On track
First of all, this is not a claim of moral victory. A loss is a loss is a loss, especially at home. But given the huge talent discrepancy and where the team was earlier in the season, the trend is still upward. When Michigan has more players, Beilein's team will win games like tonight.
January 26th, 2010 at 9:51 PM ^
do you realy think next year without Manny and Sims they will be better
January 26th, 2010 at 9:54 PM ^
I think Sims will hurt, but I think the team plays the system better without relying on Harris. Plus there is a lot of young talent that will develop a lot before next year. I don't think they will be better, but I don't see them being much worse.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
Considering we have 2 guys who command defenders, and open up wide open shots for our perimeter players and we still have trouble, it will be tough sledding next year.
Here's to Trey Z!
January 26th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
Judging by the Purdue game, I see it taking at least two years to fully recover from a loss of Harris and Sims.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:27 PM ^
about right. Maybe more. You've seen what this team looks like without Manny. His ability to get to the hole saves this team. He's the only one who can do it. The other guys around him and Sims just aren't good enough. When the jump shots aren't falling the team is bad. No one else has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor, create or get to the basket.
January 26th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
they will lose the top two players
January 26th, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^
I agree that the team is on track. For as good as Harris is at times, he still kills this team when he tries to do more than he is capable of. The Beilein teams that won were dominated by a team concept without a recognizable star. Listen, I love Harris, but right now he is not a great fit for this team outside of his slashing ability. Losing Sims will hurt more because he provides some nice inside-outside presence.
I also think that Harris might return next year. His game is not NBA-ready, and I think he'll hear from some of the advisors that another year wouldn't hurt his stock.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
he could do somethings better- shot selection, the "shot" itself- but this offense is geared towards a player like him. If the three's are falling and someone gets him the ball at an opportune time, he strikes and scores,creating chaos for a team trying to defend against everything at once. I don't think Manny is ready for the NBA either, Big Ten ppg leader or not; if he doesn't make drastic improvement, he isn't going to be a high draft pick.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
I plan on going overseas for next basketball season to save my sanity.
January 26th, 2010 at 11:03 PM ^
but this team is not on track when something like 60% of the offense will be gone next year.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^
looks familiar but I can't seem to remember where I saw it...+1 to you for a great pic.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:25 AM ^
He's ready for the NBA. Most of the play calls for him are either iso or pick and rolls with Sims. He even has the glaring at the ref thing and the yelling when he's fouled thing down pat. I just hope the Pistons don't draft him. Just what they need, another 2 guard. :)
To the Association for Manny.
To the drawing board for UM without Harris/Sims.
January 27th, 2010 at 2:07 AM ^
You can't really judge the team on the Purdue game. They are used to having Manny out there and he wasn't. This summer they will get to work on the post Simms/Manny team and I think they will all be on the same page. Morris will score more next year to offset a little but it isn't going to be any different next year if Stu and Novack aren't hitting shots.
Morris, LLP, Stu and Novack all have the ability to drive and kick out. They just have to hit shots and I don't care who they are, it they drive in the D will collapse whether it's a walkon freshmen or Manny Harris.
January 27th, 2010 at 5:15 AM ^
this team will likely struggle next year. They just don't have the talent. MSU stole a game at Crisler because of their huge talent advantage - and that advantage will be even bigger next year. Michigan has only 2 frontcourt players this year and lose both - so they have to hope their freshmen (the redshirts and Smotrycz) can contribute well from the start. If Manny leaves, they'll need Zeigler just to maintain their backcourt talent level. Beilein's recruiting has been subpar and needs to improve significantly if Michigan hopes to ever be a consistent NCAA tournament team.
January 27th, 2010 at 8:23 AM ^
Yes. the program is on track.
They are way more capable of overcoming the departures of Sims and Harris than the program was in the fall of 2007 when they were trying to replace the Sims-Horton-Petway group that had been the core for 2-3 years. The roster will more talented and experienced than it was in the fall of 2007. I think folks will be pleasantly surprised.
But, lets be honest, a big factor as far not really missing a beat will be locking down Ziegler and Horford. If JB can get those guys inked and into the program, then I think next year will be a lot like this year and last year: A fight the whole way, walking a thin, tight postseason line with little margin for error.
The roster will have more Rivals top-150 players and as many 4-stars as it does now, with another really good recruit in Brundidge adding to those numbers the following season.
I really really like the look of 2011-12 when Novak, Douglass and LLP are seniors.
Bottomline: The roster will be more ready to go than it was after the last season that saw a wave intergral players depart. Add, we look to be adding a good-looking 4-man recruiting class. We'll have a lot more of a fighting chance than people think. But, I understand that as Sims and Manny look so irreplaceable as you watch the current team play out.
FTR, I think we will definetly get Horford. Ziegler is a coin flip. If we offer, Horford will committ. At least from what I've read. Ziegler wont decide until April. The waiting is the hardest part.