Z named Naismaith Defensive POY semifinalist - 1 of 10
Love this kid. Dictates the game, and gets most out of his teammates. Should win this award hands down.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:35 PM ^
Z-fense
Z is the embodiment of Michigan basketball in its current iteration.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:58 PM ^
"Z-fense"! Love it! The kids need to chant this at the game Sunday.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:37 PM ^
He should win and Matthews should be on the list with him.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:42 PM ^
If Simpson can keep Winston in check Xs 2 in the next ten days he should be a VERY serious contender. And yes, here, both Simpson and Matthews are exceptional.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:33 PM ^
Simpson doesn’t need to keep Winston in check to be a serious contender for this award. You don’t win this award because of your defense in 2 hand picked games against arguably the best player in college basketball.
February 21st, 2019 at 3:10 PM ^
Don't be that semantic hair-splitter. These two matching up is a big deal. So, conversely, if Winston takes him to the cleaners and puts 30+ in each game you think an objective voter is going to wave it all off as an aberration???
February 21st, 2019 at 3:40 PM ^
No. The outcome of those matchups could very well dictate whether Simpson wins the award or not.
Beilein4Life just likes to disagree.
February 21st, 2019 at 5:00 PM ^
You said MSU was a tougher team to beat now that Tillman is in instead of Ward, so Winston obviously isn’t that big of a factor in the game.
the outcome of these two games will dictate the award winner as much as any other game that anyone on the list plays against good players, like when Kentucky plays Tennessee
February 21st, 2019 at 6:47 PM ^
Yes, I believe this is a tougher game as currently constituted than it was before Ward got injured. Sports are not one giant statistic. If you can’t grasp how the MSU game may have become a more difficult scenario for Michigan when Ward went down I can’t help you. An injured animal can be the most dangerous. Yes, I felt more comfortable about the MSU game before Ward went down.
February 21st, 2019 at 4:26 PM ^
You're correct - high exposure games, pairing up against star players is meaningless.
And hopefully, there is some sarcasm in "arguably the best player in college basketball".
February 21st, 2019 at 6:52 PM ^
I didn’t say it was meaningless. I said they aren’t as big a deal as you make them out to be. Winston could score 30 in both games and Simpson could have 10 boards and 10 steals in both games. Simpson is on this list because of his defense so far and he hasn’t played Winston yet, so obviously the entire season is more important than two games, no matter who they are against.
and there was no sarcasm with my comment about Winston. Unless we are now saying being a wooden player of the year candidate means you aren’t in the discussion for best player in college basketball
February 22nd, 2019 at 12:56 PM ^
I mean this is the matchup you watch this Sunday. The rest of the season has been window dressing up until this game.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:16 PM ^
Had the same thought. Simpson might not even be the best defender on his own team. I'm hoping Charles can find a Bruce Bowen type niche for himself in the NBA.
February 21st, 2019 at 9:03 PM ^
And Teske
February 21st, 2019 at 1:38 PM ^
Surprised Teske and Matthews didn't make the list too
February 21st, 2019 at 1:41 PM ^
Well-deserved. Any All-B1G defensive team needs to include him, Matthews, and Teske.
What's more delightful? He's receiving this adulation without the need to slap the floor to pronounce that he's about to play SERIOUS defense.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:19 PM ^
I wish I had the time to sort through film and figure out the exact numbers, but it seems that their opponents score at least 90% of the time that MSU slaps the floor.
February 21st, 2019 at 3:42 PM ^
The best times are when the process of slapping the floor distracts them and actively contributes to the other team scoring. This took place once during the Middle Tennessee loss in the tournament to Bryn Forbes and was quite funny.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:43 PM ^
If he shuts down Cassius in both meetings, he deserves it.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:44 PM ^
Of course, Zion Williamson also gets a nomination. Imagine that...
For once - there is only one Z deserving of admiration in this category - and it ain't him.
Hoping our leader gets the recognition he deserves and wins this award.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:59 PM ^
Zion averages over 2 steals and almost 2 blocks a game and his block and steal rates are really high. He's in a select list nationally of players with those numbers. He's good off ball and in traps. And he's 4th in the country in Defensive rating (teske is 2nd fwiw).
I get that people are sick of hearing about him, but in this instance its deserved.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:14 PM ^
This seems like a long winded way of saying Teske should be on the list instead of Williamson.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:19 PM ^
Apparently, Teske is too long to say/write...so we will now be referring to him as T.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:43 PM ^
That's a 285 pound 18 year-old. That's a damn-near genetically perfect human body.
February 21st, 2019 at 3:36 PM ^
Why don't you go take a seat over there...
February 21st, 2019 at 10:23 PM ^
"Genetically perfect human body"
1. He definitely used a fuck load of PEDs in high school. Gained 100lbs in 2 years
2. I strongly disagree that 280lbs is perfect
February 21st, 2019 at 3:12 PM ^
You guys remember playing Ring King and knocking someone out of the ring? It looks like Zion is gonna fly out of Cameron indoor.
February 21st, 2019 at 3:22 PM ^
Pretty impressive. This brings back good old Pinckney HS memories. Jesse Campbell was a HS All-American from Stockbridge...he was about 6'11". A teammate of mine thought he was wide open for a nice 18' jumper from the baseline. Jesse "approached" him in a similar manner and sent the ball whizzing past Vern's ear at about 100 mph. We laughed about it later-Vern never did think it was very funny!!!
February 21st, 2019 at 2:24 PM ^
Everything people are hearing about him is deserved. Yeah, it stinks that he was only ever going to go to a school that cheats. But as a player he is jaw-droppingly good. Most people sick of hearing about him haven't watched him much.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:55 PM ^
Zion absolutely deserves to be on this list, and deserves to be one of the 4 finalists too. He is amazing at defense. People should be more upset that Tre Jones made the list.
It does seem a little strange to me that Simpson is the only Big Ten player on the list.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^
Zavier is a great defender but I might be in the minority that I think Charles Matthews is Michigan's best defender. It's a shame that he wasn't among the semifinalist for his defensive effort.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:55 PM ^
Your sentiments are not surprising at all. Matthews and Simpson are elite defenders. I think they're at or near the same level. Matthews is actually more versatile since he can defend guards and forwards. I'm very surprised Matthews wasn't included on this list.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:21 PM ^
It's worth noting that Zavier pretty much make PG's life a lot more difficult with his defense which disrupt the flow of the offense. He has a strong case to be included in this list.
But when I see Charles Matthews, he is tasked with guarding the team's best offensive player and pretty much shut them down with his defense. His athleticism, effort level and instincts are what makes him an elite defender. Like you said, his ability to defend guards and forwards are invaluable for Michigan's defense. His defense is NBA level and will be valuable for NBA teams in a switching scheme.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^
Trying to take bias out of this, does anyone know who his legitimate competition is?
February 21st, 2019 at 1:52 PM ^
Brandon Clarke, De'Andre Hunter, Tariq Owens and Grant Williams are the main competition. They're all exceptional defenders.
February 21st, 2019 at 1:52 PM ^
No Matthews? Z is tremendous but Matthews seems to lock players down when he’s asked to switch over to the hot hand.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:18 PM ^
I love Matthews game. People who call for him to be bench have their heads up their asses or are spartan trolls which is the same thing. Problem with Matthews is he is inconsistent on offense and that has cost us games. Let’s hope we sweep both games this week. GO BLUE!
February 21st, 2019 at 2:00 PM ^
It's still unbelievable to me that after the offensive juggernauts of the 2010's, this and last year's team now have DPOY contenders (if not front-runners). Nicely done, X.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:13 PM ^
Well deserved X. The Pit bull will bite the head off of the Spartans, this Sunday.
February 21st, 2019 at 2:17 PM ^
And just think he and Teske will be back next season. Michigan basketball is gonna be fun for years to come. BEAT THE GOPHERS!!
February 21st, 2019 at 2:24 PM ^
...and he might be the 3rd best D player on his team!!
February 21st, 2019 at 2:53 PM ^
Cannot wait to see him dominate Cassius Winston
February 21st, 2019 at 3:23 PM ^
This is perfect timing... Cash just scored 28 in the come from behind win against the Rutger... When Z shuts him down on National TV Sunday it will boost his chances... Given this is his only personal accolade that he desires (B1G DPOY actually is per article from the one we do not mention) I really hope he wins it... Dude is a great leader and has worked is ass off...
February 21st, 2019 at 3:31 PM ^
f*ck yeah double post!!!
February 21st, 2019 at 3:51 PM ^
#1 in our hearts!
February 21st, 2019 at 4:15 PM ^
This is deserved, though the absence of Matthews is a clear indication that this contest significantly weighs popularity and reputation.
As such, it's a credit to Z's deserved rep that he's on this list anyway. Making a national final on defense will do that.
February 21st, 2019 at 5:16 PM ^
Love X.
Hope Charles is in consideration too.
Maybe Teske too.