Michigan Monday: The Old Oak and No Buckets

During these COVID months, its been a reach some days trying to find something interesting to write about.   That is not the case today.  My plan was to write about a Michigan Football head coaching change and real possible candidates, but then Sunday showed up and Michigan Basketball almost lost to a team they were favored by 31 points over.  

So the Jimmy stuff will have to wait, because that is a topic that is going to be debated for the next month. 

Did you have a similar feeling this weekend? As you watched your historic football team lose to one of the worst teams in college football, you sat there somewhat un-emotional knowing it's basketball season and the team looked really good before the holiday and has a game tomorrow.  Your focus quickly changed from one sport to the other.     This is a safe bet emotionally right?  Oakland had been hit by COVID, barely practiced at all, and earlier in the week lost by 50.   Cake walk and a great way to end a terrible weekend.  

Best laid plans...........

Michigan Basketball in the first half looked like a bad high school team, as they were confused by a Zone run by a bunch of under-sized Oakland Grizzles.  They turned the ball over 15 times and looked confused and not interested in playing.  Juwan got so upset, he and Livers got into a shouting match during a time out.   Michigan a 31 point favorite found themselves down 2 points at half time.  

I'm sure you know the rest, Hunter Dickinson saved the game with his low post moves, passing, and free throw shooting as it took OT for Michigan to pull out the win.  That is a lot to put on a true freshman, but the kid has a full beard and looks like he is 25 already anyway.  

 My takes:

• This team struggles without a true point running the offense.  Mike Smith got into foul trouble and Michigan had issues at the point with Zeb and Brooks. 
• Brown, might not be the shooter we saw in game 1.   He shot 14 times and scored 5 points.  Still he gives this team needed energy. 
• Livers stats were great, he shot well from 3 but sometimes just makes dumb mistakes on the floor.  We need him to show a bit more senior leadership.  
• Franz confuses the hell out of me.  I feel like he should be Michigan's best player but many times, plays like a end of the bench player.   Other times he does the little things this team needs like getting 13 boards.  Scored 6 points in 32 minutes.  
• Glad Austin Davis stayed for another year and will get a chance to get a free graduate degree. 
• Hunter needs to be starting 
• Terrance Williams is another guy searching for his game and role at Michigan, but love his hustle plays and went back to the court late last night to shoot free throws.  
• When you play an instate team, you will always get a better effort from them.

This was not the game we expected but it was the game that was played.   Michigan can learn from this and will spend plenty of time working against the zone this week.   Michigan shot 8-32 from the 3 point and struggled getting the ball in the hoop.   It was nice for them to wake up and get the ball to Hunter in the low post, which saved the game.  I will take an ugly win over a winless team, Michigan almost went 0-2 on that stat this weekend.  

• Derek Mason was let go from Vandy on Sunday.  He is from the Harbaugh coaching tree.