Jordan Morgan lovepost

Submitted by Erik_in_Dayton on

I'm really impressed with the mental part of his game.  While so many first-year players hit a wall, Morgan just keeps getting better.  He's finishing well around the basket (dunking when he should), playing with confidence, and making the occasional nice pass.  It looks like he really understands what the team wants to do on offense and how he fits into that plan.  The free throws he hit late and the late draw of the charge showed great poise. 

Given the lack of enthusiasm about Morgan coming out of high school, I almost couldn't be happier with his play this year.  I'm excited to see what he can do in the future.  I also hope that he'll eventually have enough success to convince highly-rated big men prospects that they can come to Michigan and flourish.

My guess is that Bacari Alexander must deserve a lot of credit for Morgan's play this year.  It looks like Beilein did very well for himself when he replaced his assistants this offseason. 

Anyway, great win and go Blue!   

BraveWolverine730

February 19th, 2011 at 7:37 PM ^

Morgan has probably been the biggest surprise this season out of everyone. I mean at my most optimistic, I could see Morris and Hardaway being as good as they are, but I didn't think Morgan could be anywhere near this good this year.  If he can just avoid taking dumb fouls the next couple years I'll think he'll be a force, especially if Smotrycz can develop into a four man that can stretch the floor. 

somewittyname

February 19th, 2011 at 7:38 PM ^

he is phenomenal at rolling off screens and we get a lot easy buckets because of it. If he can truly develop some 1v1 post moves a la Sullinger, he could be a great big man.

teamort2

February 19th, 2011 at 7:53 PM ^

I cringe with him out on the top of the key handling the ball, but that is our offense.  His pick and roll has improved and his passing skills are off the charts from the start of the season.  The kid has improved more than anyone on his basketball skills.  If you can't tell im a big fan of this kid.

Srock

February 19th, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^

Three guys score 18, 20 and 30. That's tough to defend for anyone. I was very impressed with Morgan's 2 FT's to send the game to OT, those of course were huge. 

Side Note - DAMN Broncos just scored to go up 1-0, 49 seconds in.....

I am liking this Hoops team, they are more of a team then last years IMO. 

The heartbeat is alive for the NCAA's, faint, but beating...

Go Blue!

Muttley

February 19th, 2011 at 7:43 PM ^

this year.

I sure am glad to be proven dead wrong about that.

Morgan is a space-eating force.  And now he's capable of putting up 20? What an awesome surprise.

MaizeAndBlueManGroup

February 19th, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^

It recently hit me how good this team can be as Morgan, Morris, and Hardaway continue to progress and play off of eachother. Combined with the other role players and more young talent coming in, this team as a very high ceiling.

maineandblue

February 19th, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^

Maybe my memory is flawed, but frosh Morgan is starting to look almost as good as a senior Courtney Sims. And lately he's starting to gain the confidence to just go up strong and dunk, something Sims always struggled with. Future=bright.

umchicago

February 19th, 2011 at 7:54 PM ^

courtney sims actually had pretty good post moves; just a bit slow.  he also was weak taking it to the rim.

morgan doesn't really have a good post game, but he dunks with authority on those pick and rolls.  the great thing is that morgan has 3 more years of eligibility. 

JB, please get this guy some help in the paint.

teamort2

February 19th, 2011 at 8:39 PM ^

Best Center at Michigan was Jawaan Howard.  Smartest center I'd seen, tho he had alil talent around him.  He could do it all as a team player.  I seen the fab 5, for all u kiddies, when they played ND for the first time they all started.  I think it was like the third or fourth game of the season and ND wasnt that strong.  Good time for the COACH to start them all?  Morgan plays like Howard did.

Edward Khil

February 20th, 2011 at 12:25 AM ^

Had a monster game (30 and 13) against Arkansas in '94 that should have pushed UM into its third straight Final Four.

But that was the crescendo of his career: he moved on to be a pretty good NBA player.

Crazylegs Roy Tarpley was probably the best Center Michigan ever had.  (OK, it's a tossup.)

And if Beilein can recruit, JoMo will be a power forward next year. 

FgoWolve

February 20th, 2011 at 9:30 AM ^

I doubt Belein takes anyone else for his 2011 class besides Trey Burke and Carlton Brundidge. Both of them are backcourt guys. Morgan will be at the 5 for better or for worse the rest of his career. And that's not a terrible thing, because he has the size to bang around with other Big Ten centers.  He defended Sullinger well. It's the tall guys he'll have trouble with in his career, like Mike Tisdale and JaJuan Johnson. Best case scenario, Smotrycz develops as a 4 to the point where Belein feels comfortable having both of them on the floor most of the game.

champswest

February 19th, 2011 at 8:55 PM ^

Courtney Sims had a good offensive game and could put up 30 on SOME nights.  Trouble was, he often disappeared for entire games.  He was slow, and IMO didn't play hard most of the time.  It always seemed to me that he didn't reallly care that much.  Keep in mind, Morgan is just a freshman.  By time he is done, he could very well be much better than Courtney.  The coaches say he wants to learn and improve.

umchicago

February 20th, 2011 at 1:55 PM ^

was also on that team and played like he didn't care, tho he did battle some injuries early in his career.  he would show up 3 or 4 times a year.  he was 6'11" and athletic with a decent outside shot.  what a complete waste that he didn't make it.  there is no reason he could not be like J Johnson of purdue.

another reason to hate amaker.  that guy could not coach or develop players in the least.  seemed like a nice guy tho.

aiglick

February 19th, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^

Morgan has gotten much better regarding fouls. A few weeks ago he would pick up a couple fouls in the first few minutes of the game. He, along with the rest of the team, has been really impressive. I cannot wait for Wisconsin. Whatever happens this year the team has gained some valuable experience.

Blue boy johnson

February 19th, 2011 at 7:50 PM ^

Belien is a phenomenal coach. Morgan's development as a player has been nothing short of spectacular and we get 3+ more years of this. Kudos to Belien for the direction and to Morgan for putting in the blood, sweat, toil and tears.

Now, about THJ, I know he is Tim Hardaway's son, but when he gets in the lane, elevates, hangs, and gets good looks, he reminds me of the Big Dog, from his days at Purdue.

GoPackGo

February 19th, 2011 at 8:19 PM ^

vastly exceeding expectations with a team full of freshmen and sophmores in a strong big ten doesn't qualify you as being a good coach? what does make an excellent coach then? because a young team that has stayed poised in many tough places this year, won games they werent supposed to and played the best teams in the country to a few points would lead me to believe he's done a heckuva coaching job...

teamort2

February 19th, 2011 at 9:24 PM ^

You to have boughtt into the best of the rest.  He is the Man.  This is MICHIGAN i thought.  Winning doesnt matter its how u play the game.  We give kids lill trophies for showing up, maybe we should do that for the kids at MICHIGAN.

 

GoPackGo

February 19th, 2011 at 9:32 PM ^

you seriously can't admit he's done a good job? How has he not? Did you expect this team to win the National  Title? Or a Big Ten title against teams like Ohio St. that have 1 loss or a Wisconsin team that doesn't lose at home. like ever.

Or are you questioning the purpose of a basketball coach completely? Because yes, he is not the one making the shots, rebounding the ball, playing the game, but I assume you're smarter than that.

Because right now, you sound like you're analyzing this like many do with our football program..."We should be in contention every year because we're michigan damn it!" That's not the way things work.

Or, you might just not be very familiar with basketball or how programs rise and fall...

Anyway, what is the problem with saying John Beilien has done a good job this year? Your argument would be stronger if you provided evidence...

teamort2

February 19th, 2011 at 9:47 PM ^

He is the one that picks his players, he is the one that says I am the coach at MICHIGAN, we will win(I can only assume he tells them that).  You must be thinking about the hokeamamdfnafj  bullsh.......football has alot more problems than the basketball team.  I dont like to lose and will admit it.  Win or Lose and forget the bs.  BTW the Michigan girls BBgame was great, actually more exciting than the game today for the men at IOWA because they beat Wissssy on the road.