D. Morris
A thread specifically for the Captain. Don't know if you ever even come across this blog, but if you do, no reason to hang yor head, no reason to cover your eyes. That is the shot, and you hit it nine out of ten times. We will roll with you anytime. That was gutsy, that was brave, the entire second half. I was Wolverine B-Ball fan before I was a Wolverine F-Ball fan and that is why. Head up man, you were the reason we had the chance, keep it up man.
March 20th, 2011 at 11:12 PM ^
I explicitly said if we're taking the three. I'm sort of assuming Darius is creating it. I'm totally fine with Morris taking the shot he did, thought it was a good look.
I said it up higher but I agree with this completely and you said it better. I almost think the reason why D-Mo took that shot was because of how bad Duke's defense was on the last play. I'm sure he thought he was going to have to kick it at some time but Duke never closed in on him and so he took the open high percentage shot. I mean when you watch the replay Duke didn't "hang on" for the win like the newspapers are saying--- they were pissing their panties with their eyes closed crossing their fingers on that last play. They really couldn't have played it worse leaving 3 guys open with wide open shots each.
A 3 for the win would've been the most epic thing ever but I could never fault D-Mo for that shot. He took it coast to coast and got a wide open look from the free throw line. I'm okay with losing like that.
Anyone who tries to tell Darius Morris what he should have or shouldn't have done with a basketball against the defending national champions with 4 seconds left on the clock can, in the immortal words of Gordie Lachance, suck my fat one.
I guess, in this circumstance, this means you.
Couldn't agree more. We'd hear the same whining if he had dished it off and we had missed the three.
It also makes me wonder if any of the commenters have actually played basketball at a high level. And by high level, I'll take AAU in high school or even high school JV. Seriously. He gets the ball, careens downcourt and gets off a great shot. You really don't have time to analyze like that while it's happening; he made a good play and got a great look.
Nobodys telling him what to do you cocks. Try reading. Almost everyones saying he made a great play. And you're right, because we're not good enough to personally play against Duke means we don't understand anything we're seeing on the TV and are completely unable to comment on it at all.
I heard the announcers saying that his older brother talked him into coming to Michigan. Not sure if it's true or not, but older brother lobbied that Darius could not pass up the chance to restore glory to Michigan BB.
I think that this team will improve vastly next season and contend for the B1G title. Then we should be a top seed in next years field of 68.
This is not to take anything away from Morris, but for the record, Douglass and Novak are Michigan's co-captains. Or did someone give Morris the nickname The Captain when I wasn't paying attention?
D-Mo stay and restore it. I love the attitude you play with. Bring that swagger back next year.
I'll admit I was disappointed not to see him dish it outside for the three, but only because I felt that a senior-laden Duke squad would clearly have the advantage in OT and that our best chance was to win it at the buzzer. However, there is absolutely othing wrong with Darius taking the shot himself, especially given the odds.
99 times out of 100, baby.
The season Morris tells all kinds of big ten talent to GTFO his court. Amazing season, fellas. Work hard, bulk up, and come out swingin' in the fall. I don't remember the last time I was this excited about the next years basketball team this far away from it begining. OK, maybe two years ago, but that was different, right? I like every piece that we got coming back, and can't wait to see the extra scoring threats that we got coming in. It would be great if Horford and Evan could pack in a few more pounds to help out Morgan (if they grow an inch or two, that would be ok, too).
Your gutsy play today, the way you put the team on your back during the latter part of the season, and you putting that douchenozzle Lucas in his place has endeared you to our hearts. Here's to good times ahead.
to watch him play
Morris ran what they called during the TO. (The play was to go to the rim if they missed a FT.) On top of that, he had the smarts to pull up and not give Duke a chance at a block. We were just inches away from that shot going down, from the rebound that Zack didn't get and the pass Duke zipped into a big, just out of Morris' reach.
Remarkable considering Darius played half the gm. He's a baller!
March 20th, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^
God bless those kids, they played their asses off and never gave up. Let's not forget about these guys either:
- Smotrycz (11 first half pts)
- Novak (a whole bunch of threes to keep us in it early)
- Morgan (went into BEAST mode during that big comeback)
- Hardaway (on FIRE in the last few minutes)
- Hell, even Jon Horford with that 3-point play
I thought this team put together one of their best games of the year today -- they just came up a little short against a great Duke team. Hopefully they don't get down on themselves, and they use this as motivation in the offseason -- we're not that far away right now...
March 20th, 2011 at 10:28 PM ^
That's what this team has needed and that's what D-Mo is for this team. He is the heart and soul of the team pure and simple. It's been a while since we've had a guy like that and here's hoping that he stays to leave as one of the best to wear the uniform!
March 20th, 2011 at 10:31 PM ^
That miss right there will drive him during the offseason to bring him to new heights that michigan basketball has not seen in years. I expect him to work extremely hard during the offseason just like he did this past year and he will come back next season with a leap in skill similar to this season. I also think that his motivation to get better will drive players like Tim Hardaway jr and Jordan Morgan to also work their asses off in the offseason. Watch out because next year is going to be insane!
March 20th, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^
umhoops.com has a video of his reaction to the Duke loss
Watch out next year fokes
March 20th, 2011 at 10:53 PM ^
Just in case anyone was wondering, Rothstein reports that Morris was asked after game whether he was returning for next season:
“Yep,” Morris said when he was asked if he was definitely returning next season.This echoes what Morris said a week ago, when he said “yeah, I’m here man. I’m not going anywhere.”
Also worth noting:
Morris had one of the better seasons for a point guard in Michigan history, averaging 15 points, 6.7 assists and 4 rebounds a game.His 235 assists are the most in a single season for a Michigan player, passing Gary Grant, who had 234 in 1987-88, by one assist.
With his six assists against Duke, he actually passed Rumeal Robinson (233 in 1988-89) as well. Morris's 6.7 assist average for the season is second only to the 6.9 average for Grant in 87-88 (when he played in one fewer game than Morris did this year--34 vs. 35).
Another season like this one, and Morris will be considered one of Michigan's best point guards of all time.
March 20th, 2011 at 11:14 PM ^
That's super crazy because of the pace we played at in the late 80s compared to now.
March 21st, 2011 at 12:48 AM ^
I wonder how the assists per possession compare?
March 20th, 2011 at 11:15 PM ^
hopefully that stays true. wont hold it against him if it doesnt, though. hopefully a nba lockout talk heats up and the decision becomes alot simpler for him.
the play of the game, to me, was the play after nolan smith broke hardaways ankles. morris took the ball down the court, posted smith up, and took him to school. awesome play, and way to have his backcourt mate's back.\
March 21st, 2011 at 12:58 AM ^
aye?
The reason we fell behind was bc he was sitting (thanks refs).
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<br>The reason we came back was because he refused to let's the team go out without a serious fight.
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<br>He can take any shot he wants. I'm not going to second guess him for a second. The only time he frustrated me was when he missed the front end of the 1-1 against Wisco leaving the door open for Gasser. But we moved on, healed, and grew from that so I can live with it.
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<br>"Get the FUCK off my court!"
Hardaway had a clean run to the rim on that last play, and while it's hindsight to wish that Darius tossed a lob, he could have had an easy tip in if the ball just bounced off the rim a little differently.
We have had such incredibly bad luck in all of our games against great teams this season. Just a regression to the mean in terms of luck would make us a 22-win team next year. Add in development of young players and who knows...
Forget a lob, I think he could have had an angle to make that pass to Hardaway. That being said, in close quarters, for Hardaway to make a clean catch and go up may have been difficult, but I'm sure he gets body contact.
For the people saying that Duke defended the last play poorly, I thought their big guy Kelly did a good job of establishing his position in a way that Morris was going to get called for a charge if he went any closer to the basket. Morris was smart enough to realize that and got off a great look. The difference between missing back rim and swishing a shot is so small, Morris knows that and thats why you could see him slapping the ground with his head in his jersey right afterward.
We are in such good shape going forward in late game situations. We have Morris, a guy who can create his own shot, get to the bucket, and distribute. We have Hardaway, a cold blooded scorer/jump shooter who can do it in the clutch. We've got Novak, Smotrycz and Stu (hopefully he will make a 3 sometime) who we can kick the ball to. We've got Morgan who has a good nose for the basket and can finish inside. This is a really complete team that was battle tested this year, brings back the same team next year, and the talent, depth, and experience factors only improve us. We are in a good situation people.
March 21st, 2011 at 10:01 AM ^
This team is amazing... I am so excited for M basketball in the next few years.
Ain't no shame in this loss, none at all.
GO BLUE
March 21st, 2011 at 12:13 PM ^
I expect to see this group doing well over the next few years.........glad to see that MI basketball is back.
He was right to take the shot, and with just a little bit of luck even a miss would have bounced to him giving him a chance for a tip-in and possibly even being fouled while tipping it in. (Might as well wish for the moon.) We were all proud to be rooting for our team yesterday and all season. What heart!