UM-MSU Snowflakes Thread

Submitted by kb on

It is probably not too early to start this up.  I love the team and the success they have had this year so far, but in order to go far in the tournament they've got to step it up.

The lack of physicality on this team is a noticeable issue - they have gotten eaten up inside by teams with a halfway decent big man.

Trey Burke is the only one who can create offense for others.  No other players can penetrate to the hole with regularity.  You slow Burke down and Michigan suffers. 

You're not going to get very far on jump shots alone.  Take it to the hole.

EDIT: The defense is average at best.  Get in front of someone and cut off drives to the hoop...PLEASE.

Enough said.

jaybrew

February 12th, 2013 at 10:49 PM ^

Lets not forget that coach b has led us to a 21-3 record coming into this game. Fwiw..I don't know if anybody would beat state tonight as well as they've played. Our 4 losses have been on the road in the big ten..at arguably the 4 toughest places to win in the conference. Lets not get into freak out mode until we lose to all of these teams at home.

Remember..it was only 6..six..SIX!..days ago when we beat osu in ot and everyone talked about how well coached and complete this team was. To my knowledge we haven't lost anything from that team.

michgoblue

February 13th, 2013 at 8:02 AM ^

I had the sane thought. Our team looked unbeatable for much of the season, but since achieving the #1 ranking, we have been a mess. I see it as a combination of several of the following potential factors:



1. Lack of confidence - it seems like since we lost some of these big games, the team has lost its mojo - they don't seem to have the same swagger. This needs to be fixed asap, as teams that lack confidence don't tend to go far.



2. Youth - we are playing many true freshmen - several are starting or playing critical minutes. these kids have experienced nothing but success so far, so the las of confidence may be even greater for them.



3. Fatigue - this stretch of schedule has been brutal and physical. Could be that some of our guys are fatigued. Look at GRIII, who has dropped off the most - he has been battling guys larger and stonger since Morgan went down, and it looks o be taking its toll.



4. Jordan Morgan - we are really missing him and his inside presence. McGary is bigger and stronger with a higher ceiling, but Morgan is a critical piece.



5. Defense - this one is obvious. We did well for much of the season relying on our shooters, but there are times when you need to get a big stop, especially against better teams. Until we improve this area of our game, I am not confident going into the tourney.

JimBobTressel

February 12th, 2013 at 10:36 PM ^

I'm getting tired of watching teams with big men casually rebound and score, rebound and score, rebound and score, rebound and score, rebound and score, rebound and score while 3 guys not named jordan morgan hover around with vacant expressions on their faces

We are the most upset-able top 5 team in the country

TheGhostofYost

February 12th, 2013 at 10:46 PM ^

 

My opinion of the game is that it’s very fair to start questioning what Belein is doing to get these guys ready.  The team is getting worse every week. Nobody has improved other than McGary, and he was awful tonight.  The offense has become completely one-dimensional, the defensive effort is just embarrassing at times, and there is absolutely no mental toughness on the road against decent teams, especially from the freshman.  How many top 30 recruits consistently fail to show up for games and throw the ball right at the other team multiple times?  Novak and Douglass were guys nobody wanted, and they competed well against State. This team is talented, but they look SOFT and stupid in big moments, which is a bad combo.  In addition, Belein’s substitutions have been very questionable.   Spike, Levert, and McGary on the floor at the same time is a disaster, and I’m not sure how the coaches don’t see that.  This is not a top five team right now.  It’s barely a top 15 team right now.  

SC Wolverine

February 12th, 2013 at 10:50 PM ^

That about sums it up.  Our big men do not have much offensive ability, as well.  I love Mitch, but he is almost certain to drop a pass when pressured underneath.  At least he flies around.  I can't think of another player showing reckless passion out there.  I also agree that the substitutions tonight have been awful.  Do we have an offense other than passing around the horn and taking a three?

TheGhostofYost

February 12th, 2013 at 11:09 PM ^

Sorry to keep ranting, but there is just no excuse for an experienced scorer going 1-11.  Regarding the big men, between Horford, McGary, and Morgan, we have 5 points, 5 fouls, and 7 turnovers.  That is just unbelievably awful.

Even worse, Hardaway, McGary, and Robinson combined for 8 points on 4-20 shooting.  You're not going to come anywhere near a good team when 3 starters do that. 

THEY WERE OUTSCORED BY SPIKE ALBRECHT, COREY PERSON, AND ESO AKUNNE.  

The Shredder

February 12th, 2013 at 11:00 PM ^

The offense has become completely one-dimensional

That was the most alarming thing you said... Because its so true. Pick roll. Pick in roll. Watch the pick and roll. Michigan has to get back to their base sets. Play better team basketball. Michigan has a ton of soul searching to do.

coldnjl

February 13th, 2013 at 5:56 AM ^

I disagree with your assessment. I think that at this point in the season, the big minutes being played by our freshman, have officially caught up with us. GR3 and Stauskus look anemic out there. The B1G is a tough schedule, and with a team how feeds heavy minutes to 3 freshman, wear will show earlier than most. Further, mental toughness is forged through battle, and this team just needs to continue to forge that mindset. Burke and Morgan has it...Timmy had a bad game, but this is a one off for him. Lets enjoy a team that has more than outplayed expectations and let them weather the B1G season, and take the lessons learned on the way and apply them in the B1G and NCAA tournament. That is the one upside to having alot of freshman, that they have a larger capacity to improve over a season than any other team, and their base is pretty fucking good