Hoops vs. Northwestern open thread

Submitted by Ben Mathis-Lilley on
Since ten minutes have gone by I figured I'd start this myself even if I end up being the only one replying. The defense looks good so far - NU looks like it goes with a lot of motion to make up for what I imagine is a relative athletic disadvantage, but we've been vigiliant and active preventing backdoor cuts. Most of their points have come from getting the ball inside and so they're fronting and getting in tight on the guy throwing the entry pass.
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MH20

January 10th, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^

Destroying my blood pressure since 2007. I can't believe how much this paralleled Thursday's game against PSU. How you can come from behind like that and then fall flat on your face is really tough...where is the consistency?

Joined: 10/30/2008

MGoPoints: 40810

BlueintheLou

January 10th, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^

That was the worst minute of basketball I have watched on any level. Grade school, high school, college, NBA. The worst. We had 4-5 turnovers in the most critical minute of the game. This team still has no leadership, no consistency. I fear what the future holds for this team without Manny and Deshawn.

Joined: 09/13/2008

MGoPoints: 4872

Don

January 10th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^

like "heart" or "focus," why not go straight to the real heart of the matter: maybe there's simply not enough real basketball talent on this team, and the coaching staff isn't good enough to compensate for it.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148470

UM Indy

January 10th, 2010 at 4:41 PM ^

Don. There are two future NBA players on this team, a highly rated point guard, two excellent three point shooters, plus Gibson, LLP and Vogrich. To say there's not enough "talent" on this team shows virtually no understanding of the game of basketball. It's certainly MUCH more an issue of "heart" and "focus," and yes even coaching, than "talent."

Joined: 03/05/2009

MGoPoints: 22339

umchicago

January 10th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^

NW certainly doesn't have the talent of UM. in fact, they probably have only one nba caliber player - and he's injured. my biggest complaint is that they just aren't aggressive enough on either end of the court. they constantly get out-hustled for loose balls or don't get back on D. and several players go thru expended bouts of being afraid to drive the lane or take a shot.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33674

umchicago

January 10th, 2010 at 5:06 PM ^

the other problem for lack of hustle is due to the two team leaders: Harris and Sims. those guys appear to coast a lot during games. do you ever see either of those guys dive for a ball? novak is the only guy that goes "all out" all game. perhaps if the "leaders" showed more hustle, it would rub off better on the rest of the team.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33674

jmblue

January 10th, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^

I fucking hate Northwestern. They never, ever do anything outside of conference (in either football or basketball), but in conference they're a bunch of fucking vampires that never die. FML.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102918

UM Indy

January 10th, 2010 at 4:38 PM ^

freakin done with these guys. You don't lose at home to Northwestern. Period. Especially after being up 17 points. There is a serious problem on this team. I just can't quite put my finger on it.

Joined: 03/05/2009

MGoPoints: 22339

Coldwater

January 10th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^

I guess John Belien gets paid millions to "put his finger on it" Lets hope he actually does something about it. We all know he's not bringing in explosive athletes. All he does is bring in pale gunners, and system guys that don't really amount to jack squat.

Joined: 12/14/2008

MGoPoints: 11234

jmblue

January 10th, 2010 at 5:04 PM ^

You may have to retract that line about recruiting in a few months. Beilein is not the problem. If anything, he's a victim of his own success getting last year's team to massively overachieve. We will be fine in the long run. This year we may be in trouble, though. Losing both Cronin and Morgan to injury hurts, a lot.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102918

BlueintheLou

January 10th, 2010 at 5:16 PM ^

Do you see next year going any better? Don't get me wrong. I love Michigan, and I love this team, but I see a wholesale regression from THIS year to next. Losing the two stalwarts of the team. I also thought, going into the season and even moreso now, that this year is a monster year to define the direction of this program. One that could have major implications on recruiting. I think JB is a great coach, always will, and I think he will succeed (eventually) here. But this team is in trouble, which ultimately puts the next few years teams in trouble.

Joined: 09/13/2008

MGoPoints: 4872

Magnum P.I.

January 10th, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^

I don't think it will fully compensate for the loss of talent with Manny's and Sims' departures, but creating an opening for Novak and other hard-workers to step into leadership roles may help this team. All signs suggest that Manny and Sims just aren't leaders, and that is really killing this team's consistency in playing inspired ball. Those guys are the elder statesmen this year, and they're spiritual drains on the team. This isn't the only reason for our struggles this year, but it's a big one.

Joined: 07/16/2009

MGoPoints: 30724

jmblue

January 10th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^

I don't think we'll be all that great next year, but I think we'll do better than people think, and will truly lay the groundwork for success beyond that. The current roster is not what JB would ideally have. He wants to have a lineup with a lot of rangy guys that can play multiple positions and can thrive in the 1-3-1. We're moving in that direction with Smotrycz, Hardaway and McLimans (among others) but right now we're trying to scrape by with a weird mixture of players.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102918

BlockM

January 10th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

It's definitely rational to be concerned, especially because our tournament chances, barring a miracle, are drying up VERY quickly. Complaining about the team and their effort/turnovers/etc. is ok. It might not be received well on MGoBlog, but that's just how it goes. I get a little bit annoyed when people come to say "I'm giving up on the team" and then end up posting about how angry they are for the rest of the game. If you're giving up, then give up and leave, and don't come back until next year.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 40881

Mannix

January 10th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

NU 63 Michigan 176 I'm not consoled by this, but perhaps it played out as it should. Ridiculous finish. I was hoping for about 40 more "pan to Crawford's dad" shots after little Crawford went off.

Joined: 01/15/2009

MGoPoints: 12263

Clark

January 10th, 2010 at 5:27 PM ^

I have not been impressed with the coaching job of this team all year. Ill prepared. Can't attack a trap. Can't play defense (see Boston College game), ect. I thought our coach was one of the "gurus" out there?

Joined: 08/22/2009

MGoPoints: 23

maznbluwolverine

January 10th, 2010 at 6:39 PM ^

to much on Harris and Sims. Other players aren't getting involved in the game when 2 players take 75% of shots night in and night out. How would you like to bust your ass playing defense all night and take 1 shot. Every team knows no matter how much ball movement there is, one of two players will be taking the shot most of the time.

Joined: 02/09/2009

MGoPoints: 887