Michigan 72, Penn State 69
Walton's play in transition late sparked M's comeback. [Marc-Gregor Campredon]
It wasn't impressive, or encouraging, or—at least for the first 30 minutes or so—fun, but Michigan pulled their proverbial asses out of the fire with a strong finish against Penn State, closing the game with a 30-15 run to erase a 14-point deficit and steal much-needed conference win.
"Their seniors made plays at the end," said PSU coach Pat Chambers.
"They got the stops when they needed," he added. "That's what senior-led teams do."
"Our seniors, who were not on their 'A' game, were nothing short of spectacular in the last four minutes," John Beilein concurred.
You, Michigan fan, may have cocked an eyebrow at those statements. For tonight, at least, they held true. While they struggled for most of the game, Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton both came up big down the stretch. Walton nailed a three to pull Michigan within one, then fed DJ Wilson on a fast break for the go-ahead alley-oop. When PSU's Lamar Stevens grabbed the lead back with a jumper, Irvin answered with his pet midrange shot. Walton extended the lead at the free-throw line, Irvin drilled a tough stepback shot, and the two combined to ice the game at the line, going 6/6 in the waning moments to fend off PSU's comeback effort.
The game proved frustrating at times for both coaches. [Marc-Gregor Campredon] |
The Wolverines didn't open the game nearly as well as they closed it, of course. This was a boring slog for a half-hour of game time. Penn State got into the paint time and again, while Michigan couldn't do the same or hit their outside shots, going 1-for-9 from three-point range in the first half.
"They drove us wherever they wanted to in the first half," said John Beilein. "And we let them."
The second stanza began much the same way; PSU's first two buckets came in the paint before three straight triples extended the lead to 14. The turning point, according to Beilein, came during an emotional huddle at the under-12 media timeout.
"I didn't have to say anything," Beilein said. "It was all, the circle that I was in, they were all extremely charged up and upset at each other. And I'm not meaning pointing fingers [at each other], they were very encouraging, and very strong words that, no, we're not losing this game. We're not starting off in the league 0 and 2. We're going to make this happen."
Duncan Robinson entered the game shortly after that timeout and proceeded to account for a five-point run of his own with two shots to cut the deficit to eight. The Wolverines steadily chipped away at the lead from there, benefiting from some PSU turnovers to get out in transition for easy points. Then the seniors closed it out.
The season can take two forms from here. Michigan can carry the emotion from that huddle over to the rest of the Big Ten schedule and fight their way into the tournament, or they can play the listless brand of basketball we saw for much of this game and settle for an NIT bid. Only time will tell.
January 4th, 2017 at 11:42 PM ^
Just got back. It is amazing how the fans at Crisler can suddenly get really loud after generating almost no noise for long stretches. Atmosphere was great down the stretch.
This may end up being a critical win, simply because it was a loss avoided. It was looking like a résumé-killing loss for awhile there.
January 5th, 2017 at 1:07 PM ^
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January 5th, 2017 at 1:41 PM ^
is more difficult per Kenpom's chances of winning - even at Rutgers. And that's the point. Losing this would have been another huge blow to the resume with more difficult games ahead.
If your point is that squeaking out this one isn't going to do anything because we're likely to lose the rest of our games or a majority of them because they're all more difficult, then sure, that's possible, but we played poorly in this game in a way that is more fluky than the norm. We only shot 28% from three, well below our season average. We rebounded much worse than our season avgs. Those are probably just bad bounces.
It's good to win a game in which the bounces don't go your way, and this seemed like one of them. Fight to live another day (and hope the guards start playing better - that is a concerning trend).
January 5th, 2017 at 1:44 PM ^
The point isn't that beating PSU is a huge positive for our tourney profile, but that losing to them would have been an absolutely killer negative. We managed to avoid that.
January 4th, 2017 at 11:45 PM ^
PSU must lose in everything it is their destiny
January 4th, 2017 at 11:53 PM ^
Penn State fans should handle that loss well. After all, they had practice watching their team give up a 14pt lead in the last 12 minutes of a game...
January 5th, 2017 at 12:45 AM ^
slowclap.gif
January 5th, 2017 at 2:02 AM ^
Should have known Penn State wouldn't protect that fourth quarter lead since it was only 14
— Eric (@ericmichel) January 3, 2017
January 5th, 2017 at 12:00 AM ^
Xavier passes like Spike. Worst: Xavier does not shoot like Spike. Blatant plagiarism aside, what I would really like to see is Wagner catching the ball in the high post with DJ in the low post/ short corner with shooters spacing the floor. Obviously that's not typical Beilein offense, but it would be nice if he could adapt.
January 5th, 2017 at 12:04 AM ^
There's a lot of ways to do what you state as your desired outcome. In fact, they did some if that today, except instead of "high-low" it was one of the bigs (I forgot which, let's say Wilson) looking for the entry into the post to Wagner from the corner. Same result, except your open shooters when help comes are the opposite corner and top of the key. The nice thing about the way Beilein did it tonight was that the big guarding Wilson was drawn away from the paint and couldn't really help.
January 5th, 2017 at 1:03 AM ^
They did that a time or two but I want it to be the first option, because IMO its the best option.
January 5th, 2017 at 12:09 PM ^
You gleaned this off of 2 shots? He went 1-2 from the floor and missed one free throw.
January 5th, 2017 at 1:43 PM ^
30% from the floor on the season. Still a very small sample size, but more than 2 shots.
January 5th, 2017 at 12:01 AM ^
Under-rated aspect of this team right now: Derrick Walton's defensive efforts. He's been great. A lot of attention paid to his transition game and 3s at the end, but it was on the defensive side of the court that the run got started.
Also, Maize Rage.... Come on. So quiet until the 11-0 run. Seriously, people, get loud!
I suspect Saturday will be a fun game and probably a near-sell out.
January 5th, 2017 at 10:01 AM ^
Completely agree on his defensive effort, and the team as a whole. I can't remember the last time a Michigan team consistently got out into passing lanes as much as I saw from them in the last 10 minutes of the game last night. Nice sight to see.
January 5th, 2017 at 1:52 PM ^
but I thought that Wilson and Wagner were the biggest reason for that.
I noticed Wilson a couple of times, rotating over to cover the lane when Wagner stepped out and then he quickly switched back to his own man to keep him from getting into the paint.
I would like to see our bigs get more aggressive defending the paint and challenging shots. I think that Wilson, Wagner, Donnal had a combined 4 fouls. Not that I want to see them foul a lot, but with their size we should be trying to make it a little harder to score inside.
January 5th, 2017 at 12:07 AM ^
January 5th, 2017 at 2:53 AM ^
fairly talented as they start four 4-stars each (all top 150 players). PSU had a nice 2016 class and I bet they get a lot better as the year goes on.
Our upperclassmen continue to somehow seemingly get worse as time goes on. At least they put it together in the final few minutes to salvage a home win that they had to have.
January 5th, 2017 at 4:36 AM ^
January 5th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
Penn State was a lot better than I thought. They might make a little noise in the conference if they can play that well this year.
January 5th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^
Michigan should be better then Penn State in basketball, the fact that this is apparently debatable blows my mind.
January 5th, 2017 at 12:10 PM ^
They were and they are. I'm saying Penn State may be better than they traditionally are. It's not the end of the world to have a close game against an up-and-coming team. Even the best teams in college hoops are tested from time to time and have close games against inferior teams. I'm glad Michigan was able to pull it together and will themselves to a win.
January 6th, 2017 at 8:09 PM ^
I'd say it's pretty bad when we get out-athleted and out-shot by a much younger team from PSU of all shitty places.
January 5th, 2017 at 5:56 AM ^
Michigan might just have avoided a home loss that would kill its chances to get into the big dance. PSU lost to George Mason and Albany ffs
January 5th, 2017 at 5:57 AM ^
Is a win at this stage. Happy they pulled it out. 'Nuff said.
GO BLUE!!
January 5th, 2017 at 7:30 AM ^
sigh.
January 5th, 2017 at 8:44 AM ^
For the first time in quite a while, we have a couple bigs who can score down low, we have always had outside shooters.
Hopefully we'll see them gel and start playing an inside out game, there are enough pieces in place, I think.
January 5th, 2017 at 10:37 AM ^
Don't count on it with JB.
Wagner in the 2nd half got the ball isolated on the block with his back to the basket and absolutely abused his man.
JB didn't go back to it once. Incompetent.
January 5th, 2017 at 4:40 PM ^
January 5th, 2017 at 8:09 PM ^
He never once got blocked isolated with his back to the basket.
He got blocked from help side coming over when he received the ball on cuts to the basket. There's a big difference.
I dare help side to come over and try to block Wagner's shot when he's posting up. Open 3 balls for days which is why I'd love to see a low post option utilized.
January 5th, 2017 at 9:14 AM ^
ace, what would it take for you to think beilein is and/or should be on the hot seat?
January 5th, 2017 at 9:34 AM ^
January 5th, 2017 at 1:02 PM ^
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January 5th, 2017 at 1:47 PM ^
was a big part of the first two years mediocrity, but yes, when you do what he did the three years before that (Big title or final four in each season), it buys you that much time.
January 5th, 2017 at 9:56 PM ^
last year didn't prevent IU from winning the Big Ten in the regular season.
January 5th, 2017 at 10:11 AM ^
"they were all extremely charged up and upset at each other. And I'm not meaning pointing fingers [at each other], they were very encouraging, and very strong words that, no, we're not losing this game. We're not starting off in the league 0 and 2. We're going to make this happen."
January 5th, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^
I agree.... .Mo looked like Big Mitch out there.....
January 5th, 2017 at 1:41 PM ^
but Mark Donnal looks to me like he's never set foot in the weight room. He's got the upper body and muscular definition of a very large middle-schooler.
Considering he's a senior who's been in a pretty prominent program for four years I'm sure this isn't the case—quite the opposite—but I think it's sort of odd.
January 5th, 2017 at 1:56 PM ^
Bill Laimbeer looked like he just rolled off the couch, in terms of muscle definition. He also couldn't jump over a large phone book. Still, he could rebound & scrap with the best of them.
What's most surprising about Donnal is he has never displayed, in a big way in games, the outside shooting that everyone raved about during his practice years. You definitely don't muscle definition for that.
Donnal is who he is. He still has value, as a reserve, to this year's team and I just hope he make some more key contributions to a tourney team. He showed last year that he can hae some big games, when it counts.
JB has already correctly made the decision that this is Donnal's last year at U of M, and let's hope Teske (who's not exactly a muscle-bound strongman himself) and others can provide a bigger contribution next year.
January 5th, 2017 at 2:12 PM ^
Yes he has moments when he comes up with a rebound or knocks down a jumper, and hate to bash on him because I'm sure he's giving it his all but he's just so unbelievably limited athletically. I think the staff missed the boat a little bit when initially evaluating him out of high school, which happens I get it. The other thing that strikes me about him and quite a few others on the team is they often times don't seem very passionate on the court. Like last night for example- Donnal grabbed a rebound and put it back up for an and one and what does he do, just turns around with a straight face, someone gave him a high five and walks to the stripe. It's like man get excited, get jacked up, you just made a big play! Other than Irvin, Wagner, and sometimes Wilson the rest of the team just seems so mundane. I know Beilein is pretty reserved so maybe that's where it stems from. Just wish the team as a whole would play with a little more toughness, swagger, passion, pride, or whatever you wanna call it. That gets the crowd into it, your teammates, and can have an effect on your opponent.
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January 5th, 2017 at 1:59 PM ^
January 5th, 2017 at 2:19 PM ^
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January 5th, 2017 at 3:52 PM ^
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January 5th, 2017 at 3:20 PM ^
Zak Irvin has to be the most frustrating and inconsistant player Michigan has used in many years. In one or two carrer games he sinks a big shot but most of the time he can't be trusted to handle the ball towards the end of a game. He throws bad passes, tosses up bricks near the rim, has been know to miss important free throws (missed two before making two last night) and throws up untimely threes. His only conistant shot is dribbling pulling up near the foul line.
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