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Date	Title	Body
1 day 11 hours ago	How about Kevin Johnson from the suns?	Similar size. Both can score big or get lots is assist. Both great controlling the ball in half court or running the break. Burke prob better 3pt shooter. KJ maybe more athletic.
4 weeks 5 days ago	Stauskas sat a lot in Final 4...	When it was crunch time Coach B ran with Levert in the tourney. That's why I think Stauskas could be hurt most by these announcements. Levert brings a more diverse skill set at this point and that's saying a lot bc Levert still clearly has room to grow. He was scout team until late last season. Also you underestimate Irvin. He is better than Stauskas on Day 1. I think he sits initially just out of respect for Stauskas but like Stauskas pushed out Vogrich he will get pushed out of starting spot early. The question is what does Coach B want off the bench first: Stauskas - sniper, spread the floor, hit threes, nice passer into low block (McGary to get more looks in O). Levert - second ball handler, better defense, better rebounding, better slasher. That's all assuming neither improve. I think Levert puts on weight and works on his 3 ball. Stauskas wil have to get LOTS better at D, become a playmaker with the ball in his hands(make plays for himself AND others). all and all a great problem to have. I like how many different types of weapons the team will have at the 2-4 spot. Some bigs, slashers, snipers, all with length, all with 1 yr in system except 5 star Mr. Indiana. Heck Donnal could make noise at the 4 too.
4 weeks 5 days ago	Stauskas will be 6th man..maybe 7th	Yuu heard it here first.  By big ten season Stauskas will be the back up and first guy off the bench behind Irvin and GR3. No way Irvin is not starting at the 2 by B1G play and that doesn't leave room on the court for Stauskas. I actually think Levert could pass Stauskas for 6th man too. Levert was getting big boy minutes late in the tourney while Staukas sat. Levert plays better D and get always get his shot off and can even run the offense as the 2 guard. Stauskas just stands in the corner and can't guard his shadow.  2-3 spots will be interesting.
5 weeks 5 days ago	Donnal looked like he has skills	But man his compeition looked like they were a bunch of 12 yr olds. I liked the alley oops and dunks though. Shows that he likes to try and play above the rim at least. Once he adds to his frame he will be a a nice big (assuming he can rebound at Big Ten Level). I think based on his height and O skill set he passes Max early likely resulting in a Max transfer. Irvin and Walton look like studs. Hopefully Walton can hit the 3 in Big Ten play. We saw what a PG shooting 3s does for the spacing on this team with Burke. Helps a lot. McGary and GR3 come back and UM could win the Big Ten / get a 1-3s seed. McGary and GR3 leave and it will be 8 seed. Too much talent not to make the tourney. While ours bigs outside of McGary are role players they are solid. I'm expecting big things from Stauskas and Levert next year. Mini leaps for Stauskas and big LEAP from Levert. I think Burke and THjr are long gone. I agree with Brian, staying for a senior year is a stigma at this point. Usually reserved for Euro league type players on most occassions. I don't think THjr wants that.
6 weeks 5 days ago	good	B/c I think they will pretty much eliminate all QB designed run plays given the QB depth chart. Probably tell Gardner not to run unless its 3rd down scrambles. Hopefully Gallon and Dileo get on the same page as Gardner for some sweet check-downs or audibles. Both guys are slippery in the open field.
6 weeks 6 days ago	sounds like Irvin is a 2-3.	sounds like irvin is a 2-3. If that is the case and THjr stays where does that effect the rotation? Does he back up THjr and Stauskas for 10-15mins? Do one of them sit and he starts? Is playing time more evenly distributed among the 3? Looks like a good problem to have. Seems like most reports indicate that Irvin is immediately one of the best players so you'd think he starts...and Coach B doesn't suually use much of a bench...but can't imagine he'd take Stauskas shooting off the court much. I'm thinking the 3 share time equally with Zak not starting but who knows.
8 weeks 4 days ago	The more I think about it the uglier its going to be	I don't see how UM keeps it under 15 TOs. Really. I think the difference is UM will make them pay with just enough 3s to get the W (I hope). I just don't see how Spike, THjr, and Stauskas won't have 12 TOs between them. Seriously. Not feeling good about that. Doesn't help that Spike and Burke are short and will have VERY long players on them. McGary and the bigs are going to be huge. They are going to post up mid court as the safety value while Spike and Burke pass and cut to get the ball back. Frankly, I want Stauskas and THjr to touch the ball in the back court as little as possible. I know when we break we will make them pay with the 3 ball though. There will be lots of open looks. Hopefully McGary and Horford crash the boards hard.
8 weeks 5 days ago	People don't know squat about a press	You don't beat a press (at least a good one) with just your PG. Too many people here saying Burke will handle the press. Burke is going to be passing the ball before he gets past the FT (on OUR end). Its going to be up to our 2 and 3 and probably McGary to pass their way out of it. THAT is what should make us nervous.  I'm sure Burke will come off a few curls and will be able to sneak up court but for the most part its going to take 2 or 3 passes to get it up court for a good look. It's going to be on Spike, Stauskas, and THjr to avoid the TOs. Burke will be fine but we won't be brining it up much. Thank God GR3 got warm...he's going to have a lot of looks once we break the press. We need to fnish with DUNKS or 3s.
8 weeks 6 days ago	or they do what any one of us would do	Go to the next level (take the promotion) and don't forget the people that got you there (don't burn bridges). I'm completely find with guys going pro, hopefully they are super successful while repping UM on national TV. Then they can retire and maybe be a talking head on TV and rep UM some more. Asking kids to forego millions so our alma mater is a little better is selfish. It's on the HIGHLY paid coaches to get the next one in recruiting.
8 weeks 6 days ago	not bad for 5th team in B1G	This is why this season (B1G season) has been a disappointment. Too much talent to be 5th in the B1G. Too much athletisicm to be this bad at D. I think Belien is learning a lot about coaching these Frosh who come in so highly touted. They are NOT highly ranked because of Defense and probably never practiced it or are eager to. When you get the lower ranked kids they eat it up bc they want PT and don't get it handed  handed to them. Just need to look at the hustle on D between Stauskas/GR3 and Levert to see it. Hopefully with the wings staying and getting the message and Belien learning how to coach them we will be better on both ends next year. Also will be good if/when we have talented enough players that prevent 3-4 frosh from getting 30+minutes. 1-2 frosh getting start minutes is ideal.   speaking of drills, WSJ had an article on B-Ball and coaching. OSU runs a nice rebounding drill that Belien needs to run. Ohio State runs a drill in practice called "war rebounding," which is about as delicate as it sounds. Coaches cover the basket with a bubble so the shots can't go in, thus forcing the defense to battle the offense for every loose ball. The torture lasts until the defense claims a certain number of rebounds, or head coach Thad Matta has mercy on the panting, sweating souls of his players. The drill's maximum length: about 45 minutes.
9 weeks 2 days ago	Looks like getting to the sweet 16 will be on Levert and Spike	Levert will get the call to guard Wolters I'm sure. Spike will be needed to help out on VCU's press.   Burke will have to be his usualy self and carry the offense but these to frosh and their play will go a long way to determining UM's chances. Not looking forward to a VCU matchup.
9 weeks 4 days ago	for the 2nd year in a row, UM will be the upset pick	UM will be the upset pick of opening weekend... 5-5 in the last 10 games with no O rhythm and consistently bad D.
9 weeks 5 days ago	Horford and McGary were the story	Rebounding is the key. The bigs and GR3 and Stauskas all chiiped and UM wins comforably. Rebounds = win. Even if perimeter D is below average (ie Bad). Second chance points is what kills this team, limit those through TEAM rebounding and we win.
9 weeks 5 days ago	with this pathetic defense	not possible. need D to get a lead
9 weeks 5 days ago	You blow teams out with good DEFENSE and transition points	UM is not good at the first part...DEFENSE.
9 weeks 6 days ago	I just hope UM wins... I say 75-73 UM	UM won at home 79-71 in a game where Burke kept the team afloat in the first half. UM lost on the road in a must win 84-78. PSU is just not good at D so I think UM will get to 75. The question is can UM keep PSU under 75? being a homer (but much less than most on here) I'll say 75-73 UM win. UM will get out rebounded yet again and PSU will hit more 3's than us do to successful drives and kicks. UM eeks it out riding Burke all the way... a couple timely 3s from Stauskas and THjr will help.
9 weeks 6 days ago	its been a problem for a while	Its not based on one GIF. Its based on the ENTIRE Big Ten Season. UM is the 8th/9th best rebounding team and we HAVE good athletes. There is no excuse
9 weeks 6 days ago	but is been 3 yrs for THjr...	you telling me you still get mental lapses (multiple per game) after 3 years? At a certain point is comes down to desire to rebound....
9 weeks 6 days ago	The wings (2-4)	Simply do not want to rebound and play way too soft. I can tolerate some of the steal attempts or reach ins getting you out of position (at least that is aggressive). But as soon as the ball is up get between your man and the hoop (which is where you should be anyways) and put a body on him. Oladipo is what 6-4 and crashes the boards. MSU wings have done this for 10+ years. Look at Stauskas on the gif. Sheehy is bossing him around even when Stauskas is paying attention. Robinson routinely gets out muscled (more than Novak even did). Mental lapses are excusable for the frosh (probably shouldn't be this late in the season but whatever). But the lack of intensity is troubling. And the fact that THjr still can't do this makes me think this is on coaching and doesn't bode well for Robinson and Stauska's future.THjr has started for 3 years now and obviously its not getting drilled in. Just being a good shooter shouldn't guarantee you PT at the 2-4. Maybe with more depth Belein will be able to bench people who do not hustle on both ends. Would Belien bench a shooter for a wing that plays D and rebs??? I dunno.
10 weeks 1 day ago	UM is what we thought they were	A good shooting team that doesn't turn the ball over but also can't rebound or play perimeter D. McGary can't stay on the floor vs. good bigs so UM is STILL small out there most of the time. This is a recipe for DISASTER in the NCAA tourney. To boot FT shooting is suspect... UM needs a 4 that is 6'9''+, I know Belien likes 4's that can hit the three but it can't be at the expense of rebounding ability.
10 weeks 2 days ago	If I had to call it UM bows out in sweet 16	I don't care at all about the Big Tourney. I would rather UM lose a close game and be motivative then win it and crash out in the real tourney.  That being said this team should and probably will bow out in the sweet 16. The lack of rebounding and weak permiter D gives too many teams a fighting chance. UM could lose in the 1st round again, they could make a run....There will likely be no easy wins for UM at all. With the right draw UM could make a Final Four but the same could be said for literally 12-15 teams this year. What would be needed for me to say "awesome, this season is just gravy?" I'd say that means what would make me feel the team exceeded expectations. For me UM would exceed expectations by reaching the Final Four. If/when they crash out in Sweet 16 I'll say "that's about right", Anything before sweet 16 and its a disappointment.
10 weeks 4 days ago	Don't cheat. Lets bombard EAs twitter feed and email them	and let them know what;s going on. If they just look at the voting results starting last night it will be obvious there is cheating. If we can get 100 tweets and emails and keep it up for a couple days they will notice. We should also tweet a link to the A&M cheating video. I'm at work so can't do anything now. But if someone can get the ball running that would be great...
11 weeks 9 min ago	On the road you need DEFENSE	If Levert gets more mins then Stauskas I think UM wins.   That being said, if I had to make a prediction I would say Purdue wins and UM turns around and beats IU at home. That's the way the season has been going and is most likely IMO. Hope I'm wrong. I think it will take a THjr vs OSU type performance to eek out a win b/c I'm not confident the D will be there.
14 weeks 1 day ago	I agree. A little too much spinning going on here	OSU did better regionally and nationally than UM in 2013. It's ok b/c UM still got their's and more importantly did very well in the trenches; but we shouldn't spin it like UM's haul  was more than it was. UM's 2013 haul has to be the norm going forward to just keep up with OSU and elite SEC. To Magnus' point UM did have the recuriting "lead" early but that was largely due to having a larger class virtually the entire recruiting season. The avg avg I believe had UM consistently behind the OSU, elite SEC, and ND.
14 weeks 6 days ago	The SEC meme hold water bc of NATIONAL TITLES	Until the B1G starts winning the NATIONAL TITLES than we should try and be all S-E-C chanting it. Granted its harder to win it in NCAA BB but the B1G hasn't one many titles in the last 30 yrs let alone last 10. Hopefully we can string together several FF appearences as a conf and spinkle in a few titles. Nobody gives a shit what you were ranked in Feb or how many teams you had ranked in Feb. It's all for nothing if the Big Ten doesn't win the title. They have to this year and with four legit final four quality teams they have a good of a shot as anyone. Dream scenario is 5 in the elite 8 and 3 in final four. Big Ten champ. FWIW, I'd rather UM NOT play a big ten team if possible. Esp late in the tourney, Def do not want OSU. They are UM's worst matchup.
18 weeks 17 hours ago	disagree	The initial play is on G Rob. He did cut too early and basically took himself out of the play and left Burke hanging by just continuing down low and sitting under the rim after his initial cut. If he A) waits to cut at the right time he MIGHT be open for a lob but there is too much traffic in there for a bounce pass to get through. Note, all the bounce/ chest passes UM tried early in the game that led to TOs and OSU fast breaks. WAY too much threading the needle being tried early. B) Once he made the early(bad cut) he could have reserved back out to the corner to help Burke out. Its clear btwn screenshot 3-4 that G Rob is not going to get the ball via lob or back door cut so he should be flairing out to help Burke in the Corner/wing. His man is clearly ball watching at this point and if he flairs out G Rob get a corner 3. The play gets reset. Or when Burke shoots thats one less OSU guuy down low fighting for a Reb. Instead G Rob stays under the hoop brining his man into the traffic and cutting off all angles. Terrible movement/wing play plus a little bit of an ichy trigger finger by burke when things broke down(instead of resetting) put UM in a HUGE hole. The ichy trigger finger showed up once it was tied 46-46 too.
18 weeks 17 hours ago	The problem is why is Burke jacking up the shot with 25s left?	Once there was nothing after the pick why not bring it back out and try another play. UM bailed on plays and went into Improv mode or jack up a 3 mode WAY WAY to quick in this game. probably bc they were flustered. Burke could have easily reset this instead of try to get to the corner(that works against OOC scrubs not OSU/MSU/Minny/IU). Burke called his number several times again late which led to ill advised shots. UM should just RUN the offense. make sure everyone is getting touches until the best shot develops. They didn't make OSU play D long enough IMO most of this game.
19 weeks 21 hours ago	agreed	I don't see morgan strating at ILB all year. or at least I'd rather be get beat out by someone more athletic at least before we get to Nov. The OSU spread will be in full effect next year and UM will need athletes that can move. Bolden > Morgan. first offseason is usually the biggest leap right? Let's hope so. Like others mentioned Ross will be a monster. The great one's hit the ground running their true freshman year or at least show flashes. Ross did this in bunches despite being undersided. He will not be undersized next year and will not be learning the playbook from scratch. Ross and Ryan both All Big Ten. If UM can uncover an All Big Ten DL men then they will be in business.
19 weeks 23 hours ago	exactly..no pass rush	until UM gets a DL pass rush it doesn't matter how good the LBs or safetys are. UM will not get off the field on 3rd downs and continue to give up HUGE plays over the top against good teams (see all 5 losses this year). simple as that really. The only pass rusher I see on the roster is Super Mario. My hope is that he bulks up and explodes on the scene next season. Frank Clark and can be a good SDE on passing downs bringing the occasional heat but Mario has shown flashes that he could be a legit WDE pass rushing threat. If he doesn't develop UM is pretty much screwed and will have to out scheme top notch opponents with Mattison craziness. That can only take you so far and with new safeties coming in they will likely get burnt trying to execute it. DL pass rush and the OL jellying before Big Ten play are key. Everyone knows the OL RS frosh have the talent if they can put it together the O will be fine. I like that Justice Hayes passed Rawls on the depth chart and hopefully Derrick Green can come in make a splash. Also don't want to hear about experince for skill players. Bama led the nation in yds by Freshman this season. Elite teams play freshman studs all the time and then watch them go pro. UM needs to start landing these types instead of hopeing we can "build" an upper classman team of 4 stars. UM is not PSU or Iowa. They shouldn't have to wait for upperclassmen-laden teams to compete at elite levels.
19 weeks 1 day ago	we didn't beat a good team all year	w/o the lucky roundtree jump bowl at home to beat NU, UM didn't beat a ranked team all year. What makes you think they could beat anyone ranked 1-24 so easily? UM fans need to acccept this team for what it was, extremely flawed. We just need to move on and be thankful for all the roster turnover so that more talent can see the field (regardless of experience).  Wish Denard could stay forever but thats not legal! haha.

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