UM Bball wins game 3 - 116-52

Submitted by alum96 on

Has anyone seen the Washington Generals ?  First half ended 63-36.

Have to say I am disappointed in the level of opponent on this trip.  I believe we got crushed a time or two when we last went to Europe.  I would not mind a game say within 10 pts or heck us losing by 10.  Not sure you gain much from crushing teams (or being crushed) - always at the youth level liked to play teams about 1 notch higher than you especially early in the season.  I mean team bonding and all but this is a bit ridiculous. 

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charblue.

August 20th, 2014 at 8:13 PM ^

his game 2 woes. It doesn't matter to me if they play inferior talent beccause this is a just an exhibition tour. My reaction to these scores was based on comments made by the staff before the trip that they would face some difficult opponents who would test their young lineup, which hasn't been the case. 

The entrie experience is beneficial on all counts. I think it's a huge bonus being part of this program and getting the opportunity and they are getting early acclimation as a team which is extremely helpful. But players tend to respond to challenges. And I get the feeling from just the on-site reporting that some of our guys aren't feeling that challenge regardless of their success teamwise and individually. 

These are practice games. We're talking practice, not real games, but practice. And in practice, you want to see what your guys can do when they are stressed, challenged and forced to deal with adverse situations which they will face when the season actually arrives. 

I'm being a little precocious, because this trip is a total positive no matter how they play. It just would be nice to see them come up against talent that would make them a little grittier on the boards, defensively and otherwise. I also wouldn't to judge their performance and make wholssale generalizations based on four games, which some analysts have chosen to do. 

Joined: 05/25/2010

MGoPoints: 11405

Raoul

August 20th, 2014 at 7:31 PM ^

Quotes from the recap are below. See the third quote from Beilein for the value of these games regardless of the level of competition. The team also got valuable experience today playing against a zone defense. Austin Hatch played the last few minutes again today. He missed the one shot he took, but he did record an assist.

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach John Beilein
On how the team may be exceeding expectations thus far ... "Our defense exceeded what I thought we could do today. We started slow, but as the game went on they were very good at their dribble-drive attack. We made it difficult for them to get the ball in the paint and then they had to rely on three-point shooting and we guarded that as well. The defense then became our offense."

On Mark Donnal's development since coming overseas ... "We continue to show Mark and Ricky (Doyle) film so that they can get better. I really don't care what each one does; I care what they do collectively. Tonight was 29 points and almost 20 rebounds between the two of them. It would be too much to think about getting 20 and 20 from them, but if we needed to get double-figures, that's a heck of a big man."

On the value of experienced guards like Spike Albrecht and Derrick Walton Jr. ... "I'm glad Spike was out there (with them), but to be honest I don't pay attention to what year the players are. I just try to get everyone equal minutes and have everybody learn a little bit of rhythm. In games like this, we just want to get video on it so we can teach players why things work and why things don't work. That's what's real for us. We practice against ourselves and while we get better doing that, when you practice against others and you don't know their schemes and you have to guard their themes, that's very helpful to our progress."

On the team's experience at the U.S. Military base today ... "These young men have seen some special things on this trip, and they all really enjoyed today. To be with the troops, feed them and sit with them and then go see some of their weapons and trucks, tanks and humvees; the team loved that. We were on our feet a lot today. It has been about six straight days spent on our feet and they responded, so I'm happy about their whole attitude. They're enjoying it and embracing the culture that we're exposing them to. At the same time, they're coming to play."

U-M Sophomore Zak Irvin
On his mindset for today's game ... "My teammates told me, if my shot wasn't falling, to get to the basket and that's one thing I didn't do a lot last year. It's one of the big things I wanted to work on for this year."

On the effectiveness of the zone offense ... "We thought we were going to see some zone (defense) when we came over here to Italy. We didn't see it in the first two games but we did see it tonight so it took us a little bit of time to get adjusted, but we made our adjustments and we were able to counter what they were doing and make it productive."

On general feelings about the first three games from a team perspective ... "We've had three great games. Each game we're getting better. You can see it when we watch film, defensively we're getting better. Our goal was to hold teams under 60 points and we were able to do that again tonight; then scoring 100 points is something special."

On the team's experience with the U.S. Military today ... "To be honest, it was breathtaking seeing all those men and women fighting for us even though they're overseas. You have to give them all the credit in the world and be grateful for everything we have."

U-M Redshirt Freshman Mark Donnal
On his double-double performance today ... "It was definitely a good game for me coming off of yesterday's game. Yesterday I was in foul trouble, so this got my confidence up a little bit and I was pretty happy with my performance. My teammates found me open and I got some easy buckets."

On the biggest difference in his game from yesterday to today ... "Just getting past the defense in offensive transition. Spike and Doc (Andrew Dakich) were able to find me."

On his impressions of the team's adjustments so far ... "Especially with a growing team like us, it's important for us to see both zone and get some different looks on defense and I thought we executed pretty well today."

U-M Freshman Aubrey Dawkins
On his success in today's contest ... "I think I have been getting a little more comfortable every game, and a little more of my natural game came out today. I played within the offense, so things came to me and I capitalized."

On the importance of rebounding in today's offense ... "People have told me in the past that crashing the boards and getting involved in the game helps you stay in the game and not be passive on the court and zone out. It keeps you focused on doing something to help the team. That's what really got me going."

On making so many adjustments, such as the shot clock difference and learning the new offense ... "I think it's coming along nicely; that showed up in the game today. It's becoming more fluid and natural."

On staying in the game mentally despite a lopsided score ... "You never want to get lazy on the court, because that's practicing bad habits. You want to keep playing the way you should play, no matter what the score is. Whether it's high or low, keep playing the same game so when there are close games there's no difference and you're always ready to go."

Joined: 09/29/2009

MGoPoints: 13957

AlwaysBlue

August 20th, 2014 at 8:58 PM ^

follows Beilein knows that the purpose of this trip is practice time and team chemistry. I honestly believe that JB thinks those two things are critically important to success. (One of the things they look for in a recruit is if he's a gym rat.) Contrast that with Izzo who stages slumber parties and calls out his players when he's looking for team chemistry and motivation.

Joined: 11/23/2008

MGoPoints: 7854