2016-17 furman

One of the B1G's underrated stars delivers the dagger against Furman to wrap up @umichbball's 10-3 non-con slate. https://t.co/qz3GHieskv

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 23, 2016

Derrick Walton's game-sealing three came after Michigan had missed their previous 12 attempts from beyond the arc. Michigan's narrow win over Furman was a 60-possession slog that was hard to watch outside of the two highlights above.

Moe Wagner (18 points on 16 FGA, five offensive boards) and Zak Irvin (16 points on 14 FGA, seven assists) were just effective enough on offense for this game to remain tight throughout even though the Wolverines couldn't buy a long-range jumper. It'd be easy to pin a game this ugly on the dead winter-break atmosphere and players looking ahead to the holidays; this was more Michigan missing a bunch of open looks in a painfully slow-paced game.

The Wolverines now get a significant break before their Big Ten season tips off at Iowa on January 1st. After tonight's game, we could all use some time off from basketball.

THE ESSENTIALS

Right: Even by plush-mascot-costume standards, that is not a very intimidiating knight. At the very least, someone should get this guy a shield.

THE US

There's not too much to update from Michigan's end after consecutive blowouts of teams ranked in the 300s on KenPom. John Beilein clarified after the Maryland Eastern Shore game that Duncan Robinson started over Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman due to a clerical error, one I assume he'd have pushed harder to correct against a viable opponent. (MAAR checked in within 90 seconds.)

This is Michigan's final non-conference game before a lengthier-than-usual holiday break; after tonight, the Wolverines don't play again until traveling to Iowa on New Year's Day. While Michigan is still a 15-point favorite, Furman is a significant step up in competition from the last two games.

THE LINEUP CARD

Projected starters are in bold. Hover over headers for stat explanations. The "Should I Be Mad If He Hits A Three" methodology: we're mad if a guy who's not good at shooting somehow hits one. Yes, you're still allowed to be unhappy if a proven shooter is left open. It's a free country.

Pos.	#	Name	Yr.	Ht./Wt.	%Min	%Poss	ORtg	SIBMIHHAT
G	1	John Davis III	Jr.	5'11, 165	71	16	99	No
Shooting 40% from three. Despite size, not a point guard: 27 assists to 18 turnovers.
G	12	Devin Sibley	Jr.	6'2, 175	83	26	102	Not At All
Efficient scorer with high volume, 49% on twos, 48% on threes.
G	35	Daniel Fowler	Jr.	6'4, 195	80	22	122	No
Excellent passer—58 assists, 17 turnovers—and effective inside-outside scorer.
F	3	Geoff Beans	Jr.	6'7, 210	54	17	105	No
Just A Shooter™ is 28/65 on threes, 8/15 on twos. Also: named Geoff Beans.
F	21	Kris Acox	Sr.	6'6, 215	68	23	104	Very
Shoots 53% from field on all two-point attempts, solid rebounder, not a rim protector.
F	32	Matt Rafferty	So.	6'8, 215	42	19	87	Yes
Good shot-blocker and rebounder, offense plagued by turnovers this year.
G	5	Andrew Brown	So.	6'4, 190	40	15	103	No
The rare turnover-prone Just A Shooter™. 17/35 on threes, 12 turnovers.
G	23	Jordan Lyons	Fr.	5'11, 170	36	15	107	No
Another Just A Shooter™. 11/31 on threes.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the preview.]