national champs baby
michfan4borw
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| Date | Title | Body |
|---|---|---|
| 3 weeks 3 days ago | MSU will be very good, but so will Michigan |
So why should Michigan fans "be concerned"? The last time Michigan was blown out at MSU and played a close game at Crisler was in 2009-10. The results of the following season were more than favorable. And that doesn't even account for the upgrade in talent since those seasons. Here's the history:
2009-10 season (LOST at MSU 64-48, LOST at home to MSU 56-57) In 2009-10, Lucas, Roe, Summers and Nix started against us in one of the two games. All four of them returned in 2010. That's 4 of 5 starters that returned to play us in 2010-11. 2010-11 season (WON at MSU 61-57, WON at home vs MSU 70-63)
Also, our starting lineups (starting true freshmen in CAPS) were the following: 2007-08: Coleman, Sims, Udoh, Manny, Grady and later it varied with Udoh, Sims and Manny staying starters. 2008-09: Merrit, Manny, STU, Sims, Shepherd and later Lee, Perry, Manny, NOVAK, Gibson 2009-10: Novak, Stu, Manny, Sims, Perry and later Novak, Stu, Manny, Sims, MORRIS 2010-11: SMOT, Morgan (RS freshman), Novak, Morris, HARDAWAY, and later Stu, Morgan (RS freshman), Novak, Morris, HARDAWAY 2011-12: Smot, Morgan (RS sophomore), Novak, BURKE, Hardaway and later Stu, Morgan (RS sophomore), Novak, BURKE, Hardaway 2012-13: Morgan (RS junior), ROBINSON, STAUSKAS, Hardaway, Burke and later MCGARY, ROBINSON, STAUSKAS, Hardaway, Burke
The returning sophomores that started as true freshmen are as follows: In 2009, Michigan returned Stu Douglas and Zack Novak In 2010, Michigan returned Darius Morris In 2011, Michigan returned THJ and Evan Smotrycz In 2012, Michigan returned Trey Burke. In 2013, Michigan will return Nik Stauskas, GRIII, and MM.
I can't remember the last time 3 true freshmen starters returned. Maybe it was the Fab Five's second run? I think there are many reasons to not be concerned about MSU. Michigan will respect MSU's team as always. Michigan though will also be prepared to compete. Most here agree that MSU will be very good next year. I think MSU will even be the B1G favorite. Michigan is not going to concede the title though or even give up much ground, if any at all.
If we are not concerned about MSU in 2013-14, why is that delusional?
|
| 3 weeks 4 days ago | Uninformative |
Michigan's offense is not at all based on a player creating his own shot. Burke could do it when the team needed it, but it was usually with the shot clock winding down. THJ certainly didn't get to the hole based on his own moves dribbling the ball. He would get to the hoop on occassion after the ball moved around within the offense or off of a set pick or screen. Beilein tweeks the offense each season to his personnel. Before Burke, the offense was based on the skills of Morris (a completely different PG than Burke). The last year and half, Beilein adjusted it to Burke's strength. I think you're kidding yourself if you think Beilein can't adjust the offense to all the different talent he will have next season. Also, getting into the lane is not the same as "creating your own shot." Once a pick or screen is set, it's up to the player to read the defense and take what the defense gives him. You seem to be suggesting that Spike and Walton won't be able to get into the lane and draw the defense. If your fellow fans think this, you will be disappointed. |
| 3 weeks 4 days ago | "MSU *will be more diverse offensively" |
*should be I expect Izzo to kill any possibility of having a creative offense. It's just not his style or ability. Harris and maybe Payne will make his offense look good at moments, but it's not an offense to fear. Michigan has a great opportunity to up its defense with the returning sophomores and Morgan/Horford in the paint. Zak Irvin has great length too. The ability of Spike or Walton to defend at the PG position will be huge. |
| 3 weeks 4 days ago | Appling is not terrible |
He is an above-average, PG. He is a very good guard. There's nothing terrible about his game. |
| 3 weeks 4 days ago | Good depth for 2013-14 |
(PG) Valentine, Appling, Trice (SG) Harris, Byrd, Ellis (frosh) (SF) Dawson (PF) Payne, Kaminski,Schilling (frosh) (C) Costello, Gauna
Did I miss anyone? |
| 3 weeks 4 days ago | Nix |
on a good day could draw double teams. Problem for MSU was his good days were usually only against Michigan. Next year will be interesting. MSU will be great on D again, but its offensive style of play has never impressed me. I expect the same next year. |
| 3 weeks 4 days ago | My favorite MM play |
Beauty of a no-look pass against a difficult Syracuse defense. MSU will be slight favorite to win the B1G, but Indiana, Michigan and OSU aren't going anywhere with the recruits they got coming in. MSU otoh has a critical 2014 class to develop with 2013 being so underwhelming. |
| 4 weeks 8 hours ago | You don't go out looking for a job dressed like that? |
You don't go out looking for a job dressed like that? On a weekday?
Answer: Brian's title |
| 5 weeks 2 hours ago | different interpretation |
I thought Beilein was joking about Spike's recent hype from his performance in the championship game. It seemed to me he was asking if there was a scheduled date to announce Spike's declaration to go NBA or stay in school. Beilein said "dates" but then corrected himself by saying "there's no date?" |
| 5 weeks 3 hours ago | defensive length! |
That lineup could definitely get stops. Word is that Irvin plays good defense. Stauskas has good ball handling and if he takes that up a notch, I could see him playing the point if Walton is not ready to run things. Before Burke decided last year to stay, Stauskas was prepping himself for PG with ball handling drills (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_keYLb0WhU)
Stauskas Irvin GRIII Mitch Horford or Morgan BENCH: Horford or Morgan, Beifeldt, Levert, Spike, Walton, Donnal Maybe Donnal or Walton redshirt?
|
| 5 weeks 1 day ago | thanks THJ |
you were a great leader this year |
| 5 weeks 1 day ago | Happy for him or happy for Michigan |
THJ's decision will make me happy. Before he came to Michigan, Beilein had only taken the program to the NCAA tournament once in 2009. THJ as a freshman was a pleasant surprise and propelled us to an 8 seed. I would love to see him be the first senior to have serious playing time under Beilein. |
| 5 weeks 1 day ago | great idea and great effort |
My suggestion is putting more emphasis on bball than football, simply because Beilein has achieved more than Hoke so far. I know Hoke won't let that stand for too long though. Maybe the hardwood block M instead of the 50 yard line? |
| 7 weeks 4 days ago | before football, it was a sci-fi war speech |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq-cegxBEpM @1:08 Bill Pullman, acting as the US president, says " . . . for it is the day when the world declared in one voice: 'We will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight. We're going to live on; we're going to survive. Today, we celebrate our . . . ." |
| 8 weeks 5 days ago | Valenti trolling |
Was an obvious attempt to get ratings after VCU destroyed Akron. That game had no relevance on the game today against Michigan. |
| 10 weeks 9 hours ago | it's close but I agree |
Craft is equal to or better than THJ. Harris is not yet at their level. |
| 10 weeks 9 hours ago | context |
definition: The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed. You can't pin blame on THJ for team statistics like team rebounding or team defense. Lapses by his younger teammates in these areas doesn't make THJ a worse rebounder or defender. You can however pin blame on THJ if he himself is a poor rebounder or turns the ball over. For a 2 guard, he rebounds at a high rate. I don't think he turns the ball over very much; certainly he's improved from last year. Contrast these ideas with the obvious fact that THJ is a leader on the team. The team's record is 25-6. I guess you can call a record a statistic, but context gives these statistics different weight in this particular discussion. |
| 10 weeks 9 hours ago | Ekpe |
Udoh. |
| 10 weeks 9 hours ago | so you want |
the youngest team to be great at rebounding while already being great on offense and not turning the ball over. Yes, we all want a perfect team. Maybe we'll get it one day, but the program is still growing. It also helps when the top talent we get sticks around. Imagine if Darius Morris and Ekpe Udoh (even Smot too) stuck around. Much more experience, much more depth. We probably win the B1G this year. |
| 10 weeks 10 hours ago | totally agree |
Both teams are nearly equal (IU being better), but our best players literally had free opportunities at home to be the equal of IU. Michigan had its opportunity and didn't take it. IU doesn't get blown out all that often. Last year, yes; this year, not so much. Hopefully Michigan learns from that loss and continues getting better. |
| 10 weeks 10 hours ago | THJ is a guard |
at the 2 position. He's rebounding at a high rate for his position. He's still a guard though . . . playing with young bigs. |
| 10 weeks 10 hours ago | the excuse |
young legs; young minds. Yes, I agree we have now have athletes. But our young bigs (McGary, GRIII, Beifeldt and Horford) that play have such little experience that mental lapses result. At this level, to win, you have to be solid at everything--at a high speed. These guys don't have enough experience to be solid at everything every night on instinct. It's like taking an exam. You study all the material and may know it, but if you can't recall the information out on reflex, you probably don't know it well enough to get the right answers in the allotted time. You might still pass, but you're not necessarily going to get an A grade. If our young bigs have a great night rebounding, they still might miss a defensive rotations or miss making the right pass or fail to make the right read etc. When they do well in any of these other things, they might forget to find the right man to box out. Just give the program time to keep growing. We should be patient. We all want excellence now, but each team (except the disappointment of year 3) of Beilein's tenure has been getting better than the previous one. It's doing this despite our top shelf talent not sticking around to be upperclassmen. |
| 10 weeks 17 hours ago | your criteria does not compute |
You're judging THJ based on team accomplishments? By that standard, Burke doesn't deserve POY. You're now also suggesting that THJ can't rebound or defend sufficiently bc the team doesn't do either sufficiently? That's ridiculous. Again, the team plays many freshmen. THJ's individual abilities cannot make the freshmen grow up faster. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the difference between first and fifth place is 2 or less games. It's so close, there are 4 top ten teams in the B1G tourney, which is unprecedented. 1st team B1G is about the best individual players (not the best success of the team of an individual player). Otherwise, Burke shouldn't be POY. Burke however is the best player in the league ...on a fifth place team, ranked #6 in the country. I think Brian is more of a football guy than a bball guy. Maybe you too. |
| 10 weeks 17 hours ago | I agree with your statement about favoring upperclass over frosh |
all things being equal. I just disagree that THJ as a junior is equal to Harris as a freshman. THJ is much better. |
| 10 weeks 21 hours ago | B1G coaches don't agree with you |
You seem to be missing my point: MSU has a senior and 2 juniors leading 2-3 freshmen. Michigan has Burke and THJ (Morgan missed too much time to insert here) leading 5 freshmen. To have similar records, THJ has to be the 2nd piece of arguably the best backcourt in the conference. The coaches probably thought as much. Here's what they probably saw: THJ is the second best scorer on a team that lacks elite-team defense. Without consistent scoring to make up that deficiency, Michigan obviously loses more. He can rebound and take the ball up the court in transition (which is how/when Michigan thrives). He also averages 4.5 rpg. Upon further reflection, it's THJ or GRIII taking on the best player at positions 1-4 (note: only Indiana has its best player at the 5 arguably). As for leadership,without THJ, the team loses at then #9 Minnesota (21pts on 7/8, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 6 turnovers). In other big B1G games: @OSU, THJ had 12 pts, 5 rebs behind Burke's 15 and 4. @ Indiana, he had 18 points behind Burke's 25. THJ was huge in the game on 2/5 vs. OSU scoring 23 pts. when the freshmen couldn't get it going. He hit a career-high six three pointers that night. Stauskas hasn't done that despite his talent from deep. @Wisconsin, THJ had 18pts, 4 rebs, 3 assists to Burke's 19pts, 5rebs, 4 assists, 2 steals. In fairness, he did not show up at all @MSU. But only Burke did. Against MSU at home, THJ was the only player besides Burke to have an assist; THJ had 2 and Burke had 10. THJ also led the team in rebounds in that game with 7 alongside Morgan's 7 rebounds. His shooting % was not great in getting 6 points though. After Burke's leading stat line @Purdue, THJ had 16pts, 5 rebs, 1 assist, 1 steal to Stauskas's 17 pts, 1 reb, 1 assist 1 steal. @PSU, THJ and Burke led the team. THJ had 19 pts, 7 rebs, 3 assists, 1 block and 2 TOs to Burke's 18 pts, 2 rebs, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 6 TOs. Home vs. Indiana, THJ and GRIII had similar stat lines behind Burke's leading stat line. He was Two-time Big Ten Player of the Week (Nov. 12, Jan. 21) ... Starting all 25 games played. Only Burke surpassed this number of B1G player-of-the-week award, winning it 3 times. THJ is the second best player on a 25-6 team, one with the youngest rotation in the B1G--the best conference in the NCAA. It's arguably the best season of B1G teams in the history of the conference too. All due respect: your comment seems like a broad opinion without much to back it up. Some fans are never satisfied with a player's great season. |
| 10 weeks 1 day ago | THJ is an upperclassman on one of the youngest teams in NCAA |
Yeah--he has similar numbers as Gary Harris, but THJ has to guard the best option in the backcourt of the opposing team or guard the best 1-2 options overall on the opposing team. He also has to bring it consistently, because his teammates that are freshmen often play like that, like freshmen. He has to bring rebounding too, because if not, Michigan weakness at rebounding becomes glaring. With 5 freshmen in the main rotation, THJ has to go get that ball over the bigs on MSU, IU, OSU, MN, etc. This is moreso during the injury of Morgan. Basically, THJ has to lead Michigan along with Burke. Harris did not have the obligation to lead this season, b/c MSU has experience. The experienced bigs on MSU can also block out the opposing bigs more effectively than Michigan's bigs, so Harris doesn't have the same onus on him as THJ to rebound or defend. Harris plays with the following rotation of upperclassmen: Appling, Payne, Nix. So the numbers may be similar, but THJ has to play better for Michigan to have a similar record as MSU. That's how I see the comparison, fwiw. |
| 10 weeks 5 days ago | recent HBO film |
Mea Maxima Culpa It's a documentary, but it's very revealing and shocking--to the point of being almost unbelievable. |
| 11 weeks 2 days ago | **intellect |
**intellect |
| 13 weeks 2 days ago | Derrick Nix gives maryjane a bad name |
if you don't like my fire, then don't come around . . . |
| 14 weeks 5 days ago | Replay the game @ 16:03 left in the 2nd half on (espn3.com) |
@16:13, Michigan is down by 2 pts. and rebounds a missed jumpshot by Wisconsin. THJ has the ball in transition with Stauskas arriving at the bottom corner spotting up for a 3 ball. THJ makes the pass and Stauskas shoots the ball with a defender flying past him. Stauskas shoots it short, but follows his shot (note: good fundamentals on the play) for the rebound. Stauskas get the rebound and takes a dribble to go strong to the hoop. As he dribbles, Wisconsin's guard (jersey # 1) falls to the ground in front of Stauskas, not only tripping Stauskas but hitting the ball as it is near the ground on Stauskas's dribble. The ball's natural momentum is completely altered by the Wisconsin body and makes a direct line out of bounds. What is so insanely frustrating is the position of the referee. He's on the baseline looking at the play the whole time. He doesn't call the foul against Wisky for tripping (from not boxing Stauskas out). Not only that, but he calls it out of bounds on Stauskas!!!! It makes absolutely no sense. What was the ref seeing?!? How can I not assume incompetence or blatant bias on the ref (rhetorical question)? |
