Michigan vs. North Carolina Open Thread
December 21st, 2022 at 9:12 PM ^
Well Shit!
December 21st, 2022 at 9:13 PM ^
Poor defense, poor shooting, blah blah. But simple missed free throws were the difference in the game. You don't have to be a 5-star lottery pick to make free throws. Even middle schoolers do it.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:22 PM ^
They shot 71% from the FT line while UNC shot 55%. Yes they missed a couple FTs but this game was lost because Dickinson couldn't hold up on either end of the court and UNC were hitting well above their season average from 3 before missing a number of them late. And Michigan's defense struggled in defending PNR, which isn't really new given who's on the court.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:23 PM ^
We outshot NC tonight 71% to 55% from the free throw line, and made the same number of free throws in six fewer shots. Free throws is not where we lost this game.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:35 PM ^
People complained about FTs after the UK lost and that was another game where UM shot 65% from FT to UK's 50% and hit more FTs in 3 fewer shots. I get people are frustrated but a simple check of the box score tells a different story.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:13 PM ^
Carolina has five players tonight from the 2018,19 and 20 classes that were all top 70 players. It must be amazing to keep 4 and 5 star players for 3-5 years.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:14 PM ^
Howard needs to get his shit together, both as a coach and as a 50 year old adult who still throws tantrums and can’t keep his composure.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:16 PM ^
Did you see Hubert for about 3 straight minutes? Juwan’s coaching leaves a lot to be desired but behavior wasn’t his issue tonight.
December 21st, 2022 at 10:13 PM ^
Disagree. I think Juwan has real issues. Did you see when Kobe tried to calm him down and get him away from the ref? Juwan basically pushed Kobe away and said get the fuck off of me. Don’t want a coach acting like that toward his player. Kid has more sense than you do Juwan and he’s trying to get you out of the situation. I mean, at this point can it be far from anyone’s mind on that team that Juwan could physically go after a ref?
December 21st, 2022 at 11:50 PM ^
Juwan sometimes gives me that angry dad from the 70s and 80s vibe. Back when dad's could smack the shit out of you. Yup at times he look mad, angry and agitated.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:33 PM ^
On a day when Tom Izzo is dressed like an Elf and was so angry he got a technical it's weird to be pointing out another coach who "can't keep his composure".
I know Howard has a reputation around these parts for past transgressions but him getting animated on the sideline in a close game isn't atypical for a coach.
December 21st, 2022 at 10:34 PM ^
He was going after an official. One more major incident and he’s gone.
December 22nd, 2022 at 9:44 AM ^
So yeah, if Juwan Howard punches a referee then yeah he's gone. But I swear people act like other coaches don't get just as heated but because they aren't 6' 9" it's not treated the same.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:17 PM ^
HD is a huge liability. Not justly, not finishing and his defense is atrocious. Michigan basketball is no longer fun to watch.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:19 PM ^
He is Gheorghe Muresan slow.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:18 PM ^
Juwan is coaching this team like Calipari coaches Kentucky, but without the horses. Don't see much strategy or in-game adjustments. He promised to bring positionless basketball to Ann Arbor. Yet we are 1 of the only teams in the country with a true 1980s style center and 1 single point guard.hmm 🤔 . Yup not as easy as he thought.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:19 PM ^
Feels like this team is close, but they keep doing stupid shit to get in their way. Tonight it was Dickinson, so it’s hard to say this is a youth problem that will be fixed in time.
hard to picture this team making the tournament, unless they go on an absolute tear through the Big. Seems unlikely.
heres a hot take - is this team better with Brandon Johns instead of Terrence Williams? Just by the numbers this season, the answer is yes…
December 21st, 2022 at 9:22 PM ^
Imagine this team with Diabate playing the four. Part of the problem is Michigan can’t get enough 5 stars and when they do they can’t get them to stay like Carolina does.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:28 PM ^
Was just talking about this with a buddy tonight. Moussa and Caleb leaving early forced a lot of players into roles they are not ready for. T-Will is probably best as a bench spark plug(although I’m not down on him as some on this board) and Tarris Reed probably only plays a few minutes instead of the amount we play him now because we have no other big on the bench.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:36 PM ^
I think Jett fits the team better than Caleb does but man we really miss Diabate and his versatility bad. He would’ve been a mismatch for them tonight.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:24 PM ^
And yet most of the people on this board and blog ran BJ right out of here. I always liked Johns game and dedication to the program.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:29 PM ^
Yeah he wasn’t an All-American but him playing the 4 or even being a backup big would definitely be helpful this season.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:29 PM ^
I think people forget just how bad Johns was last year - it was probably more mental than anything else and a change of scenery helped but this was a guy who the coaches desperately wanted to step up and lead on both ends of the court but instead wouldn't shoot, made some boneheaded decisions in key moments, and struggled enough defensively that Williams was noticeably better.
I'm happy Johns is doing better at VCU but a lot of that success feels as much due to a step down in competition than some awakening of his game - he's still shooting 23% from 3 and turning the ball over on nearly 20% of his possessions.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:23 PM ^
All time +5 and over 155 covers. Love you Baker
December 21st, 2022 at 9:24 PM ^
We have lots of quality losses. Now we need some quality wins.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:38 PM ^
^^ this
December 22nd, 2022 at 12:03 AM ^
I bet we’re Nick Saban’s favorite basketball team with all these high quality losses. Should just slot us into the Final Four.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:35 PM ^
Michigan will close out the non conference against Central Michigan but they absolutely have to win the two conference home games against Maryland and Penn St and then try to steal one against State or Iowa on the road. gonna need to be at least 12-8 in conference and win a B10 tournament game or two to get in I believe.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:47 PM ^
Nope. The Big Ten is strong. As long as Michigan wins a signature game or two in conference (like Purdue at home) then they can go 10-10 adding the CMU game and they’ll get in as long as they win the first BTT game.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:37 PM ^
Through 1/3 of the Season Michigan's issues are obvious: 1.Soft defensively inside.T.Will.is not a legit Big 10 4 man.Should not be getting 29 minutes per game..2.Not enough ball handlers,that's on Juwan..3.Lack of shot creators and shot makers,Jett,Baker,Bufkin only shooters. ...Somehow they've managed to stay close to 3 good teams so there's hope.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:41 PM ^
I disagree with you on Kobe, he’s becoming an initiator. Baker has always been just a shooter. Jett still has ball control issues, he’s loose with the ball off the bounce. Dug can break a defense down with speed but struggles when he gets in the lane. Pick and roll with Hunter 22 feet from the basket is not working and Juwan keeps going to it in the second half of games
December 21st, 2022 at 9:53 PM ^
My thoughts on the UNC game:
1) HD is a marvelous college player. He will not be an NBA player. This game showed what happens when he goes up against a genuine NBA big man.
2) I like the trajectory of this team. The tough schedule they’ve played will help down the road. I see improvement from a lot of players. I think we are going to finish above .500 in the B1G, make the tourney and play into the second week.
3) Enough Roy Williams.
4) I read all this criticism of JH on mgoblog. I don’t agree. I think he’s doing a good job with this team.
5) It pisses me off we had to play in this game, which was basically a UNC home game, because we are tied into this stupid Jumpman deal. Plus, I hate Jordan! Lol.
6) Refs stunk and were pro-UNC.
December 21st, 2022 at 10:37 PM ^
You…..like the trajectory of this team? Based on what? Beating the worst team in the B1G and then edging by mighty Lipscomb before failing to unranked UNC?
December 21st, 2022 at 10:46 PM ^
Close losses: at home to UVA, neutral to UK, "road" to UNC. The worst loss was a blowout by ASU on a neutral court, but they are now ranked.
Other than an elite Purdue, the Big 10 is solid top to bottom. We have as much a chance to end up in the top 4-5 as we do in the bottom 4-5. B1G will get its usual 7-8 teams so it's about the 50/50 games in conference. Yep, have to steal a few road wins. Don't underestimate a team that seems to play better when up against the wall. We barely made the NCAA last year and then beat Tenn to reach the sweet 16.
The pressure is definitely NOT on us right now. Sure, I'd love to have Frankie right now, but some guys are looking for affirmation and love. Juwan brought in the Princeton transfer for competition. Sometimes you win with moves like this, sometimes you lose.
I do love how someone from ESPN has already written us off BEFORE tonight's close loss.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:57 PM ^
The referees certainly had a tough game, and at some key leverage points as well.
eg if they call the screen on Bacot no one of the 4Ts happen)
(They did not miss that call when TWill2 landed before throwing the ball in. Unfortunately they missed the exact same call right before that on the other end on the play where Black wrapped HD, tipped the ball away, and then landed OOB with the ball.)
December 21st, 2022 at 9:57 PM ^
I’d like to see Christian Anderson reclassify to the 2023 class. He has a legit outside shot and that is sorely needed at the point.
December 21st, 2022 at 10:10 PM ^
Juwan should accept his coaching deficiencies and bring in strong asst coaches like what Beilein did with Yaklick.
December 21st, 2022 at 11:51 PM ^
Arizona St losing 80-35 right now isn't helping the ol resume
December 22nd, 2022 at 8:13 AM ^
This team is a dissapointing Train Wreck they are weak soft not tough cant close out..Its going to be a long season filled with defeats
December 22nd, 2022 at 9:43 AM ^
I've watched a couple of games and this team just isn't good right now. They have time to fix but last night's game was a game they lost vs UNC winning.
They get lost on defense too easily; not sure if this is a communication issue or just not being aware.
Terrance Williams should never be allowed to shoot 3's. He needs to be the 2nd low post presence or at least play the High/Low game with Hunter.