Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Michigan Tuesday: Let's Talk Some Basketball

Michigan Basketball is currently in Fort Myers, Florida playing in a pre-Thanksgiving tournament.   The arena looks like a gym with bad lighting.   They had to delay the start of the tournament for 90 minutes as one of the baskets collapsed.  Luckily, the Michigan - VT game started on time.  This clearly isn't the Maui Invitational. 


Michigan started the game like they were on vacation.  They missed a ton of outside shots but so did VT.  Michigan was heavily favored in the game and found themselves trailing most of the 1st half.  In the 2nd half, the Wolverines found their game and pulled away for a comfortable win.

After watching all but one of the games this year, I have a few thoughts. 

  • The Wolverines biggest strength is everyone on the floor can score, which also happens to be their biggest weakness.   This team is not selfish but everyone wants to go for 20 every night.  Which means they turn the ball over a ton.  Too much 1 on 1 and not enough moving the ball for the open shot.  
  • I don't think playing Vlad and Wolfe together is working.  Neither is playing well offensively and both struggle with rebounds (Wolfe rebounded well last night).   I've watched more then my fair share of Vlad at FAU and never saw him miss so many bunnies.  Wolfe feels like he just doesn't have a feel for the offense after he played well in the exhibitions.  He is also turning the ball over way too much.   Might need to work a rotation for those 2 guys.   Michigan has very little low post offense and they play two 7 footers.  
  • Every game I've watched, Michigan is very sloopy in the first half with offense and turn overs and play much better in the 2nd half.   How can they play clean basketball in both halves?
I like this team and think they will be competitive in every game they play.  They just look a little disjointed most of the time on offense.  You never know who will go for 20 but someone usually does.  If you are going to play Vlad and Wolfe at the same time, they are a walking miss match on defense and that is clear.   If they can figure out the turnovers, get better on the boards, and hit more free throws there could be something here. 

Michigan plays Xavier on Wednesday night in the championship game.   

  • Jim continues his losing streak in the Harbaugh Bowl. 
  • Pretty sure Jim had the Chargers wear the Big Game Blues last night 
  • Sherrone gave "coach speak" about injuries to Loveland and if Will will be available on Saturday.  I expect Will and the Dr.'s have shut him down for the year. 
  • Tulsa fired former OSU OC Kevin Wilson and Houston fired its OC this morning. 
  • Last night of MACtion.  Kent State tries to get its first win of the season in Buffalo and Toledo visits Akron.  

27 comments:

Brady2017 said...

Anyone else see the similarities between the Chargers' uniforms and Michigan's last night? I'll take it a step even further- can you imagine Michigan w the white helmet with blue wings outlined in Maize? It looked pretty good last night.

N.C. fired head coach and former Texas coach Mac Brown. I'd take him over Biff. But not by much.

Basketball team looks good and is fun to watch.

Brady2017 said...

Kevin Wilson used to be the Indiana head coach and always ran an exciting offense. I recall a 48-45 shootout Michigan had against him not that long ago. Didn't Indiana have a good dual threat QB? I can't think of his name. Id take Wilson over Campbell in a heartbeat.

Brady2017 said...

They had Nate Sudfeld. Not really a dual threat, but the guy still holds a bunch of Indiana records.

Chowman said...

I think this is the result of the TP and bringing a bunch of players that haven't played with each other before. There's a chemistry that needs to develop in a basketball team. I think the idea in the TP era is to gel as a team as the season goes on. When you've played a significant amount of time with guys you know what they'll do in certain situations and where they will be on the court. Until the familiarization is achieved, you'll have some turnovers. The 2nd half adjustments are just that, the staff telling the players to take better care of the ball!

Chowman said...

Sherrone NEEDs to bring in an innovative play caller that runs an up tempo offense and has a history of QB development. Got new for some fans: if you think Michigan is going to just run the same offense they ran under Harbaugh, then at best you'll waste a Bryce Underwood's talent and at worst it'll be a failure. He's not a game manager.

Brady2017 said...

100%. Team just needs time to develop chemistry.

Chowman said...

WJ shut it down weeks ago. His career is over at Michigan. Its a business decision. If Michigan was playing for something more than a flea bag bowl, then he'd of probably would of pushed it and gotten back on the field. Now all he's doing is make sure he's ready for his pro day!

Brady2017 said...

Yes. Need an innovative O.C. The further Sherrone is from calling plays the better. Sherrone showed his hand in the Penn St. game last year what he likes to call and was very fortunate it worked. Cant do that year in, year out.

Chowman said...

Brady, I'll take it a step further and what fans won't want to hear, but if Moore doesn't find a more innovative OC, and bring back Kirk Campbell or think a Biff Poggi can be the OC, then get ready for Bryce Underwood to hit the portal after the season. This kid's not going to hang around to put up pedestrian numbers

Brady2017 said...

Absolutely. Just like when Jordan didn't like playing for Doig Collins, he hand picked Phil Jackson to build the offense around HIM. If Michigan doesn't build their offense around Bryce, I wouldn't blame the kid if he transfers.

Brady2017 said...

He ain't taking $12 million to hand off.

Brady2017 said...

5 star WR Derrek Meadows is getting crystal ball picks to flip to Michigan. He aint coming here to be a decoy.

Chowman said...

Yeah, I've heard some national pundits saying Michigan is going to rewrite the playbook. They might keep some of the current playbook for short yardage and goal line, but between the 20s they've gotta open up the offense.

Brady2017 said...

Offense should be loaded next year. Marshall, Ka'apana, and Dunlap at RB, Olson and Olesh at TE, and a shit ton of WRs, Morgan, Fredrick Moore, Tyler Morris, plus Meadows, Browder, and Washington coming in.

Brady2017 said...

I forgot Kendrick Bell

MichiganMan said...

Both you guys write too much here and answer each other‘s question…. I’m sitting in the airport heading out guys have a wonderful new year and be safe

Blue for life

Brady2017 said...

MichiganMan - then go fuckin read Better Homes and Gardens.

MichiganMan said...

Snottydog was right about what he lsaid about you. You should get lost and never return.

MichiganMan said...

Run Simba run Simba run!!!!! lol lol lmao

Brady2017 said...

Wtf is wrong with this guy? Do you have a traumatic brain injury or challenged some how? I'm not saying this to be funny. This guy ain't right upstairs.

Look Michigan man, no one likes you. I just saved your ass from getting gang banged the other day. Now I know why people think you're a fuckin retard.

Brady2017 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
szanreno said...

Better Homes and Gardens. That's rich. Hahaha You mean go upstairs and read Better Homes and Gardens.

szanreno said...

I have some food for thought. All the talk about the vanilla offense and the OC. Is it just possible they run what they practiced and has worked there. Your certainly not going to run plays in a game you haven't practiced or didn't work on or couldn't get right. Maybe they aren't capable of running reverses, fly routes, fumblerooskies, etc so we don't see them?!? Jmo...

ScottyDoggs said...

Brady and szanreno > you guy's are just applying the principle of "If you ask .... you shall receive!" Michigan pseudo-man has been begging for it and you gave it to him. What I do not understand is you guys have been laying off him and granting some status, then he turns around and starts to attack everybody (maybe he misses being picked on (like a booger that refuses to leave your nose ..... from now on Michigan man is the Snot from DUBAI!

Brady2017 said...

I didn't know that guy doesn't have a full deck

Brady2017 said...

Come Saturday, I'm gonna have a few cold ones and just hope for the best. After beer number 6 or 7, I won't feel the pain that much.

szanreno said...

I responded to Brady not numb nuts...