Michigan basketball team displays a recently regained confidence
Iowa's Matt Gatens (5) guards Michigan's Stu Douglass (1) on Tuesday. Michigan won in overtime, the first time it has won back-to-back Big Ten Conference road games since 2005-2006. (Photo: Associated Press)
There were opportunities at the beginning of the season, when the Wolverines were tabbed as a fringe candidate to make the Final Four. There were ones at the beginning of the Big Ten season, when they could have erased a disappointing non-conference run that featured losses to Utah and Boston College.
And then there has been the past week, when Michigan fought to merely stay .500. Unlike the first two times, though, his team responded.
They won back-to-back road games for the first time this season under Beilein.
“We told them (Tuesday) when you take advantage of opportunities, they multiply,” Beilein said after Michigan outlasted Iowa in overtime, 80-78. “Just, I think they are good enough in math, right, that you keep winning, you’re going to have other opportunities and more opportunities.
“So a good road win. Let’s go home.”
Home, for Michigan, is a place the Wolverines need to take advantage of the rest of the regular season. Three home games remain and two are against teams they have beaten on the road - Penn State on Saturday (6 p.m., Big Ten Network) and then Minnesota on March 2 (7 p.m., Big Ten Network).
Five regular-season games are left, three of which - at home against Illinois and on the road against Ohio State and Michigan State - are against the top five teams in the Big Ten and likely NCAA tournament teams.
The Wolverines, 13-12 overall, need to go 3-2 to end the season to ensure a winning record and a likely postseason berth. Two games are winnable and Michigan will likely be favored - at home against Penn State on Saturday and Minnesota.
The other three are more difficult and only one is at home.
“We try to creep up in the league and try to make a run these last couple of games,” senior forward DeShawn Sims said. “Being able to win a road game and just put together a good stretch.”
So Michigan understands what is ahead but for the first time since maybe the beginning of the season, the Wolverines are playing with confidence.
For the first time all year, they are making shots from beyond the 3-point line and are showing efficiency offensively.
“The last two games I think we’ve shot 50 percent back-to-back so that’s what we’re capable of,” Beilein said. “We’ve had some really disappointing losses. If we make two more three’s, there’s a whole different picture of where we are in the standings. That’s what it comes down to sometimes.
“If we make one less (Tuesday), we’re in here wondering what’s wrong.”
Not only with what happened in that single game, but in terms of Michigan’s entire season as well.
Instead, because of newfound shooting range and rediscovered confidence, Michigan is having positive conversations about its season for the first time in 2010.
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
flyerpride01
Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
Im on the jonny B train...he just has to remember to keep adjusting his system to his players..An for god sake mix the 1-3-1 back in there ever so often..Stuey D's poise is the key...when he's on the game just moves at an entirel different pace..I saw an AAU even last summer in which Timmy Hardaway Jr played an he is a very head tough player..I think he is very underated..I just dont understand why Jonny B didnt get Talley jr..The kid was the point guard That we so desperately need..We are closer than most believe.. go blue...Um 67-psu 53
twill68
Fri, Feb 19, 2010 : 6:50 a.m.
I agree with you engineer when you wrote that JB is not bringing in the talent to compete in the Big Ten. I could be wrong but I don't think Manny was a recruit of JB. One comment said that JB was doing a great job and that Michigan fans are spoiled. I personally think that JB has done a decent job, not great and as far as being spoiled, this basketball team has been bad for years, how in the world are we spoiled? I really don't see Michigan basketball being any better next year.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Feb 19, 2010 : 3:28 a.m.
It wearies me to read the endless hype. This year was a huge step backward. And there have only been two wins total against teams not in the Big Ten's bottom three - the win at Minnesota, by far the most impressive game of the season, and the home win against an injured Ohio State. Even if the Wolverines manage to pick off a top Big Ten team in the final five games (at MSU, at OSU, home against Illinois), they would still need a victory in the conference tournament to even have a shot at the NIT. I don't see Manny coming back, either. Even though I think he has regressed and could use the experience.
gwncb
Thu, Feb 18, 2010 : 3:44 p.m.
I think JB is doing a great job and like his team, now and next year. Michigan fans are spoiled.
birch creek john
Thu, Feb 18, 2010 : 7:53 a.m.
It wearies me to read what all the "negative Neds" have to say. Next year will be terribbly exciting; several of the UM team members will be at the stage developmentally where they can contribute to the fullest. They now understand the system, they will have another season behind them, another off-season in the weight room and classroom, and just the inevitable confidence that comes with maturity. People forget that these are 18-19 year old kids who are being forced to make a tremendous adustment, not only to basketball, but also to college life in general. So, next year, look for great leadership from Manny as well as continuing leadersship from Stu and Zack. And, most exciting of all, if Bobby Knight is any kind of judge of basketbball talent and character, then we can expect a breakout year from Morris. Add a new big guy or two and it will be fun next winter across the road from the golf course!
Engineer
Wed, Feb 17, 2010 : 9:02 p.m.
I believe too little too late. Barring a totally unexpected surge to 5 stright wins this team has taken a huge step back this year. JB is not bringing the talent to AA to compete in the big ten. A win at the breslin center would be a step back in the right direction. Beating up a bottom feeder in the big ten not all that impressive.