Monday, March 29, 2021

Michigan Monday: Beautiful Basketball

I had an idea last week that this game might go the way it did.  I don't like predicting blow outs because I feared it would make the opposite come true.   (Like I do for pretty much every football game the past few years). 

Michigan showed the world again the basketball they were playing prior to the Illinois game, when most of the world was not paying attention to the Wolverines.   Michigan got caught in a bit of a rut at the end of the year and limped into the NCAA Tournament as a #1 seed.   Most people noticed.   Folks, wrote off the first 2 wins in the tournament as being a #1 seed and were picking a very talented FSU team to beat the Wolverines.  

Something happened on the way to that upset, Michigan out everything Florida State.   Juwan and Michigan's staff not only out coached Leonard Hamilton and crew, they also embarrassed them as FSU had a week to prepare for the Wolverines.    FSU looked out of sorts all day, as they weren't running any offense and was giving Michigan lay ups as they tried to defend.  I've watched a ton of basketball this tournament and few teams seem to run any type of offense.   It's all 1 on 1 isolation ball.   Michigan is just the opposite, running a high - low offense that seemed to confuse the Seminoles all night.  

It was a Masterpiece for all to see.   Keep painting Juwan! 

Again balanced scoring!  I've mentioned in the past Michigan would not miss Livers if they could make up the 16 points he left with.   

Last night:

Johns = 14

Brown = 12

Johns continued his improved play, yes he had a couple butter finger turnovers but he played one of his best games as a Wolverine.  

If I have to look at a few negatives:

Michigan shot 3-11 from 3 point range.  They need better 3 point shooting from here on out.   

Michigan also missed 8 free throws, which is a killer if this was a close game.  


  • Colin Castleton has entered the NBA Draft and won't hire an agent. 
  • Mike Woodson gets the IU job
  • Shaka Smart saw the writing on the wall at Texas and moved to Marquette
  • Michigan - UCLA 10:00 on Tuesday
  • Update: Giles Jackson is now confirmed in the transfer portal.   Good luck to him at his next school.  

5 comments:

Rudy said...

I'm guilty. I lacked the faith. Thought they'd be gone two games ago. I repent.

MichiganMan said...

RUDY WHY ARE YOU HERE...I TOLD YOU TO PLAY WITH YOUR TOYS!! GO AWAY...YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT SPORTS....

FIRE DON BROWN FROM AZ...BEFORE HE RUINS THEIR PROGRAM.

Tim said...

Rudy - all good. As Bob said, they limped into the tourney, lost Livers and didn't seem to have the killer instinct.

Glad they are playing better and glad to hear you have come around.

FYI - Rudy and all - I have learned over the last 20 years to never trust a man (or child) that posts or emails in all caps. Better to ignore them than try to reason with them or converse with them.

Rudy said...

I hear you Tim. MichMan is probably still arguing over Godzilla vs King Kong and who is really the tougher. Then he sips on his KoolAid and breaks open another luncheable.

szanreno said...

I believe it was buck nuts boy that predicted Michigan would be out in the first round and Rudy predicted they'd be out in the second. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.