Mr. Yost

August 13th, 2014 at 9:46 PM ^

They just had 3 guys get drafted and 1 get signed overseas. Meanwhile they left behind 3 more guys who will probably get drafted.

Last year's team was a healthy back and a night of weed from winning a National Championship, IMO.

This years team will be in that 6-10 seed range. However, I have them finishing the year strong and upsetting that #1 or #2 seed in the 2nd round.

If Beilein takes this team to the Sweet 16, he should get a statue.

Not saying they're that bad, but come on...lose 3 NBA players a year after losing 2, return 2 starters and 3.5 of your entire rotation (Albrecht being the .5)

I'm not saying doubt this team, but expectations shouldn't be near what they were last year or even the year before. 

This is one of those years where you gladly set the bar at a reasonably low height and you're glad to eat crow if they get over it. If they're a #7 or #8 seed, that sets the bar around 3rd or 4th in the league and a Round of 32 exit.

I just said, I'm taking the over...but I think that's a reasonable spot to place the bar for this season.

nowayman

August 13th, 2014 at 10:07 PM ^

low last year, especially after the back injury, and then being wow'ed.

We'd been written off by most services but I don't put much stock in them.  That negativity was entirely my own.

edit: the amazing thing is how high that "pretty dang low" bar is now.  

re: 

I'm not saying doubt this team, but expectations shouldn't be near what they were last year or even the year before.

MGoLogan

August 13th, 2014 at 10:08 PM ^

I should have worded my comment better. I am not saying Michigan will be better this year (though I do think they will be more of a 3-5 seed), I'm saying when you look at the roster 5 years from now, this years team will prove to have more overall talent front top to bottom than last years. I was trying to say I think the freshman (including Donnal) are a very impressive group.

MGoLogan

August 13th, 2014 at 10:21 PM ^

I can definitely see the other side of the argument. I guess I am much higher than others on the freshman. Chatman reminds me so much if my favorite player growing up, Jalen Rose, though he isn't quite as athletic. Dawkins is extremely talented and the type of player Beilein can mold from a low ranked recruit to a star. Wilson, like Dawkins is someone that will take a year or two to get there, but I could see being a star. Then again neither could get there but I think Michigan is blessed to have one of, if not the best coaching staff in the country.

bballislife22

August 13th, 2014 at 9:00 PM ^

Here's hoping we get footage from some of the games in Italy. And I sure hope the games are more competitive than the ones that Kentucky is getting down in the Bahamas or Puerto Rico or wherever they are right now. Watched part of one on ESPNU the other day, total blowout.

MGoLogan

August 13th, 2014 at 9:08 PM ^

Oh yeah, Michigan's trip is completely different. The teams they are playing are professional squads. I remember somewhat of the last trip to Belgium and the rosters were mainly former good college players that weren't quite good enough for the NBA. I believe Michigan went 1-3 on that trip.

MgoSuh

August 13th, 2014 at 9:15 PM ^

Wow is Kam Chatman effortlessly smooth. And those three straight 3-pointers at the beginning of the video had my mouth watering.........

dkush

August 13th, 2014 at 9:19 PM ^

I didn't see Derrick miss once and his handling looks improved too. Overall, the kid looks like a stud who can reallly contribute this year. The one thing that concerned me was that in the scrimmage type part, seemingly every play ended in a bailout three.

cobra14

August 13th, 2014 at 9:29 PM ^

That was a help and recover drill digging down on the post player from the defender who's man passed the ball. My guess on the kick back out the player was told to shoot it, it was a defensive drill all the way.

MichiganTeacher

August 13th, 2014 at 9:42 PM ^

Not sure exactly what part you're referring to when you say "scrimmage type part," but I think you mean the parts of the video where they're doing the shell drill.

Here's a link: http://www.coachesclipboard.net/DefenseShellDrill.html

Basically, I wouldn't worry about every possession ending in a three with hand in your face because that's not really what the drill is about. It's mainly about spacing and positioning (especially on D, but offense too) along with defending, cutting, passing, and communication. There are a million variations on it, but usually the perimeter O players aren't allowed to dribble. It looks like they are allowed to cut, at least some of the time here, and the D breaks down at 8:05 or so allowing the post to hit a cutter for an easy layup.

But to me, this looks like a well-run shell drill. I like what I see.

And yeah, toward the beginning, Chatman looked super good.

MGoManDown

August 13th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^

I'm going to love Kam's game as he continues to grow. He isn't that athletic. He's somewhat of a Paul Pierce type. He's not going to jump out of the gym or blow by every defender, but he'll torch you with fundamentals and IQ.  Hopefully we get more videos soon.

cobra14

August 13th, 2014 at 9:25 PM ^

That is What Coach B is all about. I loved the drill with the tackling dummies. All those moves will be used by the guards throughout the year. Big fan of the last drill with the tackling dummies simulating coming off a double ball screen, Our guards also use the bounce out so well in game situations and that was a glimpse into how and why.

The last drill really showed how they work on digging down on a post player with the ball and the subsequent help and recover following the pass out.

MichiganTeacher

August 13th, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^

Yeah, they had a lot of help coming off the entry passer. Interesting. That can be risky because the kickback to the entry passer is the easiest pass for the post to make, so if you're not real good recovering on that, the entry passer has a good shot off the kickback. I guess that's why they're practicing it.

The alternative is of course to harass or double the post with a different wing player. The weakside wing is the hardest pass for the post player to make, so sometimes you can send that guy. It depends where the other team has their shooters, obviously. The downside to this is that if the pass does get made, you're way out of position and the recovery rotation is harder.

MaximusBlue

August 13th, 2014 at 9:33 PM ^

They are deep and talented as ever. Chatman looks like a silent assassin out there. You won't even be able to tell, but next thing you know at the end of the game he has 16 pts,7 rebs,and 5 asst.

BJNavarre

August 13th, 2014 at 9:59 PM ^

A lot to like in that video. Irvin looks like he could be a legit 4, if need be. Holy crap did he get huge!  Doyle shows more athleticism than advertised. Dawkins and MOAR both look very athletic. It seems like they defend with more intensity than they did in the games last year. All good signs.

alum96

August 13th, 2014 at 10:05 PM ^

He is the same size as Dawson at MSU so if need be he could be a 4, he is a far better outside shooter but Dawson is obviously a bulldog around the net.  2, 3 and 4 are pretty interchangeable on offense - Bacari said your position is based on who you defend.  I think his time at 4 - if any - will be determined on where they put Chatman and how much time DJ Wilson gets.  He seems like more a mismatch at 3.

ilah17

August 13th, 2014 at 10:01 PM ^

So many things to love about this clip. We have so many new faces but they seem to fit in seamlessly. Kam Chatman and Zak Irvin look fantastic. Ricky Doyle is even bigger than I thought. So excited to see what this team accomplishes! 

alum96

August 13th, 2014 at 10:02 PM ^

Very interested to see how this team plays defensively with all the young pups.  Defense is usually where those guys lag.  Caris, Walton, and Irvin should be improved on defense but everywhere else we are going to have some wide eyes and bushy tails.  I am expecting a lot of high scoring games this year.  Whatever the case this will be a fun team to watch even as they exasperate you from time to time. 

Can some reset Coach Beilein's age backwards by 15 years. TIA.

MichiganMan14

August 14th, 2014 at 5:37 AM ^

The season will hinge on how well the bigs develop and how many of the 6 freshman can become contributors. Doyle and Wilson will be relied on to help inside. This team appears to be one that will get better as the season goes on due to youth. If the bigs mature...Michigan could have another deep tourney run! Irvin looks great. Chatman looks as advertised. Walton looks lightning fast. Doyle looks to be a solid interior defender.