Michigan 84 Ball State 65
Now that’s more like it. As an empty Big House mourned its canceled weekend next door, a lightly populated Crisler Center was business as usual, churning out a comfortable victory over a MAC opponent that had no answer for a forest of arms.
Just about everybody got a hand in, or at least the opportunity. Franz Wagner led Michigan out to an early seven-point lead, frustrating Ball State’s drive-obsessed offense and converting on the other end. Before the first commercial break the German sophomore had seven points on three field goal attempts, an assist, two forced turnovers, and had drawn four fouls from an officiating crew with some admittedly fruit-flavored whistles.
Austin Davis again started over Hunter Dickinson and was still on the floor after the first timeout, but picked up one of those light calls out of the break. Michigan’s star freshman, in turn, picked up right where he left off against Oakland, shutting off all routes to the basket on defense, and living above theirs. On his first offensive possession Dickinson took an entry pass in the high post, drew three Cardinals, and shook all of them with a slick lefty move. As Ball State settled in for a night of dribble jumpers, Michigan jumped out to a 20-point lead.
[More and Box score after The Jump]
No power in the verse. [Campredon]
Ball State finally got their run when Dickinson came out again, outscoring Michigan 19-6 in the latter part of the frame, 16-6 when the freshman big man wasn’t on the court. The Cardinals went with a lineup of shooters, moved the ball quickly around the perimeter, and got Austin Davis to commit a few fouls on the drives that space created. Johns came in for Davis, but the game only turned hectic with him at the five.
Michigan went into the half with their lead dwindled to seven, and it could have been worse if Isaiah Livers pullup jumpers weren’t all going in—he would finish with 21 points, and 6/8 from midrange. Dickinson returned for the last minute and a half, but contributed to the slump by anticipating a cutter who wasn’t there, and fumbling an oop set up for him by Chaundee Brown on Michigan’s final possession. He did however block Ball State’s own late attempt before the horn.
More consequently, Wagner picked up two quick whistles as well, leading to some extended time for Zeb Jackson. The freshman looked freshman-y but enticing, as he used his athleticism to drive through a double early. Later Zeb caught Ishmael El-Amin napping for a drive-by, got fouled, and scored his first career point on the free throw.
Michigan experimented with various lineups and various positions for Johns. [Campredon]
Michigan came out of the half with their starting lineup, but now matched against Ball State’s non-shooting center, Davis could drop into the paint. He wasn't Dickinsonian, but he held up, contributing a block and a slick post score. Except for said Big Country bucket, Michigan began using penetration by Brooks and Smith to set up their shooters, including one gorgeous spiral by Brooks that drew two defenders to set up a Davis dunk. By the next break Michigan was back to a 12-point lead with the ball, and enough competitiveness had gone out of the game for Juwan Howard to mosey over for a chat with Khalid El-Amin's kid. I don’t know what was said because Bardo was on the commentary and I had muted it four minutes into his thoughts about hair.
Too many arms! [Campredon]
Dickinson returned from that break with Brown in tow, and Brown began to steal the show. He forced a turnover out of the break, and was rewarded with a quick-kick three-pointer he nailed. He had another great defensive play thereafter, but the block/charge gods were not merciful. Ditto on his subsequent drive, and Chaundee was quickly up to three fouls. Howard, in a subtle commentary, kept Brown on the court.
Livers brought his old man game tonight. [Campredon]
With Dickinson, Brown, and Wagner and Livers all out there together, the forest of arms was too much. Ball State went on an extended dry spell, clanging long-distance threes or bad-idea twos in an effort to keep the ball out of Hunter Dickinson’s mitt radius.
As we hit Kenpom time I turned the sound back on in time to catch Bardo talking about Hunter Dickinson as a one-and done. He’s probably not—something, something NBA athleticism—but having your freshman center exiting the court with that kind of talk and a double-double in his third game is a nice way to end a rough Wednesday.
Michigan next faces a young UCF team on Sunday, and will probably be more fun than football would’ve.
December 2nd, 2020 at 10:16 PM ^
The defense on El-Amin was terrific, shut an excellent shooter down from the arc.
December 2nd, 2020 at 11:03 PM ^
Khalid El-Amin's kid--damn, I feel old.
December 2nd, 2020 at 11:12 PM ^
Yeah i did that to me too.
December 3rd, 2020 at 12:35 PM ^
Khalid El-Amin's kid vs Juwan Howard's kid. We are old indeed.
December 2nd, 2020 at 10:23 PM ^
Jace Howard with the 3 trillion!
December 2nd, 2020 at 10:42 PM ^
Franz looks like he could cause serious trouble for teams this year. His size and open court ability are fun to watch. The guy gets to the rack in a few long strides.
Livers looked like a go to guy when you need a bucket. His shot looks better than ever. Strong.
Points can come from anywhere this year. This team is fun to watch.
The MSU series is going to be a fistfight this year.
December 2nd, 2020 at 10:42 PM ^
I wasn't much good as a ballplayer, my enthusiasm far outrunning my skill. But I could do some good on a court. Reverse layup, set up a screen of one defender running into another, turn-around jumper, lotsa hustle.
So some games I watch and catch the internet disease: "Hey," I say to me, "I wore a jock strap. I could at least do better than that."
It's much more fun watching games like this, where it's crystal clear I couldn't do any of the things any of Michigan's regular rotation can do.
December 3rd, 2020 at 1:25 PM ^
You wore a cup playing basketball?
December 3rd, 2020 at 2:55 PM ^
You know they only sell them in Medium, Large, and Extra Large? Opposite of girl jeans.
December 2nd, 2020 at 10:44 PM ^
Aww man I liked Bardo tonight! He didn't pull any punches about Walton's ball hogging which was fun, as was his mid-range nostalgia.
Anyways, the block/charge thing is becoming an issue. One of Chaundee's was legit but Michigan has been on the wrong end of bad block/charge calls quite a few times already this season. Not really sure what you can do about that except work the refs.
December 2nd, 2020 at 11:01 PM ^
Didn’t Bardo say the Ball St ball hog “hasn’t passed gas” let alone the ball the whole game?! Maybe I’m just losing my shit but could’ve sworn he said that.
December 2nd, 2020 at 11:10 PM ^
He definitely said that about KJ Walton in the first half...one of the best lines I’ve heard describing a ball-hog on a broadcast.
December 2nd, 2020 at 11:18 PM ^
"Walton hasn't even passed gas".....that was gold!!
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:56 AM ^
that was classic.....
December 3rd, 2020 at 12:38 PM ^
The charge on Johns in the first half was really bad. It does seem to be getting worse.
December 2nd, 2020 at 10:59 PM ^
Hunter looks like Victor Creed/Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber version)
December 4th, 2020 at 12:59 PM ^
But TALL (Fred Jackson, hoops version)
December 2nd, 2020 at 11:13 PM ^
Since they mentioned him tonight (I think they even said the BSU coach played with him), Chaundee Brown reminds me a lot of Michael Finley. Especially when he was lighting it up against BGSU.
December 3rd, 2020 at 12:05 AM ^
I like what Chaundee brings to the team and am really grateful he can play this year, but his game is nothing like Michael Finley.
Finley was the most athletic player any night he stepped on the court. He had endless energy. His ability to drive, leap and hang is what really separated him because he could always get his shot off. It also helped him be a tenacious defender.
December 3rd, 2020 at 8:58 AM ^
Dude! It's been killing me trying to think of who he reminds me of, knowing that there was someone that he was very akin to - and that's it! Definitely Michael Finley that I was trying to think of.
December 3rd, 2020 at 9:10 AM ^
The Three Amigos from Proviso East HS. One of the best home grown neighborhood teams ever.
Michael Finley UofW 21st pick
Sherrell Ford UIC 26th pick
Donnis Boyce UofC 42nd pick
Ford was Illinois Mr Basketball over Finley. Imagine that.
December 3rd, 2020 at 12:40 PM ^
I believe Proviso East played against and beat the Twin 7-footers from King (Rashard Griffith & Thomas Hamilton), who Finley ended up playing with one of them at Wisconsin. I think Chris Collins (Duke) and Kiwane Garris (Illinois) were also in that time frame. What an amazing era of Chicago area basketball.
December 3rd, 2020 at 1:36 PM ^
I was a young kid living downtown right out of school. Chicago HS basketball was fun to follow in that era. The Tribune and local television gave it a ton of coverage.
December 3rd, 2020 at 9:23 AM ^
He reminds me of Richard Rellford. Damn I'm old.
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:13 AM ^
Nah, Butch Wade
December 3rd, 2020 at 1:39 PM ^
They were like twins.
December 3rd, 2020 at 12:39 PM ^
He does look a lot like him. And when he's as hot as he was against BGSU...yes. That'll be his most efficient game of the season though.
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:45 AM ^
an officiating crew with some admittedly fruit-flavored whistles.
Lol I've never heard it described like that before.
December 3rd, 2020 at 7:18 AM ^
As opposed to poop-flavored whistle.
Credit for that goes to one of my best friends in college, Ben Umanov, whose ticket group created a bunch of their own cheers.
December 3rd, 2020 at 5:28 AM ^
I wouldn't be mad if Hunter ended up coming off the bench the whole year. Could be the primary scorer and feast on back-up bigs while working his way into the game. and then play starter's minutes
December 3rd, 2020 at 1:23 PM ^
I've heard it said that it matters more who is in at the end of the game as opposed to starting, i.e. who does the coach trust at crunch time.
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:16 PM ^
Exactly, and it allows Wagner and Livers to set the tone early, gives Hunter the freedom to attack as soon as he comes in AND allows him to see what the other team is doing before he has to face it
December 3rd, 2020 at 3:19 PM ^
I feel like refs, especially shitty B1G ones, like to call early fouls to "set the tone" for the game. Lot of ticky tack light fouls in the first few minutes. Seems to constantly hit our bigs. Maybe you're onto something here. Let Davis muck it up, maybe eat the brunt of some crap early whistles then Dickinson comes in and takes over.
December 3rd, 2020 at 7:38 AM ^
Quiet Milestone....
on Sam Webb’s 247 hoops podcast Tim McCormick noted that Hunter had passed Austin Davis’ career assist number during the Oakland game.
December 3rd, 2020 at 9:26 AM ^
I mean that’s not really surprising to me at all. Davis almost exclusively scores on assisted buckets or on putbacks
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
BIG COUNTRY
December 3rd, 2020 at 8:05 AM ^
Livers, Wagner, Brown, Smith, Brooks, Dickinson, Davis and Johns are the top eight who will get the majority of playing time-that is a very solid group...8 is a very nice number. It appears as though Williams and Jackson are the next two being given a shot at breaking into the rotation. Dickinson is the only one from the top group who is likely to return next year.
December 3rd, 2020 at 8:38 AM ^
Johns is a junior. I doubt he’s going pro and even though we have a lot of talent coming in next year I think he’d have a big role on next years team.
December 3rd, 2020 at 9:28 AM ^
I think Zeb is getting so much run because Howard sees that this team needs another ball handler. Brooks hasn’t shown he’s been able to break down defenses and his handle and passing have been suspect at points
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:17 AM ^
Zeb appears to be the only one who can break down a defense and get to the rim. They'll need him come tournament time.
December 3rd, 2020 at 11:08 AM ^
Zeb appears to be the only one who can break down a defense and get to the rim
Mike Smith can definitely do both
December 3rd, 2020 at 12:33 PM ^
I thought Mike Smith quietly had a great game. He handled the ball well, had three assists to only one turnover. More importantly he hit some shots - he knocked down some short and mid-range jumpers, which is what this team is going to need. ANd that was something that was never really part of Simpson's game.
He brings a good veteran energy to the floor when he's out there - I think he'll really grow into the system the next weeks and by the end of the season he'll be playing really well.
December 3rd, 2020 at 2:17 PM ^
A point guard that can create space for himself and hit that 15-18 ft jumper opens up a lot of passing lanes. If Smith can hit those shots regularly, he makes the team much tougher to defend.
December 3rd, 2020 at 9:21 AM ^
I like what I’ve seen from Zeb earlier on. He seems to have a nice handle, quickness, and instincts but I’d love to see him be more aggressive and hunt his shot more. He also seems to struggle a bit finishing at the rim through contact but I think that should improve as he gets older and puts on muscle
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:22 AM ^
I thought that Juwan's strategy with Austin paid dividends during that first long stretch in the second half when Austin had what was arguably his best stint in college bball. Juwan has stated publicly that he wants a long bench to battle the virus through the season; he's also going to have happier players, better practices, and a bunch of guys who are further ahead of the game (Zeb being one strong example).
People who insist that Howard needs to get his best rotation in forget that there is a nice stretch of right-sized challenges ahead, and that he's watching these guys every day in practice. He knows who his best five, six, seven are.
December 3rd, 2020 at 12:58 PM ^
People are overly obsessed with who starts, but I don't think Austin Davis is going to disengage if he's coming off the bench. He knows he's just keeping the spot warm for Hunter.
But yes, giving Zeb and T-Will time during the non-conference is important. In these games that aren't very close (or shouldn't be), this is a good time to get them some meaningful playing time and let them see some things they might not see in practice. But let's not forget that Michigan really only has two guards ahead of Zeb. If he can get to the point where he can play some minutes against conference opponents, that would be big.
December 3rd, 2020 at 1:27 PM ^
Injuries probably will happen and, this year anyway, diseases can happen. We need as many guys as possible who can play meaningful minutes if called on.
December 3rd, 2020 at 10:29 AM ^
I just enjoyed watching a Michigan team that is having fun and is happy to be out there. Obviously there is a lot of talent, but clearly there is great team chemistry and the guys like playing together. It is a pleasant contrast to . . . some other Michigan team that is just wrapping up their "season."
December 3rd, 2020 at 12:10 PM ^
Guess I should start liking basketball more now.
December 3rd, 2020 at 2:26 PM ^
For your own sanity, that switch should have taken place in 2013. Far more enjoyable on this side of the fence.
Comments