Posted on Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 3:33 p.m.
Not quite a worst-case scenario for Michigan basketball, but close to it
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Defense? Brutal. Three-point shooting? Horrendous. That's Dylan Burkhardt's assessment of Michigan's performance in the Old Spice Classic.
The Wolverines need to take a long look in the mirror before they squander their postseason chances, Burkhardt writes in his latest post on umhoops.com. First order of business: Wednesday's game against Boston College goes from afterthought to a pivotal game.
Comments
rensational
Thu, Dec 3, 2009 : 10:15 a.m.
No, I completely agree with those people who think Michigan is in trouble this season. Penn State is not necessarily a team to worry about, but Michigan State and Purdue as usual are, Wisconsin is going to be a problem, Ohio State...Illinois and Minnesota are expected to be good. Right now, I can't see Michigan beating any of these teams, and we play some of them more than once. 3-pters aren't the only problem, either--shooting in general is horrible. Michigan missed several point-blank shots against Boston College, and some 2s didn't fall against Alabama, as well. I think if Michigan could at least play Gibson more and get better shooting the ball, then Michigan would get back to what was expected of them, which was at the very least making the NCAA Tournament even if not the Sweet 16. Right now, it's hard to see them in the Tournament, though, or even winning the NIT...maybe not even a 1 seed in the NIT.
chosen1
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 : 4:26 p.m.
WOW...someone predicting a NIT berth after this team's big improvement last year. This team is going to be fine. I don't think they were rated too high to start the season, as most "experts" are predicting them to be a sweet 16 to elite 8 team. As the season goes Morris will improve, Cronin will get back in game shape and give us some size inside, and our shooting will improve. Manny is going to have step up helping on the boards. He needs to use his athleticism to break down the defense and then hit the spot up shooters that we have. Unfortunately, he is probably the only member of the squad who can create his own shot, but nonetheless.....we will be ok and will still be a top3-4 big ten team.... And Penn State's squad, Zulu, is garbage.....they won't finish in the top 8 of the big 10.
Dwinschampionships
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 : 1:03 p.m.
It's too early to panic. Michigan is not as good as they thought, which maybe a good thing in the end. Coach B needs to revamp the starting lineup and use Gibson a lot more. Things will get better. Go Blue! PS. Manny please don't shoot anymore 3s!!!!!! Just do what you do best. Drive and score.
Salinegoblue
Tue, Dec 1, 2009 : 7:01 a.m.
Coach B is a class act and although I'm glad he's at the U of M, there are holes in his type of BB and style of coaching. He's weak on the defensive end of the court and relies on the 1 3 1. He also isn't big on rebounding which hurts, he seems to be content with rushing back on D after the shot is taken and doesn't seem to concerned with rebounding. I do think he will get us back to the tourney consistently over the next several years with an occassional run to the sweet sixteen which is an improvement.
ritawedaliar
Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 10:12 p.m.
U of M basketball is headed the same direction as football. How long are the residents of 2A going to tolerate this? By the way, it looks like WVU football team is going to play in the Gator Bowl. Know what? That means they can still practice legally. Oh yeah, the B-Ball team is #8 in the country. Sorry about that elevator ride for Beilien out of the national rankings. I know, those that stay will be unemployed and homeless. Hail to the late night raiders. hee hee. Go TATER. U of M rules.
KeepingItReal
Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 8:27 p.m.
Four comments about M's Basketball Team. 3 Pointers should be a secondary part of their offense. If M tries too early to go to the 3, other teams will make adjustments to stop the 3. M will then have to go inside. I see that as a problem right now. That may change. Secondly, the players need to move around more to create opportunities. These set plays while ok, are not always going to be effective. Quicker teams will break them down through steals and turnovers. Third, let's face it. M does not have the athletes to be a top tier team. I predict the NIT for them this year. And, finally, there are several teams in the B10 that will dominate M, MSU being one of them and Penn the other. M needs some big, mobile men that can control downlow. I just don't see that happening with this group of players. Its obvious the type of athlete M is trying to recruit. Once Harris is out, this will be a very boring team to watch.
XTR
Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 5:58 p.m.
No Big Men inside. No big men inside means that this team will be outrebonded, outscored inside. Team will slash and stash the inside and just extend their defense on the outside. Stop the threes and this team won't score, then put the ball inside and let UM pay for their small size. Beilein's wonder team was exposed in just 5 games. This team will not last in the Big Ten where the players are big and play rough.
81wolverine
Mon, Nov 30, 2009 : 4:02 p.m.
The defense against Marquette was horrible. And it wasn't a lot better against Creighton either (I didn't see the Alabama game). Deshawn Sims was simply standing around way too many times, letting players score easily in the paint with little pressure. He has always been inconsistent. But, this being his senior year, it MUST stop for Michigan to be a serious NCAA tournament contender. And the whole team better spend extra time practicing free throws and 3 point shots. I don't understand all the 3 point misses even though they were getting good looks. Michigan can't rely on the 3 pointers to have a winning season. We MUST develop an inside game of some sort. And that means better rebounding. All in all, it was a very poor effort at the tournament for Michigan and something they shouldn't be very happy or proud of.