Zak Irvin appreciation thread
We don't win today without his performance down the stretch.
Game isn't close without his defense and rebounding today.
45 minutes, a.k.a. all of them. love that guy, hope to see him play eight more games.
Yes, and to go 8-0 in those games!
If the 1 is on Sunday.
Sorry, I'm greedy
Not to be overlooked is the excellent defense he played all game (and yesterday), in addition to those clutch drives.
He erased Mathias' three point shooting in both Purdue games (the one make was on Duncan) and Malcolm Hill yesterday.
It's been his hero-ball antics. His defense is probably why he starts and Duncan Robinson doesn't. Either way, he has elevated that part of his game recently and seems to be taking a few less hero-ball clunkers.
I never said it was. Just that it's been overlooked by a lot of people. He's developed into a lock-down guy at that end.
the reason he starts and plays a lot. But there were major calls for benching him, by those who ignored his defensive impact. And that's the point. Even if he's shooting somewhat poorly his defense makes him a neutral player at least. You don't bench a player like that when the floor is so high and if he plays well offensively, it's a big lift.
...we'll give you some slack, for confusing it with flak.
Reminded me of De'Veon Smith's grinder in the IU/Snowglobe game. Everybody was on him unitl he angrily willed us into a tough win with Sp8 on the bench.
in general. Not just those games. De'veon did the unglamorous dirty work well like pass blocking, but because we wasn't electric and sometimes made questionable decisions with the ball in his hands, he took a lot of heat. Both will probably always be underappreciated.
in the last few games. His drives late in the game were a key to the win when Michigan baskets were hard to come by from outside. Against those bigs of Purdue, he stood right with them on the rebounding/defensive end. With Zak playing better I like our chances a lot going forward. Hopefully, Wagner and Walton will shake off today's less than stellar efforts and return to form tomorrow.
He was the only guy on our team who had his legs at the end. Those drives won the game.
And that was after an extremely hard-working defensive effort the entire game.
He's been really, really good during our entire late run, and has displayed tremendous senior leadership.
Appreciation well deserved!
just a solid game from him; heroball was well played today.
EXCEPT when he shoots the ball. I swear everytime he hits a jumper it feels like complete luck
Nobody did today -- probably due to the near death experience and playing two game in two days and all.
He was out of his mind in the first half, and shot 11-18. Not a great percentage from 3, but the two he hit in the first half kept us in the game.
And nobody was hitting them consistently today. DJ had a nice touch around the rim but his jumper were rimming out all day -- a sure sign of dead legs.
We'll have a hard time bating Minny if the jumpers are not falling tomorrow. Hopefully MSU as we match up a lor better wih them.
That's what I was responding to.
IMO scoring 26 on 11-18 is good shooting. There weren't many threes, but he made a bunch of nice little jumpers.
Just my opinion. Not worth fighting over, I suppose.
Hope they all shoot the lights out tomorrow.
He did shoot great yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised. Now let's see it again this season?
Offense- Go freshamn Zak- If your feet are set and you are open shoot it. If you dribble it better end in a layup or pass.
Defense/Rebounding- keep doing what you do!
He's good on those jumpers from the right elbow.
Huh? Irvin shot 8-14 yesterday and 6-13 today.
took some terrible shots and put a 3 ball off the side of the backboard. Things I've come to expect from Zak. Great on defense, rebounding, and getting to the basket today. Shooting, not good. Ya know a few of those 6 makes were layups. I'm talking about his jumpshot selection
His jumper inside the arc is fine (he hit a couple today). His 3's have been more of a struggle.
Anyway, we're supposed to be appreciating him in this thread.
I didn't know Freddy P. Soft was present.
jump shooting as opposed to layups.
His career percentage isn't that bad at all. He just has long stretches where his misses aren't even close. Also, he's got a wonky looking release. He's getting out of the slump at the right time it would seem.
MRW he puts up a long 3 he has no business putting up.
But yes, his D was outstanding today.
All I ask is that he goes to the rack more, he is a good finisher in the paint! Way to ball Zak!!!
He took some shots and missed but kept attacking the rim. That's big. Great game for Zak.
Good to see him bounce back after some tough games earlier this year. Keep at it young man!
(great defense vs Illinois and Purdue plus shooting and toughness!)
I wonder if many of you have ever played or coached a team sport in your lives. Some insight ... D1 sports are hard. Players, and teams, are going to have ups and downs. Quit lambasting guys or the entire team for going through a touch stretch or even an extended slump. Thank God our Head Coach understands this and never gave up on Irvin, or the entire squad would be on their way back to Ann Arbor today without an NCAA bid.
his dribble drives. He was like a man on a mission.
Good for Zak - would have been a shame if his Michigan career ended the way he was playing 10 games ago.
Wonder who the next hero will be - seems to be two different players every day!
took two dumb 3s but he played very well otherwise. he's been pretty solid the past couple weeks since he stopped playing hero ball.
to the hoop he is excellent. Good defense. Has played hard through a shooting dry spell. Applaud Zak's effort and "stick withitness", even if not his shot selection.
No question he's always played hard. His defence against bigger guys is always impressive. He's had a nice career.
The entire team is just playing with so much heart right now. Irvin was hustling, rebounding, just flat out working hard. I love him going to the hole. Long jumpers not so much but he's reduced the silly shots/plays. Definitely was a difference maker today.
Keep it going Zak!! We need you.
GO BLUE!!
Wilson had a great game, but we aren't in the semis right now without Irvin these last two games.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/03/with_detractors_silen…
Brendan Quinn wrote about Irvin by way of Walton loving his roommate.
Nitpickers are gonna nitpick.