TH Jr - Big Ten Freshman of the Week - again
From the conference office via UMHoops
Michigan’s Tim Hardaway Jr. earns his second consecutive weekly award and third overall after averaging 20.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The freshman shot 56.5 (13-of-23) from the floor, 55.6 percent from long range (5-for-9) and 90.0 percent from the free-throw line. In Michigan’s 75-72 overtime victory against Iowa, Hardaway scored a career-best 30 points, going 9-for-14 from the field, including a 5-for-7 performance from long range. His performance made him the first Michigan freshman to hit 30 points in a game in 33 years.
Last Michigan Freshman of the Week: Tim Hardaway Jr. (Feb. 14, 2011)
Congrats! After the game I was thinking he might get it but he did only have 10 points on Wednesday but I guess dropping 30 points as a freshman will make up for that. I really think he's the key to us making the Dance.
EDIT: He also got a nod in ESPN's Weekly watch under "More performances that wowed us"
Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan: The Wolverines are quietly trying to creep onto the bubble, and Hardaway's 30-point performance in an OT win at Iowa on Saturday kept them in the conversation. He scored 22 in the second half and hit two key free throws with 15 seconds left in overtime.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:47 AM ^
This kid's gonna be good.
Someone said early this season that he could be a poor man's Manny Harris - I'm thinking Manny Harris might be a poor man's THJr.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:52 AM ^
I'd say he's there already.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:08 PM ^
Seems to have a better frame. The biggest thing I noticed about Manny was that he always seemed to be out of control when he drove to the basket. THJr seems to already be in more control, and he looks to have the frame to allow more good weight to make his drives even more effective.
The sky's the limit when a kid has that much natural talent and is very coachable.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^
With his pretty shot, can't help but think every 3 is going in.
February 21st, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
Manny is a better athlete but THJ is a better shooter with better handle. Not fair to compare the two since THJ's supporting cast around him is better than what Manny have a year ago.
February 21st, 2011 at 2:10 PM ^
I'm not so sure Manny's a better athlete. I don't think his vertical is as good. Hardaway is more explosive around the rim. Manny may have been a better rebounder and passer.
February 21st, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
with ease even though he has the best defender on him, seeing double teams, everybody know that he can't go left and is not a good jump shooter. That tells you about his athleticism right there.
THJ has better handles and can go left and right equally as good. Plus, he's a much better jump shot than Manny. He is more of an all around threat while Manny is a pure slasher.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^
Too much pressure on THJ and Morgan to rely on them so heavily. Hard to expect them to keep up these performances. But if they get help from the outside, all that pressure releases and we could see something special. It's not too much to ask of Stu and Z
Obvious caveat that Morris is the leader of the team and needs to continue to excel
February 21st, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^
But I think if TH Jr is rocking it things open up quite a bit for those guys as well. They don't seem to hit as many 3's contested as TH Jr does so it's even more important to get him going on conjunction with Morris dribbling all over the floor to confuse the crap out of the other team which should leave Stu and Novak more open. Also, is it just me or does there seem to be a huge difference between home and away for those guys in terms of 3 point shooting? I know they've had a few good games on the road but it seems like at home they just shoot so much better.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^
Against Iowa and Illinois THJ found out that Novak was haevier then Jesus's cross. Unless Douglas and Novak show up (rested and ready for the homestand) it's the NIT.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:02 PM ^
Hopefully big ten freshman of the year
February 21st, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^
Would love that, but I think a certain Mr. Sullinger has that award just about wrapped up at this point.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^
That seems like a pipe dream.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:17 PM ^
I'll settle for all Big 10 freshman first team, that seems like a reasonable goal right?
February 21st, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^
He will probably get first-team B1G freshman, but there's no way in Hell that he wins Freshman of the Year unless he drops 50 a game and the NCAA finds out that Sullinger hasn't been paying for his tattoos.
February 21st, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
not with Jared Sullinger around. Sullinger is a lock to win Big 10 freshmen of the year and is a national player of the year candidate.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:57 PM ^
Mannys wasent that good.
February 21st, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
Took his talents to Ann Arbor and the Big 10
Go blue
February 21st, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
He was from Texas.
February 21st, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^
Hardaway is better than advertised, but as the scouts said, he doesn't handle the ball well. If THJ is able to make ballhandling a strength he will be AA. With Belien as his coach, I am confident, his ballhandling weakness will be addressed effectively.
February 21st, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
We got lucky on his frame. He was listed at 6'2" in highschool. Now he's 6'5". The difference in terms of getting his shot off and driving in the lane is just amazing.
As soon as I saw him play I said "oh wow that kid has a pretty stroke on him" even when he was chucking up threes that weren't going in. A shot like that means that kid's playing in the NBA. Hopefully we keep him for a few more years before that happens so he can bulk up and work on his ballhandling.
February 21st, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
I actually think he's more versatile than Harris. He may not drive quite as well, but the ability to hit 3's (which manny couldn't do nearly as well) makes him a more well rounded player IMO. I'm excited to see him develop.
February 22nd, 2011 at 2:47 AM ^
atleast till his junior season, the guy can ball great attitude too. I think its kinda early to talk NBA lol as his ball handling is kinda suspect and he is pretty inconsistent but you his frame, body control, and stroke look very promising.