mark donnal
zak irvin
derrick walton
hoops game recaps
duncan robinson
2015-16 nebraska

Michigan 81, Nebraska 68 Comment Count

Ace


Game ... blouses

Derrick Walton capped the victory in appropriate fashion, drilling a long three as the shot clock expired on Michigan's final possession.

After a poor shooting night nearly cost the Wolverines what should've been an easy win over Minnesota, a 10/21 performance from beyond the arc keyed a hard-fought road triumph over a hot Nebraska squad. In a game of runs, Michigan's significant advantage in outside shooting—especially to open each half—ultimately made the difference, even when they tried to hand that edge right back with ill-advised turnovers.

Walton had arguably his best game of the season running the offense with Caris LeVert still sidelined, posting a 19-12-6 line and making 4/6 three-pointers. His ability to dart into the lane and work off the high screen opened up opportunities for Michigan's two other leading scorers on the day; Mark Donnal (14 points, 4/8 FG) benefited when Walton looked to the paint, while Duncan Robinson (21, 6/12) found more room than usual on the perimeter, especially in transition.

Walton had a hand in eight of Michigan's first 12 points as they ran out to an early eight-point lead, then the Huskers clawed their way back, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by Walton to cut the halftime lead to three with a buzzer-beating triple by Glynn Watson. The second half played out in much the same fashion; M quickly pushed the lead up to 18 points, but turnovers and shoddy zone defense allowed Nebraska to get as close as two points with 3:11 left.

This time, however, Michigan closed the half strong. Walton knocked down a pair of free throws, then Muhammad-Ali Adbur-Rahkman found Robinson on a backcut with a beautiful no-look pass for an authoritative finish to get the lead back to six. Shavon Shields, who was hounded into a 4/11 shooting night by Zak Irvin, responded with a layup, but Michigan made a comeback impossible by subsequently knocking down eight straight free throws.

It certainly wasn't a pretty win. Michigan coughed up the rock 14 times, including several skip passes that didn't have a prayer of reaching their intended target; on the other end, the non-Irvin defenders had trouble keeping Nebraska's drivers in front of them, even while mostly playing zone. Road wins should never be discounted, however, and by the power of the three, Michigan emerged victorious in a difficult place to play.

Comments

Michigan4Harbaugh

January 23rd, 2016 at 6:30 PM ^

Yes Irvin did an excellent job defending Shavon "the bull rusher" Shields. Every time that guy got the ball, he was guaranteed to dribble right with his head down, out of control, bull rushing to the hoop, trying to do it all himself. Don't get me wrong, the kid has game, but it was just great to see us frustrate him at the end!!

Joined: 01/20/2015

MGoPoints: 4252

Goggles Paisano

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:23 PM ^

Walton was fantastic today.  I thought the biggest shot of the game was the Dawkins turnaround jumper as the shot clock expired.  Neb kept coming back and that shot helped stop their run.  

Joined: 07/30/2011

MGoPoints: 41232

TrueBlue2003

January 24th, 2016 at 8:18 PM ^

behind Irvin and Robinson, that's what the deal is.  Sometimes you have to wait your turn.  I suppose you could wonder why Rahkman has gotten most of Levert's minutes instead of Dawkins and the answer is defense and shot creation.  

Rahkman is a much better perimeter defender than Dawkins, and Rahk is a solid drive-to-the-basket guy when things break down, which is a skill set that is needed with Levert out. Dawkins is more of a spot up shooter or lob dunker, and both skills are dependent on teammates and redundant with Robinson's skillset.  Rahk is a creator on a team without many.

Joined: 01/05/2010

MGoPoints: 38075

klctlc

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:23 PM ^

Curious on the PT.  Did Irvin, Robinson or Walton come out in the second half? I don't think they did. I believe that contributed to some of the turnovers. Walton was gassed, you could see when he shot his free throw.

Gutty effort.  If/when Levert comes back, it will be a huge lift.  Not just having your best player back, but can take pressure off the starters.

I was pretty critical in the off season and as usual. Beilien has proved he is a great coach.  Donnal is so solid against teams without a dominant big man.  He has made such a difference.

Two handed slam by Robinson was awesome.  That kid is good......

Joined: 09/02/2009

MGoPoints: 2704

The Man Down T…

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:23 PM ^

through the season.  In the beginning of the season, when LeVert went down, we wondered if we'd even make the NIT.  Now we're pretty sure of the NCAA.  Get LeVert back and we'll be even better.  Yes, there is a lot of places to improve, but they will improve those places.  That's what Beilein does.  

Joined: 12/04/2008

MGoPoints: 20133

JBE

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:25 PM ^

I'd take coach B over any other coach in the B10. His brand of basketball is wide open, and the teams are fun to watch.

Joined: 08/18/2008

MGoPoints: 19316

klctlc

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:36 PM ^

I think that tells us how important this game is to Beilein.  Needs every road win he can get and puts M in the top echelon.  I kept waiting for dakich to come in  along Rahkman or Dawkins to relieve Irvin/Robinson ( second half) and neither happened.

I really think a few of Waltons TO were because he was gassed.  Normally he dribble drives through.  A couple of those passes were pretty uncharacteristic of his game.

Joined: 09/02/2009

MGoPoints: 2704

OkemosBlue

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:57 PM ^

Yes, Walton was doing everything and he was tired, but I think some of it was that the rest of the team didn't know how to make themselves available for a pass when he got in trouble, hence he threw some desperation skip passes, especially after MAR went out.  Dawkins is not the ball handler that MAR is.

 

Joined: 01/15/2016

MGoPoints: 355

bronxblue

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:34 PM ^

It wasn't a pretty win, but right now this team is exceeding my expectations even if Lavert was playing. This looks like a solid team that should only be more competitive as the season progresses. They are still terrible on defense for strerches, but when you can shoot like they have it's hard to see anyone beating them.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171810

Alumnus93

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:37 PM ^

Donnals issue is not getting over a mess up...for he will do a string of three. It's a shame, his lack of confidence and/or short memory, bec he is skilled and could be quite good. He seems to always have this Sam Bradford face that exudes weakness.

Joined: 09/10/2009

MGoPoints: 9684

TrueBlue2003

January 24th, 2016 at 8:43 PM ^

Donnal has the best offensive rebounding rate (17.7%) in the B1G in conference games.  That's right, he is so far the conferences best offensive rebounder. He's also eighth in block rate.  His emergence is the number one reason the team has been able to play as well or better without LeVert.  He is playing at a Jordan Morgan level of consistency right now.  Not a rim protector but in the right spots on defense, and playing the pick and roll well on offense.  He's been such an asset in conference play.

Joined: 01/05/2010

MGoPoints: 38075

mGOlog

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:37 PM ^

Is it just me or does this team almost play better without Levert? It seems like they have the ability to be less one-dimensional with him out and opposing teams have a harder time defending when there is no go-to guy. Can't wait to be wrong when Caris returns though.

Joined: 09/19/2013

MGoPoints: 77

Alumnus93

January 23rd, 2016 at 5:43 PM ^

Doyle appears to have lifted too many weights and is slow to react now. anyone notice this? late with his reflrexes, head is always down and late to the play. hes muscular bit its too much weight

Joined: 09/10/2009

MGoPoints: 9684

spiff

January 23rd, 2016 at 6:01 PM ^

Re: Game ... blouses   - That is my favorite Dave Chapelle skip. Amazing. I encourage as many references to is as possible

Re: 5-2  - we would probably have the same record even if Lavert was playing. Maybe a win at Iowa? But otherwise if we can sit him the next two games and get W's then his injury would really have had no impact to the team (definitely sucks for him though)

Re: Walton - a warrior, and I love his game, but a few times a game there is a play that leaves me scrathing my head. Nobody can be perfect, and he is by far a +++ point guard, I guess perfection is an unrealistic expectation.

Joined: 05/18/2009

MGoPoints: 1735

Padog

January 24th, 2016 at 8:53 AM ^

Well said about Walton. Some players a just like that, what we can hope for is that next year and going forward he really cuts down on those bad plays. Maybe we can attribute it to him losing basically his entire sophomore season.



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Joined: 08/27/2010

MGoPoints: 8510

WolverinesQC

January 23rd, 2016 at 9:20 PM ^

Watching Cal play Arizona tonight and I'm thinking how great Jalen Brown would be in Beileins system.  He is doing well this year but system Cuonzo Martin is running does no justice for Jalen. Man he would be so much better in Beileins system.  Damn shame really. 

Joined: 11/27/2012

MGoPoints: -1

WestPalmBlue

January 23rd, 2016 at 10:32 PM ^

Admittedly I don't catch every game or read every MBB related thread.. so maybe it has been covered and maybe I just don't know enough about strategy... But I just don't see an advantage to ever bringing in Chatman or Wilson while the game is still in doubt. These two both seem completely lost out there to me.

Joined: 01/08/2015

MGoPoints: 1531

MGoBender

January 24th, 2016 at 10:48 AM ^

Chatman I kind of agree with, but Wilson has shown flashes and you need to give him and/or Doyle some minutes here or there.  It's a long season and you never know when you'll need a guy to fill a small role.  Don't forget, people were sayign the same thing about Donnal not long ago and now nobody ever wants him off the court, and rightfully so.

Joined: 03/26/2010

MGoPoints: 15128

Ty Butterfield

January 24th, 2016 at 1:09 AM ^

Actually watched most of the game. It was rare, but I was at a friend's house and he wanted to see how pissed off I would get if they lost so he put the game on and refused to turn it off. Big road win but it was the same stuff. Michigan hit 3s so they won. Just make the dance and maybe they can steel a game or two.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: -81685

MGoBender

January 24th, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^

They also routinely went inside when they needed a big bucket and did a great job rebounding.

Also, also they shoot 42% from three.  It's not like they bomb up a million shots and hope to get lucky.  They are a great 3pt shooting team.  It's not an abberation when they shoot 52% from 3, it's one or two makes above their average.  Take away those 2 makes yesterday (9/21 instead of 11/21) and they probably still come away with road B10 win in a game Kenpom had them as an underdog.

I'm so sick of the false "this team can only win when the threes fall" meme.

Joined: 03/26/2010

MGoPoints: 15128

jmblue

January 24th, 2016 at 12:17 PM ^

A lot of fans still seem to regard the 3 as some oddball novelty, and not part of "real" basketball, even though this is now the 30th year of the shot's existence in college ball (and it's been in the NBA even longer).  

Today's players have never known the game without the three and it's a completely normal part of their arsenal.  To not take ample advantage of a shot that's worth 50% more, in today's game, is crazy.

 

 

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102861