Pretty spot on Brian. There is something missing with this group. Aside from all that you mentioned, I just don't think Walton and Irvin know how to lead. I'm not sure Caris and Spike were going to be great at being leaders but I do know they would be better than Zak and Derrick. They both are pretty good 'Robins' but I don't know if they can be 'Batmen'.
I still think, like you mentioned, the loss of Caris and to a lesser degree Spike has screwed this team way more than what is being said publically. I mean, if you would have told me at the beginning of Novemeber that Caris would only play one full BT game and Spike would play zero and UM would still basically control its own destiny for a Tourney bid, I probably would have not believed it.
Another thing for me is this team just isn't very inspiring. Even last year, despite the defensive issues, there was more fire and edge to the team. This year, it just seems like there is something missing from an consistent energy perspective. It's been a tough team to watch and enjoy.
I don't expect to see a huge jump in Def Eff ratings but I feel it's more than possible to see players like MAAR, Dawkins, DJ, Donnal, etc make a jump. Experience is huge wrt defense, IMO. Game to game matchups can be a little confusing for younger players and what worked vs Purdue, might not work vs Iowa and what works vs Minnesota might not work vs Maryland.
Like I said in my post above...there is some processing issues with some guys. They just aren't as quick to react as they need to be. That is primarily fixed through experience. I think they are making some strides. Getting Caris back should help as you add an experienced defender to the mix.
We've seen Robinson and Donnal show improvement, there is no reason that we can't see others make similar progressions.
that is 100% on MAAR...he never got the the level of the ball. Gesell's 'drive' baseline was not nearly effective enough to warrant that clean of a look. If MAAR drops to the ball level on the drive, that passing lane dissolves.
BL drive # 2 is again a ball level issue by Irvin and MAAR. One of the 2 needs to 'help the helper', who was Robinson. The other helper needs to zone up the 2 players at the top until guys can rotate. Of course, Walton does a poor job of cutting off the baseline and in reality he needs to send the driver(Clemons) towards the screen.
The 'switching screen' issue is not as cut and dry as it might seem. Certainly communication is part of it...no question. But I do know Michigan uses different switching schemes and they probably employ those schemes based on who is setting and who is receiving the screen. Frankly, I think this are just 'coverage busts' more than anything.
On the baseline screening action where Uthoff gets a clean look...Aubrey over-helps on the inital screen on the right side. Robinson has this thing covered perfectly. But in over-helping, Uthoff has a 2 or 3 step lead on Dawkins and Donnal is screwed...if he shows, Woodbury has a 2 footer. So he actaully makes the smart call, protects inside and forces the perimeter shot. Unfortnautely, the guy shooting is the current BT POY.
P&R D 3 isn't THAT bad...Dawkins could do better getting over the ball screen. But that is a decently guarded 3 point shot, IMO.
P&R D 1 is all MAAR...that should be a charge. I know he's got Uthoff but the spacing by Iowa isn't great and he needs to force Woodbury to make a decision...go score or pass. Instead he has an uncontested 0 footer.
Overall, I think communication is an issue, but I don't think it's THE issue. Communication will only help insofar as guys are reasonably is the correct positions and understand their jobs fully. Like JB says, there are guys who are still in tape delay on D and that is biggest thing that needs improving. Understanding better basic defensive principles and knowing the gameplan are paramount right now.
and never made it campus. Not sure he counts as a swing and a miss. Looney would be a miss like Wiggins would have been a miss last year...sure UM would have loved to him but there was never a real connection made. Looney talked UM up a little but that talk was just that, talk.
Timmy is on the bottom left corner and Trey is at the top...once GRob catches the pass Timmy and Trey both do a little hop at the same time. Check it out! It is freaking priceless!!!
All 3 points(both feet and the ball) have to be in the frontcourt before over and back can be called...so on that point you are correct.
However, once the ball is establsihed in the frontcourt, if an offensive player is deemed to have possession(which is what I believe the refs felt Stauskas had) if any part of the ball or your body touches into the back court, it is indeed, an over and back.
The argument is about possession then, not having all 3 points established because the all 3 points HAD BEEN establsihed. So essentially, the halfcourt line becomes and out of bounds line if the offense has established possession of the ball(which the refs said he did have).
It was a tough play for Nik because Bryd was bearing down on him and I don't think Nik realized exactly where he was when he picked up the ball.
The interesting part it, it was so, so close that I don't think Painter would have bitched about it too much but in the end I believe they got the call correct,
philosophy for JB, it was just a one game thing. JB made the call to have only one or 2 guys crash the glass in order to thwart MSU's transition game...I'm not sure that will be a consistent strategy going forward.
in the opposite corner as Zack's man rotates over and has both feet in the key. The angle wasn't great for a kick out pass to Zack if you watch the play, but that is in part because Tim doesn't force Zack's man(Aaron White) to really address him. What we should see is a 3 for Zack or a pass from Zack to Trey assuming Trey's man(Cartwright) helps on Zack and then Trey has a 3 or an open lane to drive.
Like most of the Iowa game, there was a lack of crispness where UM either seemed a little slow in making cuts. passes or they got impatient and didn't force the defense to put all of their cards on the table. If Tim simply stays with his drive a mite longer, I think White continues to help a little more freeing up the angle to pass to Zack for a clean 3 or Zack passes out to Burke who can then go to work.
If you watch the play in realtime, Tim is too quick to pass to Stu and that is what allows Iowa to reasonably defend this particular exchange.
I'm sure this issue has been discussed before but at some point in the evaluation of the offense, is the any consideration given to the idea that maybe running the ball into a D who is stacked in the box is purposeful in that the OC/Off staff have confidence that they can score at will while at the same time keep NW(in this case) off the field?
Is it possible that Borges based on what he saw in the first half figured, "hey, we can essentially score on every drive in the 2nd half, sans TO's...3rd and mediums do not scare me, therefore lets try and pound it, work the clock AND put points on the board"?
Quite frankly, I don't think it is a bad thing to work clock if you have 100% confidence that you can score on the other guy...especially when the other guy is giving your defense some fits. It just seemed like there was such a calm and confidence with the offense in the 2nd half, they seemed in complete control.
Is it completely out of whack to think that part of the offensive strategy was to methodically move through the NW D with the idea that UM was going to eat clock and put up points?
their win vs ASU is a nice one, but their game vs WMU is also something that you wouldn't expect from a Top 15 type team. I'd flip flop TAMU and Illinois...even though they came from ahead to lose at home, Okla St is a legit Top 10 team. Illinois barely beating WMU shouldn't be rewarded so handsomely. Sure Illinois ASU win looks great with ASU punking USC but if you make those kinds of comparisons, Michigan should be closer to Illinois since UM punked WMU.
but I think this doom and gloom stuff is pretty odd.
I'm not blind to the fact that UM has issues. But we are in year 2 of a new system , UM is playing 3 freshman(2 of whom were lightly recruited by ANY D-I school), 2 sophomores and 2 former walk-ons on a game in game out basis are logging important minutes and UM's got exactly 2 guys over 6'8, one of whom has had his share of struggles this season.
Regardless of what the stats say, this team is 12-3 and maybe they are overrated...but damn I'll take overrated any day of the week and twice on Sunday compared to what this program has seen in the past.
I also think the stats about the Final Four and Elite 8 teams is retarded...are we really putting this UM team in the same breath as teams that are Final Four or Elite 8 bound? Most fans, are simply ecstatic that this team is even in a position to make the dance...the fact that you are siting stats about UM being suspect in the postseason because of defense, wow...think about what you just wrote. Those stats assume UM will be in the dance...yet were are expressing concern because it looks like they aren't likely to make a run in the postseason.
Well, maybe I should be chastised for lowering expectations, but if UM makes the dance, I'd be more than happy for them to be considered overrated and not likely to make a deep run in March.
had 22 pts and lead his team in scoring the last game of pool play vs. Taiwan. Since the first game where he was 1/8 from 3, LLP has picked things up and is 8/20 from 3, which doesn't include shooting stats from the last game vs Taiwan(shootong stats not yet available). He is averaging just under 12ppg in about 20 minutes of play. Just an FYI.
Recent Comments
Pretty spot on Brian. There is something missing with this group. Aside from all that you mentioned, I just don't think Walton and Irvin know how to lead. I'm not sure Caris and Spike were going to be great at being leaders but I do know they would be better than Zak and Derrick. They both are pretty good 'Robins' but I don't know if they can be 'Batmen'.
I still think, like you mentioned, the loss of Caris and to a lesser degree Spike has screwed this team way more than what is being said publically. I mean, if you would have told me at the beginning of Novemeber that Caris would only play one full BT game and Spike would play zero and UM would still basically control its own destiny for a Tourney bid, I probably would have not believed it.
Another thing for me is this team just isn't very inspiring. Even last year, despite the defensive issues, there was more fire and edge to the team. This year, it just seems like there is something missing from an consistent energy perspective. It's been a tough team to watch and enjoy.
I don't expect to see a huge jump in Def Eff ratings but I feel it's more than possible to see players like MAAR, Dawkins, DJ, Donnal, etc make a jump. Experience is huge wrt defense, IMO. Game to game matchups can be a little confusing for younger players and what worked vs Purdue, might not work vs Iowa and what works vs Minnesota might not work vs Maryland.
Like I said in my post above...there is some processing issues with some guys. They just aren't as quick to react as they need to be. That is primarily fixed through experience. I think they are making some strides. Getting Caris back should help as you add an experienced defender to the mix.
We've seen Robinson and Donnal show improvement, there is no reason that we can't see others make similar progressions.
that is 100% on MAAR...he never got the the level of the ball. Gesell's 'drive' baseline was not nearly effective enough to warrant that clean of a look. If MAAR drops to the ball level on the drive, that passing lane dissolves.
BL drive # 2 is again a ball level issue by Irvin and MAAR. One of the 2 needs to 'help the helper', who was Robinson. The other helper needs to zone up the 2 players at the top until guys can rotate. Of course, Walton does a poor job of cutting off the baseline and in reality he needs to send the driver(Clemons) towards the screen.
The 'switching screen' issue is not as cut and dry as it might seem. Certainly communication is part of it...no question. But I do know Michigan uses different switching schemes and they probably employ those schemes based on who is setting and who is receiving the screen. Frankly, I think this are just 'coverage busts' more than anything.
On the baseline screening action where Uthoff gets a clean look...Aubrey over-helps on the inital screen on the right side. Robinson has this thing covered perfectly. But in over-helping, Uthoff has a 2 or 3 step lead on Dawkins and Donnal is screwed...if he shows, Woodbury has a 2 footer. So he actaully makes the smart call, protects inside and forces the perimeter shot. Unfortnautely, the guy shooting is the current BT POY.
P&R D 3 isn't THAT bad...Dawkins could do better getting over the ball screen. But that is a decently guarded 3 point shot, IMO.
P&R D 1 is all MAAR...that should be a charge. I know he's got Uthoff but the spacing by Iowa isn't great and he needs to force Woodbury to make a decision...go score or pass. Instead he has an uncontested 0 footer.
Overall, I think communication is an issue, but I don't think it's THE issue. Communication will only help insofar as guys are reasonably is the correct positions and understand their jobs fully. Like JB says, there are guys who are still in tape delay on D and that is biggest thing that needs improving. Understanding better basic defensive principles and knowing the gameplan are paramount right now.
and never made it campus. Not sure he counts as a swing and a miss. Looney would be a miss like Wiggins would have been a miss last year...sure UM would have loved to him but there was never a real connection made. Looney talked UM up a little but that talk was just that, talk.
Timmy is on the bottom left corner and Trey is at the top...once GRob catches the pass Timmy and Trey both do a little hop at the same time. Check it out! It is freaking priceless!!!
All 3 points(both feet and the ball) have to be in the frontcourt before over and back can be called...so on that point you are correct.
However, once the ball is establsihed in the frontcourt, if an offensive player is deemed to have possession(which is what I believe the refs felt Stauskas had) if any part of the ball or your body touches into the back court, it is indeed, an over and back.
The argument is about possession then, not having all 3 points established because the all 3 points HAD BEEN establsihed. So essentially, the halfcourt line becomes and out of bounds line if the offense has established possession of the ball(which the refs said he did have).
It was a tough play for Nik because Bryd was bearing down on him and I don't think Nik realized exactly where he was when he picked up the ball.
The interesting part it, it was so, so close that I don't think Painter would have bitched about it too much but in the end I believe they got the call correct,
philosophy for JB, it was just a one game thing. JB made the call to have only one or 2 guys crash the glass in order to thwart MSU's transition game...I'm not sure that will be a consistent strategy going forward.
in the opposite corner as Zack's man rotates over and has both feet in the key. The angle wasn't great for a kick out pass to Zack if you watch the play, but that is in part because Tim doesn't force Zack's man(Aaron White) to really address him. What we should see is a 3 for Zack or a pass from Zack to Trey assuming Trey's man(Cartwright) helps on Zack and then Trey has a 3 or an open lane to drive.
Like most of the Iowa game, there was a lack of crispness where UM either seemed a little slow in making cuts. passes or they got impatient and didn't force the defense to put all of their cards on the table. If Tim simply stays with his drive a mite longer, I think White continues to help a little more freeing up the angle to pass to Zack for a clean 3 or Zack passes out to Burke who can then go to work.
If you watch the play in realtime, Tim is too quick to pass to Stu and that is what allows Iowa to reasonably defend this particular exchange.
I'm sure this issue has been discussed before but at some point in the evaluation of the offense, is the any consideration given to the idea that maybe running the ball into a D who is stacked in the box is purposeful in that the OC/Off staff have confidence that they can score at will while at the same time keep NW(in this case) off the field?
Is it possible that Borges based on what he saw in the first half figured, "hey, we can essentially score on every drive in the 2nd half, sans TO's...3rd and mediums do not scare me, therefore lets try and pound it, work the clock AND put points on the board"?
Quite frankly, I don't think it is a bad thing to work clock if you have 100% confidence that you can score on the other guy...especially when the other guy is giving your defense some fits. It just seemed like there was such a calm and confidence with the offense in the 2nd half, they seemed in complete control.
Is it completely out of whack to think that part of the offensive strategy was to methodically move through the NW D with the idea that UM was going to eat clock and put up points?
their win vs ASU is a nice one, but their game vs WMU is also something that you wouldn't expect from a Top 15 type team. I'd flip flop TAMU and Illinois...even though they came from ahead to lose at home, Okla St is a legit Top 10 team. Illinois barely beating WMU shouldn't be rewarded so handsomely. Sure Illinois ASU win looks great with ASU punking USC but if you make those kinds of comparisons, Michigan should be closer to Illinois since UM punked WMU.