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Posted on Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 8:08 p.m.

Michigan basketball drops its third straight game on European tour

By Michael Rothstein

Throughout the past week, a world away from Ann Arbor, the Michigan basketball team is learning exactly what professional basketball is all about.

The Wolverines dropped their third straight game to a Belgian pro squad, this time a 70-55 loss to Oostende on Wednesday.

Junior guard Stu Douglass led Michigan with 15 points, including 4 of 9 shooting from beyond the 3-point line.

The Wolverines shot 32 percent from the field, 31 percent from the 3-point line and only made 32 percent of their free throws.

"The second quarter was the story of the game today," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "Whether it's rotation or whatever would be a mix of youth and they are a good team, that was our demise right there."

Michigan was outscored 28-10 in the second quarter.

Every Michigan player saw at least a minute of action except for freshman Colton Christian, who missed his third straight game.

Beilein, though isn't concerned about the 0-3 record.

"We are playing a very tough schedule," Beilein said. "It's not set up to win. It's set up to experience some things, see what we have to work on.

"Winning, we're trying to get better so we can win during the season."

Through three games, freshman Tm Hardaway Jr. has led the Wolverines with 11 points per game. As a team, Michigan has averaged 59.3 points, 31.7 rebounds, 11.3 assists and 14 turnovers.

Michigan finishes its four-game tour with Mons on Thursday.

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

umgoblue47

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 4:36 p.m.

michigan basketball team just won there 4th and last game 80-74... not bad for beating a pro/team... osubetter you also mispelled competitive, lol... very very lame... go blue...

OSUbeBetter

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.

@ Win Dude you miss spelled "compeditave". Haha, See how lame that is? The Ol' Grammar Slam, Also Known As the Lamest and most Irrelevant of all come back lines. When you've got nothing, head to the spell check. I cant believe you dont know how to spell "compeditave"

win

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 10:06 a.m.

@OSUbebetter, I sure hope our students are as "compeditave" in the classroom as OSU grads are.

orlandomichfan

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.

why are there so many negative people??? get behind your team and hope this experience will make them a better team..just because all the media honks say they will be bad doesn't mean they will be..i think they will surprise a lot of people this year..GOOOOOO BLUE!!!

trigg7

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.

M will finish in 10th place in the BIG TEN. Keep up the good work WEST ARBOR!

NoBowl4Blue

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 7:40 a.m.

Losing.......get used to it. Ex WVU coaches can't get it done in the Big Ten. No Bowls or tourneys speak volumes

ssAA

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 7:27 a.m.

My understanding is that Jordan Dumars is still on the team but he was not eligible for this trip because of the date he transferred. I think the rule is that a transfer must sit out exactly 1 year, so if you transfer midseason like Dumars did, then you sit the first half of the next season.

SprBwlB4IDie

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 4:44 a.m.

I never knew about these foreign tours since Izzo never took one, but I think it makes a lot of sense for this Michigan squad. The departures of Harris and Sims (and all of their scoring and other contributions) completely change the chemistry and identity of the team. The leftovers plus the incoming freshmen need to establish a new identity and the usual NCAA rules prevent a coach from doing anything but recruit for months. MSU, Purdue, Ohio State, and Illinois should be very strong this season and Michigan would need a lot of luck to get a win against any of them, but this trip may prepare UM to battle for the middle instead of fighting to stay out of the cellar. Beilein may show some coaching skill if he can bring this team together and exceed all realistic expectations. BTW, I have not heard anything about Jordan Dumars lately. Is he still joining the team as a walk-on and if so, was he eligible to go on this tour (and is he on it)?

OSUbeBetter

Thu, Aug 26, 2010 : 4:24 a.m.

Yep, Thats the michigan basketball i remember. I understand this is "Practice", but shouldnt michigan at least be compeditave, because for those European teams there is No Value in playing a team as bad as the wolverines. its a wasted day for them.

Jaxon5

Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.

Maybe JB meant the post-season. Anyway, win or lose, it's a great experience for the team to travel together, play against a higher level of competition and see Europe all at the same time. It can only help.

Engineer

Wed, Aug 25, 2010 : 8:11 p.m.

I wonder what season JB was refering to because he does not seem to concerned when we are not winning during the big ten season. Perhaps he is waiting for the off season!