Michigan 84, North Carolina 67
Early on, this looked like North Carolina’s type of game. The Tar Heels scored on their first three possessions, set the pace at their preferred tempo, and veteran big man Luke Maye had a couple of buckets. Michigan had to sub out Ignas Brazdeikis after an early foul, and following a few careless turnovers and a few more scores by UNC, the Wolverines trailed 21-11 eight minutes into the contest. At that point, North Carolina was 9-13 shooting from the field and controlled the game.
From there, Michigan went on to outscore the Tar Heels by 27 and blew out their seventh opponent in seven games. UM quickly erased the deficit: it started with an awkward sequence that ended with a Zavier Simpson steal and layup, Iggy scored three the old-fashioned way and hit a spot-up three on consecutive possessions, and Eli Brooks made another three to take the lead. The game began to get more frenetic late in the first half, but it was to Michigan’s advantage as they went on an extended 17-2 run.
North Carolina inadvertently slowed the game down with some fouls and regained the lead; the Wolverines got just one point out of three one-and-one situations (it was a bad night at the line for Michigan, who shot just 11-23). Matthews and Jordan Poole each hit threes on the last possessions of the half though, and UM took a 39-35 lead into the break. Michigan had adjusted to North Carolina’s style, and the defense locked in for the rest of the game - but it was the Wolverine offense that keyed the rout in the second half.
[Campredon]
Maye hit the first basket out of halftime on a post hook over Iggy, but Iggy quickly returned the favor by burning him on a backdoor cut from the wing. Jordan Poole hit a tough step-back three late in the shot clock; he set up Iggy for another three; and Simpson lobbed an alley-oop to Jon Teske to prompt a timeout from Roy Williams less than three minutes into the half. At the under-16 timeout, Williams subbed in his entire bench and by the time the starters returned, the deficit was at 18 and the game was basically over.
After UNC reserve guard Leaky Black hit a three to briefly stem the bleeding, he and Matthews started jawing and prompted an intervention from the refs; on the next two possessions, Matthews skied for a put-back dunk and was fouled for a three-point play, and then he blocked a shot from Black into the student section. That sequence was basically the half in microcosm, as the Wolverines dominated at both ends for much of the second stanza.
North Carolina tried to mount a late rally. Cameron Johnson, who entered the game as their leading scorer, was held scoreless (mostly due to the efforts of Matthews) until he made a layup over Iggy and was fouled, missed the free throw and wound up hitting a three on that same possession; Kenny Williams knocked down consecutive threes; a 22-point lead was trimmed in half. After the two teams traded empty possessions, Matthews knocked down a big three to slam the door. On Michigan’s last possession of the game, Poole hit a deep step-back three to beat the shot clock - a fitting conclusion to an extremely impressive performance.
[Campredon]
Iggy and Matthews were major catalysts for Michigan, combining for 45 points on just 32 shooting possessions, and they were consistently excellent on both ends throughout the game. Poole scored 15 of his 18 points (and hit four threes) after halftime to provide a huge boost. Jon Teske had just 6 points and 5 rebounds in his season-high 34 minutes, but stepped up with Livers limited by foul trouble. He blocked five shots, was a deterrent around the rim, and made several impressive plays, including corralling freshman phenom Nassir Little (who had a rough night) on a switch and forcing a bad miss.
The Wolverines shot 63% on twos, hit 11 threes, and still finished with a healthy 1.20 points per possession despite the bad free throw shooting. On the other end of the floor, they held the potent Tar Heel offense to under a point per possession, were solid on the defensive glass for most of the game, allowed relatively few transition baskets, and - as usual - contested almost every shot well. Maye and point guard Coby White were inefficient; Johnson and Little had some of the worst games they’ll have all season.
Much like they did in the Villanova game, Michigan staked a compelling claim as one of the best teams in the country with this emphatic win in a marquee game. The Wolverine defense passed a tough test against one of the best offenses they’ll face - and they’ll get another quality offense on Saturday as Carsen Edwards and Purdue come to town on Saturday. Michigan seems poised for a special season, and if the offense clicks like it did tonight, this team has an unbelievably high ceiling. It’s gonna be a fun year.
[Campredon]
[Box score after the JUMP]
November 29th, 2018 at 11:48 AM ^
And they play HARD.
This is extremely important for this team. They play with a lot of attitude right now and that is powered by Matthews. I don't know if Michigan has had a better in-your-head trash talker since Jalen Rose.
The last few years, Michigan has been sluggish early in the season and then when they started to play well they didn't quite believe in themselves. They would look flat in big, close games and like they didn't necessarily care if they won or lost. Two or three Novembers ago against Virginia Tech or South Carolina, no one would've dove on that ball on the floor at the end of the half. Now, Teske went down hard for it and got it out to Simpson who pushed it up the floor.
If they play like this all year they will be extremely hard to beat.
November 29th, 2018 at 6:41 PM ^
Free throws - someone needs to update Beilein on the current cognitive research for techniques like interleaving, spaced practice, etc. and ditch the 100 free throws in a row practice that isn't nearly as helpful. Gotta make the practicing more challenging and use science to your advantage since most of our free throw woes are mental.
November 29th, 2018 at 10:57 PM ^
John Beilein deserves a lot of credit especially for bringing in successful defensive minded coaches - first Billy Donlon and then Luke Yaklich. The defensive strategies and intensity have transformed this Team. I am hoping Jim Harbaugh will do something similar except on the offensive side of the ball.
November 29th, 2018 at 11:57 AM ^
Defensively, he was known for a long time - way past reality, probably - as a "gimmicky, 1-3-1" coach. As late as 2013 we'd hear announcers say stuff like "It's tough to adjust to Beilein's 1-3-1 zone" etc. Meanwhile, he's playing MTM and matchup like 100% of everyone else.
November 29th, 2018 at 7:57 AM ^
Basketball Revenge Tour continues:
Beat Villanova
Beat UNC
We need LSU on the schedule to settle the score with them from last year as well.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:49 AM ^
Purdue is next ...
Our only D at home last season.
November 29th, 2018 at 10:20 AM ^
...thanks to bad officiating.
November 29th, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
Well we know Lurch won't be there to fuck things up. Just his skinnier, taller, Lewerke hairstyle looking brother from another mother.
November 29th, 2018 at 7:59 AM ^
Oh my God, I need this team. I don't even remember the last time we've had a team that is playing together this well this early. I'm tempering my excitement FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, but dear lord, these guys look great and have fun.
"Roy Williams said afterward that he was as frustrated as he has ever been in his 31 years as a head coach."
JB, I think I love you.
Go Blue.
November 29th, 2018 at 8:47 AM ^
Yeah, I agree. Williams can't even muster more than a subtle, backhanded compliment for a team/coach that ran his team off the floor. Williams fulfilled my low expectations of how he'd handle the loss.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:53 AM ^
Chris, Jalen, Juwan, Jimmy, and Ray say, "hi."
November 29th, 2018 at 10:11 AM ^
2012-2013. Started 16-0 and 20-1. Although they didn't beat the shit out of 2 top 10 teams early in the season.
November 29th, 2018 at 8:08 AM ^
IMO, the difference between this team and other early season Michigan teams is Iggy. that kid is special. when was the last time we had a player who could truly do anything he wanted on the floor and was not afraid to do it, and elevated his teammates so much? Burke maybe?
November 29th, 2018 at 8:13 AM ^
Ugh, Wagner? You know, last year?
I mean, Wagner somehow not quite as refined, but he brought unmatched energy to this team.
November 29th, 2018 at 12:06 PM ^
Iggy drives to the basket better than Mo.
Mo was a better 3-shooter, but he can't match Iggy's body control at the rim .
November 29th, 2018 at 8:45 AM ^
Matthews is the same way, this year. That guy - er, dude - is doing whatever he wants, and doing it well. Matthews and Iggy are opening up everything else, and the complimentary players (Simpson, Teske, Livers, Poole) are excelling around that. It's a fun thing to behold!
November 29th, 2018 at 9:09 AM ^
He’s had a great start. Let’s not get too crazy. He’s playing teams that don’t have much film on him, and they have a lot of other things to worry about. I don’t know UNC’s players well enough but I would imagine their best defender got Matthews.
November 29th, 2018 at 8:28 AM ^
Don't overlook Purdue on Saturday and we're looking a 13-0 start in the face. Will be interesting to see where we're ranked next.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:34 AM ^
If UM beats Purdue they could be 17-0 before they face their next ranked opponent (Wisconsin 1/19/19). Over the next 10 games the only teams that would seem to represent any kind of challenge for UM are Purdue and Northwestern (x2) and Northwestern really hasn't played anyone yet.
Unfortunately the last 14 games in the schedule are going to be tougher with 8 of them against currently ranked teams (3 teams x2 + 2 one offs).
This Bball season is shaping up to be really fun.
What I really want to know is what Black said to Simpson that got Matthews all up in his grill.
November 29th, 2018 at 8:30 AM ^
We work on our free throw shooting and this team can be scary good! That was a nice win to help get over the horror over the weekend. Go blue!
November 29th, 2018 at 9:46 AM ^
Such a glaringly irritating Achilles' heel, 47.8% from the line is really bad. I wish they could get that to a more consistent 70% like they did against Chattanooga. Last night was their worst FT shooting since the first game of the year when they only hit 44.8% from the line. Their best so far was their second game against Holy Cross, they shot an amazing 81% form the line.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:52 AM ^
B. said multiple time that they work their butt off at practice for FT.
(I believe, it is how American would described it - Some much for the bottom in your country).
Any way - Maybe be we should try black magic? :p
November 29th, 2018 at 8:33 AM ^
We played such a good game it made listening to dickie V almost tolerable.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:25 AM ^
I was pretty devastated when I found out Dickie V was calling our game. The amount of orgasms he has over North Carolina and Duke year after year is astounding.
And screw him for bringing up the Ohio State football game 3 separate times. And screw him for getting the jollies of Notre Dame football at the end of the game.
I'm sooooooo happy about the result but Dickie V needs to stay at the Dean Center and Cameron Indoor where his maximum excitement can flourish with everyone else.
November 29th, 2018 at 10:17 AM ^
I'm sorry but nothing makes that stale routine enjoyable.
November 29th, 2018 at 10:37 AM ^
tolerable, not enjoyable
November 29th, 2018 at 8:33 AM ^
I think I'm going to like this basketball season.
November 29th, 2018 at 8:43 AM ^
I have been going to Crisler since Gary Grant days, and it's been a long time since I heard it that loud, perhaps MSU in 2013. I sat in some great seats and had a blast!!!! Thank you Michigan basketball!!! You are the No1 sport to me at Michigan!!!!!
November 29th, 2018 at 10:17 AM ^
No doubt. While the football team continues to lose the big ones and we live in BPONE, where only cautious optimism resides, the basketball team is just fun to watch. They play hard, the coach innovates offense and has learned from the past that you need defense too to succeed. It’s so much more enjoyable to watch than the stress filled football season.
November 29th, 2018 at 11:14 AM ^
Not sure if this was clear on the telecast, but on the Charles Matthews put-back dunk during the second half run, the crowd was so loud that most folks--even some of the players on the court--couldn't hear the whistle to know that he had been fouled, too. Carolina just inbounded the ball and headed up the court to get into their offensive set. The ref had to run over to the scorer's table and tell them at point blank range to stop the game for the foul he had called because no one could hear anything.
November 29th, 2018 at 8:51 AM ^
Oh F Me, I forgot about the game last night, lost track of the day.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:00 AM ^
One was called a foul but teske knocked away four balls. Not sure how the stats work but he was the catalyst for three steals including the one before half. He knocked it away and then got on the floor after it. Also only gets credit for two assists when his passing created more than two buckets. I’d like to see him get more opportunities to pass out of the post. It’s not really a Beilein thing to feed the post... so we’ll see.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:03 AM ^
There were two or three possession where he had a clear mismatch on the post and never got the ball. We didn't need any help last night, but in conference play hopefully we capitalize on those opportunities.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:02 AM ^
The thing that struck me was how effortless the defense looked. Not that they weren't moving hard, but when you are that locked in it's like a python slowly squeezing the life out of something. Just...you can't get anything easy, so every possession feels like it's worth 2 or 3. Fantastic start to the season.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:38 AM ^
I still can't stop smiling. I despise North Carolina as much as I despise Duke.
In the back of my head, I kept thinking this was going to be like the OT loss to Kansas at Crisler a few years back or the game against #1 Arizona when Mitch Mcgary was called for a phantom foul allowing the Wildcats to shoot the game winning free throws with 1 second left. Fight back enough to just barely lose and get an A for effort. This was NOT how I expected this game to turn out.
That 17-2 run after North Carolina was draining every shot they took was absolutely huge. I'm going to be watching the highlights of this one endlessly.
November 29th, 2018 at 9:41 AM ^
Despite this impressive victory, we are going to have to start making free throws. This will bite us some time during the season.
November 29th, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
I feel like I've heard this before somewhere...
November 29th, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
Coby White was inefficient shooting 6 for 10?
November 29th, 2018 at 10:30 AM ^
As an NC State alum, I'm very much enjoying the taste of these Tar Heel tears. GO BLUE!
November 29th, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
They're just so DEEP.. There will be an inevitable hiccup or two during the conference season because it's college and somebody will get sick or injured and travel/weather issues will somehow disrupt their rhythm, but when you can play defense like they can, you will be in every game.
This has all the makings of a fantastic spring.
November 29th, 2018 at 11:18 AM ^
All of the good stuff is obvious. Great game. Absolute blast to watch. Much needed after what happened Saturday.
…...
We're gonna need to find more than 7 guys or these dudes are going to die. I understand not playing the freshmen against UNC. And maybe not Purdue. But before we get into the meat of the Big Ten schedule, at least one of these other freshmen have to get up to speed and start chipping in. I'm sure they will. I was just astonished by the short rotation. That's not sustainable.
November 29th, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
If this game taught me anything, it's that Dick Vitale should retire.
November 29th, 2018 at 11:52 AM ^
To quote legendary UNC basketball player Michael Jordan, "The ceiling is the roof," for this Michigan team.
November 29th, 2018 at 12:12 PM ^
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25379665/college-basketball-power-rankings
Can someone explain why ESPN writes about Kansas (5-0, d. (10) MSU, (5) Tenn) "The Jayhawks have looked like a No. 1 team, and they have the résumé of a No. 1 team" and Michigan (7-0, d. (11) Villanova, (7) UNC) doesn't? Further, ESPN goes on to say that "a top tier has emerged in some order: Kansas, Gonzaga, and Duke" and that Michigan is in a "best of the rest" with Nevada, Virginia, etc.
What is it that makes Kansas' resume any better than Michigan's? Why are they CLEARLY the number 1 team? I can get behind Gonzaga being number 1 after they knocked off a very talented Duke, but Kansas hasn't done anything more than Michigan.
November 29th, 2018 at 12:57 PM ^
Holy shit. I just saw that Rutgers beat Miami.
November 29th, 2018 at 12:59 PM ^
what has been occurring in Men’s hoops is what we have been dreaming about for the football squad.
I love watching these guys play. It looks like they have fun on offense and flip a switch to angry on D. I have not seen that before. The players look comfortable.
Go Blue!
November 30th, 2018 at 2:22 PM ^
Ohio State alum here. Just got to say I enjoyed this game and was so glad to see the Heels get kicked. Thank you!
November 30th, 2018 at 10:36 PM ^
I keep hearing all this nonsense about 'Iggy'. Please...the guy isn't the second coming of Lamar Ball. He's a FRESHMAN!!!!. !. So...he'll need at least 3 more years here before he even thinks about the draft
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