MBB vs Texas snowflakes

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

We have problems. A lot of them. It's nice to think about them after a win over a power conference team.

Moe Wagner is the best player on this team. 

The attendance was turrible again. The students showed up and did their job.

9pm games on weeknights can blow me.

Not in the face on Saturday, please

nerv

December 7th, 2016 at 1:13 AM ^

Outside of our 6'10 center MAAR is the only player on the team who is really capable of attacking the basket off the dribble. We are rather insanely one dimensional with him being so passive and ineffective. He really needs to get going; though I really wonder if he is nursing some type of injury with the lack of aggression.

Ahriman

December 7th, 2016 at 5:31 AM ^

The lack of aggression has really been a problem under Beilein. Don't get me wrong, having suffered through the Ellerby years, Beilein is clearly an upgrade. But outside of a number of guys over the years (Graham Brown, Novak, McGary, Burke and JMo come to mind), Beilein teams seem soft.

They too often settle for outside shots. Irvin and Walton are also capable of attacking the basket. In terms of rebounding, defense, and driving the lane, length and skill matter, but it's really more about heart. On good nights shooting, they can play with seemingly anyone (I thought the team had really turned a corner in New York). But it's been like Groundhog Day most years with Beilein. When the outside shots aren't dropping, they can't rely on defense and points in the paint. The worse it gets, the worse the shot selection gets (the game against South Carolina is a prime example).

You often hear a team takes on the attitude of its coach. Beilein is a great offensive teacher, but like they say, defense wins championships. Rebounding and defense are key and have been lacking most years. I'm not suggesting getting rid of him, and his morals and dedication to players are admirable, but making it to the championship game seems more and more like an outlier. In a game with sleazeballs like Rick Pitino, and under the table payments, it's hard to compete year in and year out at a high level when you do it with integrity. I grew up a big Bad Boys fan and obviously rough physical play won't cut it in today's game, but nothing warms the cockles of my heart more than good defense, passing and rebounding.

Uncle Rico

December 7th, 2016 at 8:54 AM ^

Everything you've asked for here was on display, and in fact was the only reason UM won last night, but it was on the defensive side.

The offense struggled obviously - give Texas' work, talent and length a lot of credit for that. The passing was subpar, but 12 assists is not terrible either.  However, UM was able to match that defensive intensity, to hold Texas to 0.82 PPP, 14 TOs and 50 total points.  In a game like this, it's the D that keeps it close and provides the opportunity to win late - that is exactly what happened.

On offense, these guys are clearly trying - the effort is there.  We simply don't have Guard and Wing talent that JB's offense needs to match the success  we've seen in years past.

93Grad

December 7th, 2016 at 10:24 AM ^

MAAR is a nice roll player, but there are reasons why he was not heavily recruited.  He is really old for his class which limits his upside.  He is also not a special talent in any one are of the game.  

He is a nice all around player and your typical  generic three star that there are hundreds of in college ball.

B-Nut-GoBlue

December 6th, 2016 at 11:18 PM ^

Well.  Let's just say this: we're a bubble team again I think, but this win will definietly help come March; unlike last year when we didn't have shit other than our good Conference games we won.  Having a non-conference win like this (Texas will be decent by end of season, I agree with Dakich) will make us sweat much less.

yoyo

December 6th, 2016 at 11:18 PM ^

Great win but yea it looked ugly. I wish Irvin would play more aggressively instead of dribbling around until he pulls up a bad shot. Moe Wagner is a beast and we need to play him and DJ all game.

LS And Play

December 6th, 2016 at 11:23 PM ^

Tonight guaranteed a 10-3 finish in the non-conference barring a miracle win over UCLA. Much better position going into conference play than last year, with Marquette, SMU and Texas all being Top 50-ish wins. The B1G is so down this year. Only 3 teams in the KenPom Top 20. There will be a lot of opportunities to pick up wins. This team is a 7-10 seed. 

aiglick

December 6th, 2016 at 11:29 PM ^

Unfortunately those wins will mean less since the conference appears to be down. We'll probably need at least 12-6 record since the in-conference RPI will be weighed down. Hopefully the team will continue to compete hard.

Richard75

December 7th, 2016 at 12:03 AM ^

How is Mich in a much better position than last year? We were 10-3 last year too.

RPI-wise, Marquette (94), SMU (104) and Texas (128) are nowhere near top-50. Last year's Texas win was a real boost because they were solidly top-50.

The one thing this season has over last is there's been only one blowout loss, but that could change soon enough.




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funkywolve

December 7th, 2016 at 12:41 PM ^

None of those 3 teams are even close to the Top 50 in rpi right now.  Marquette is 88, SMU is 99 and Texas is 120.  Unless those 3 teams improve a lot over the course of the season none of them will be Top 50ish wins and depending on how they do they might not even be Top 100 wins.

Erik_in_Dayton

December 6th, 2016 at 11:23 PM ^

...of this team. Walton, Irvin, and Rahk probably are who they are at this point. They seem like solid guys, but you can't count on them to succeed offensively in each game.

ColeIsCorky

December 6th, 2016 at 11:30 PM ^

They have some good players and young talent and are led by a proven coach with lesser talent. All the early losses will make it difficult, but I think they will continue to improve. NIT may be correct but I think they should be in the Bubble talk at the end of the season. This wasn't like losing to FAU...

ColeIsCorky

December 6th, 2016 at 11:28 PM ^

Walton had a bad game. His passes were not on the mark.

I will say though, the Defense has definitely improved. 2nd half Virginia Tech wasn't good, but the D is so much better this year. It will keep us in games like today when the shot isn't falling.

And I love Mo. Way more confident with the ball now. Has a ton of skill with the ball on his hands for a tall guy.

Bando Calrissian

December 7th, 2016 at 2:18 AM ^

There isn't a market for that many student tickets. You can make every section in the place a student section--it doesn't mean they'll come. Basketball will always be alongside hockey as 2A and 2B to football on campus, based on how good one or the other team is at the moment.