How good is this hoops team?
During last night's telecast they put up a graphic that said this is UofM's best record since the 93-94 season. I didn't see an asterisk so I assume that includes the forfeited years.
This team is good, but when I watch them play it's SO frustrating at times. They just don't FEEL better than some of those mid/late 90s teams (the ones with Travis Conlan, Maurice Taylor, Tractor Taylor, etc). I think maybe we eek our more defensive games this year, compared to those old teams that would run up some good offensive numbers (the Youtube video where we beat IU by about 40 points is one of my favorites).
Where would you rank this year's team based on what we've seen so far? Are they really the best thing since the end of the Fab Five era?
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:12 PM ^
that's why beilein has to be less conservative when it comes to pulling guys with fouls come tourny time. it's the tourny, he's got to roll the dice and hope the guys don't foul out. it's kind of like starting a pitcher on 3 days rest in the playoffs.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^
If Horford had been healthy this year, I think it would have made a huge impact. Our lack of front court depth is our biggest issue and may bite us down the road.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^
And I think we saw pretty conclusively last night that Horford is done for the year. No offense to McLimans, but there's no way he gets all those minutes in the first half if you have a healthy Horford and aren't worried about preserving his redshirt.
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^
But I think Horford's done for sure-
"Now, it's coming down to my decision because I want what's best for Jon Horford, and having him play four or five games right now to help us win is not what's best for him; he should be entitled to another full season."
- John Beilein
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120220/SPORTS0201/202200403/1004/s…
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:40 PM ^
while i think we all agree w/ beilein re: horford's redshirt, it isn't clear that horford sees it that way.
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:31 PM ^
and MAYBE winning a (share of) a championship over a full whole year of play? That would certainly make him unique among players.
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^
But I'd say it's now a very good team. It was good earlier in the season, and has moved up to very good. Much like teams the last couple of years have gone from kinda "meh" midseason to good by the end. They take some time to develop and deal with the changes, but the best thing about Beilein is he's a last February/March coach. The team gets better when it matters most. That will serve us well no matter the talent level of the team.
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^
I was going to correct the use of "eek" to "eke" but honestly either usage feels correct in this case.
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:27 PM ^
This team is good. I wish we still had Darius Morris though. It would be really really fun to watch him and Burke in the same back-court.
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:30 PM ^
In some ways yes, in some ways no. Morris wasn't a good defender and he dominated the ball so much that I'm not sure we would have seen what we have from Burke (at least this fast or this often) had Morris stayed. Defenders didn't have to respect Morris' quicks, his dribble drives into the lane were more like slow motion probes to get the defense to react. If Morris had a consistent mid-range to 3P game it might have been different but I think in some ways his game would have relegated Trey to the perimeter too often. And I'm not sure Michigan's defense would be as good as its been.
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:50 PM ^
Anyone else notice EuroSmot taking the rock coast to coast. He is a fun kid to watch, he is going to be dynamite by time he's a senior. Smot gonna rebound, be over half court in 2 dribbles, and throw a no look bounce to a streaking Jordan Morgan for a roof raising slam.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:04 PM ^
dribble off his foot...
my smot wish is that he gets his confidence back on that 3 pt shot. this team can beat anybody if either he or thj hit a decent % of 3s.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:30 PM ^