks, Eric Ayala, and Trent Frazier. I don’t know what he’s on, but I’d like some of it.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:07 PM ^
Looking forward to Michigan Basketball to take my mind off of Michigan football.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:09 PM ^
^^^This^^^
Which makes me sad. I am holding onto hope that Michigan can win the next 3 going into the OSU game.
October 31st, 2021 at 7:03 PM ^
Dude Michigan just got carved up by an O line who sucks and a RB who is all big ten but they made him look like the second coming of Adrain Peterson. Michigan isn’t stopping OSU. The only hope I have is that they don't hang 70 on this defense.
October 31st, 2021 at 1:08 PM ^
Hoping to hear there was a very late flag thrown for pass interference on fourth down.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:03 PM ^
A non-call like that shouldn't have mattered in this game. Michigan was the dominant team most of the day and gave it away. Great teams don't rely on the refs to win a game for them.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:27 PM ^
Ok... how many "great" teams are there in any given year? Or this year, for that matter? Even "good" teams can have a bad day... heck, Bama lost a game to an unranked SEC West opponent yet are still the #2 or #3 odds favorite to make the playoff.
Stuff happens in football and sometimes the better team doesn't win. The problem with college football is that most opponents only meet once per season, so the better team rarely gets the opportunity to prove the earlier result was not representative.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:45 PM ^
You act like Michigan had a bad day. They played well enough to win but had the same weaknesses they have most of the year.
-giving up explosive plays in the run game
-inability to score touchdowns in the red zone
Yesterday they added:
-substitution penalties
- offside penalties
-poorly timed turnover
-poor coaching decisions
-inability to get off the field on 3rd down
-inability to line up correctly against tempo
The refs didn't beat Michigan. Michigan beat Michigan.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:52 PM ^
And yet with all those things you just listed (and more could be added)... this team still had built up a 16pt lead in the third, which should have been more.
I never said the refs beat Michigan (not sure anyone is saying it), but the weren't exactly calling the rules as they should (msu without a single hold until the 4th... do you actually believe that was correct?) The point is that numerous factors go into a game and the outcome is almost never guaranteed - especially when the teams are in the same class. Circling back to your statement the "great teams don't rely on the refs", the corollary is that even good teams can still lose a game due to factors such as refs.
Michigan had a day that ended badly - it happens. That doesn't mean it was the lesser team nor that they are "bad" - some weaknesses can be addressed, but not all can be totally solved. Welcome to sports being played by real people.
October 31st, 2021 at 5:17 PM ^
Most of your list points directly to McDonald. His inexperience has shown this year. He regularly gets outcoached at halftime and his inability to identify that MSU would run a lot of tempo after watching a lot of tape on them was inexcusable. He flat out has to be better or he will go the way of Don Brown.
October 31st, 2021 at 4:23 PM ^
Hoping to hear the Big Ten launches an investigation into the replay booth official.
October 31st, 2021 at 4:37 PM ^
I heard his name was Sparty Bob, Jr.
October 31st, 2021 at 6:42 PM ^
"terrible officiating that lead to a ~20 point swing didn't matter to the outcome of the game" continues to be the dumbest narrative among our fanbase at the moment
November 1st, 2021 at 5:27 AM ^
Are you saying it didn't contribute to it?
October 31st, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^
Hunter Dickinson was dominant with both hands
Pet peeve...
October 31st, 2021 at 1:46 PM ^
Thanks, teach! I can't edit this essay, but I'll make sure to correct my mistake on the next one I turn in.
October 31st, 2021 at 4:21 PM ^
Ok, the Fire . . .
October 31st, 2021 at 1:36 PM ^
I cannot believe Brad Davison is back. He's been on Wisconsin for 30 years.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:27 PM ^
So he still has a few years of eligibility left, you are saying?
October 31st, 2021 at 2:01 PM ^
At this point I am becoming more interested in NCAA basketball in general due to the fact that a loss doesn't render your season meaningless year after year. College basketball does a lot better job giving people a reason to keep following their team throughout the year, even giving each team a "last shot" with the conference tourney.
October 31st, 2021 at 3:50 PM ^
Nailed it. Completely nailed it.
October 31st, 2021 at 7:26 PM ^
The pressure cooker that is the college football regular season is the primary reason to expand the playoff to as many teams as possible. I don’t think 16 or 12 can win it but really good teams lose fluky games and shouldn’t miss out on a chance to play for all the marbles. The Alabama kick 6 team comes to mind.
November 1st, 2021 at 8:48 PM ^
As a parent of a senior high school football player in the midst of a playoff run in the state of Wisconsin, I can verify that a football playoff consisting of 4 regional/sectional brackets determined by a semi-reasonable computer formula is fucking great. 3 wins to move out of the region/section, then 2 more for the state championship. High stakes, high drama. Suck it, NCAA bowls. I'll take this format any day over your antiquated system that props up a handful of southern tier bowl-hosting cities.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:04 PM ^
Simple. I want to hear that the freshmen are progressing. The more they can learn and get involved prior to the conference schedule will be a big key for us repeating as Big Ten Champs.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:28 PM ^
Agreed! I'd love to hear that Frankie is a viable option for backup point. He's going to have a pretty big role next year.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:07 PM ^
I want to see how Brandon Johns and Terrance play . X factors
October 31st, 2021 at 2:13 PM ^
I think BJ just needs to be that solid starter. Every team has a guy that you need for hustle, defense, and rebounding. He's not going to turn into a 15 PPG guy.
I'm hoping his three-point percentage continues to rise and poses a threat from out there.
This team has more than enough scoring potential- I don't think Johns needs to worry a ton about having to force the action.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:33 PM ^
If he plays like he did in Tourny , we are in very good shape . Attacking the rim , blocking shots , offensive rebounds , great passing .
October 31st, 2021 at 2:48 PM ^
Johns has the potential to be a 15ppg guy. He has no weaknesses in this game that I can see. He shot 37% from 3-point last season (better than Franz) and 80% from the FT line.
He was essentially a 15ppg player last year - averaging about 5ppg in 12min/game.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:59 PM ^
It's a HUGE ask of Johns to go from 5 ppg to 15. The whole expanding out the points over time doesn't work. You are just assuming the points with minutes, which is not a valid stat. If that was true, Boban (when he was on the Pistons) would have been like a 50 ppg scorer.
I like Johns a lot, but he does have weaknesses. He doesn't shoot from mid-range and he can get much too out of control at times.
As a senior, we pretty much have a good idea of what he is at this point. He's a really solid starter, works his arse off, good defender, solid rebounder- everything you want on a team. He's just not going to turn into a scorer, ESPECIALLY with all the other threats this team has. I could see him becoming a hybrid starter/bench guy with someone like Houstan.
October 31st, 2021 at 4:26 PM ^
From Maize n Brew:
-
The story so far
- With Isaiah Livers out with a foot injury late last year, Johns Jr. stepped up in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 10 points and 3.25 rebounds per game on 57.1 percent shooting from the field.
He will only need to go from 10 ppg to 15 ppg. That is 2 made 3s.
I think he can do it with strides in the off-season.
October 31st, 2021 at 6:38 PM ^
Very small sample size.
Going from 10 PPG to 15 PPG is not a simple thing to do.
I like Brandon a lot. I think he's a great role player for this team. But there is way too much talent and firepower- I would be willing to put down my car that he doesn't break 15 PPG on the season. I'd be happy with 10, and I think that's probably a bit over his range. He's just not an elite scorer.
Hunter was our leading scorer at 14.1 PPG last season, and we now have arguably more offensive talent, if not equal.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:20 PM ^
Point Guard is the most important position, so I’m most interested in how Jones fits into the offense. Is he an upgrade over Smith? Can he learn the offense quickly and distribute the ball well enough? Smith was a really good fit last year. However, Jones may be an upgrade based on what I’ve seen from him.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:35 PM ^
I'm not sure if "upgrade" is the right word; he's going to offer a lot of different strengths and weaknesses from Mike.
Where he is better: Physically more imposing. Couple more inches, 15-20 more lbs. Has been an exceptional rebounder for someone playing the 1-guard. Can get downhill much easier against people defending him, as he is likely being guarded by people his build. Will be a much better defender than Smith.
Not as good: Not nearly as fast as Mike- Mike could dart around the court. From what I've seen on clips, Jones has a bit of a Wagner-type release on his shot, where Mike's was lightning quick.
Unknown: Leadership. Like Mike's situation, he was asked to come in from a small school and take over the reigns of a Big Ten team. We will see how Jones does.
October 31st, 2021 at 2:26 PM ^
Hoping to hear: Juwan also coaches basketball
October 31st, 2021 at 4:27 PM ^
??? Did you mean "football"???
October 31st, 2021 at 2:58 PM ^
Was glancing through at the cover college basketball magazine and they highlighted the top 4 on the cover. Guess who was 5th? I just thought it was funny like the magazine purposefully put us 5th just to get me to pick it up to see. Top 5 is amazing to be honest. Also only Houstan on their all freshman squad which had a ton of players on it.
October 31st, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^
Hunter Dickinson dominates with both hands over both shoulders.
Hunter overcomes his dominant left hand,
Hunter shoots 3s above a 28% accuracy rate.
October 31st, 2021 at 4:38 PM ^
So cool that you're taking about preseason basketball after yesterday. Let me guess: you became a huge Michigan fan the day you got your acceptance letter. Previously never thought about sports. Go fuck yourself all the way back to New Jersey.
October 31st, 2021 at 5:10 PM ^
Who shit in your wheaties? Just trying to provide some levity and good vibes today. Been a Michigan fan since I was born, but I'm sure it doesn't matter to a grumpy doucher like you.
October 31st, 2021 at 6:49 PM ^
Bashing people for not being fans of Michigan sports until they got into Michigan is quite the take
October 31st, 2021 at 7:57 PM ^
buddy.. take a breather and step away from the keyboard. This is a Michigan sports blog. Some people may want to come here and discuss the upcoming men's bball season. No harm in that.
Yesterday sucked, but that is no reason to be an asshole to an OP that wanted to talk a little hoops on a Sunday. Sounds like you might need to get outside and touch some grass or something.
November 1st, 2021 at 12:17 AM ^
Rice Tmills Sean Higgins and Rumeal are all calling a TO get you regrouped.
October 31st, 2021 at 4:52 PM ^
Everybody is healthy.
October 31st, 2021 at 5:00 PM ^
They didn't crumble when punched in the mouth
October 31st, 2021 at 5:52 PM ^
- would love to hear Hunter has improved outside shot as well improving his right hand.
- Want to hear Dj's going to be at worse a lateral move from Mike Smith, and hopefully actually an improvement on Smith
- would be awesome to hear if Zeb has improved generally. Same with Terrance
- it would be awesome if Diabate's outside shooting, ie from the elbow in, is better than advertised.
October 31st, 2021 at 8:00 PM ^
Howard will do what Harbaugh can’t. Beat the rivals. Win the whole f’ing thing.
October 31st, 2021 at 10:06 PM ^
Well so far Howard has a losing record to both of our rivals in basketball as well correct?
November 1st, 2021 at 8:19 AM ^
Juwan's teams have all performed well over expectation.
MSU is Michigan's only basketball rival.
Defending a defenseless position is not a good look.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:39 AM ^
Dickinson: 5/5 from behind the line
Diabate: Ends practice early because he ripped the rim off the backboard.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:34 AM ^
At least we have a team to watch in Ann Arbor that wins big games and Big Ten Titles.
Uof〽️ is basketball ? school!