Arizona 80, Michigan 53
In the face. (GIF via Vice Sports.)
For a reeling, young, undersized Michigan squad, Arizona represented one of the worst possible matchups.
It showed.
The Wolverines fell in a laugher, unable to deal with the Wildcats' imposing combination of size, skill, and athleticism. Michigan's inability to generate shots inside the arc or hit them from beyond it led to an early deficit that only grew as Kameron Chatman and then Zak Irvin found themselves in foul trouble.
At one point in the first half, John Beilein threw out a lineup of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Caris LeVert, Aubrey Dawkins, Max Bielfeldt, and Mark Donnal; Beilein subsequently relented on his usually rigid foul policy and reinserted Irvin late in the half despite his two fouls.
The situation only got more dire in the second stanza, as M failed to score a point until the 14:55 mark; the Arizona faithful stood until that moment, displaying impressive adherence to tradition. The Wolverines remained unable to get into the paint, get out on the break, grab offensive rebounds, or defend the interior; adding to the blowout, Arizona got numerous second-chance buckets after failing to record an offensive rebound in the first half—not as much of a surprise as it may seem, as they only missed nine shots in that span.
The individual issues are barely worth noting; such is the nature of a bloodbath. Zak Irvin's shooting woes continued, and a mental lapse of some sort earned him a benching from Beilein mere moments into the second half. Caris LeVert, repeatedly denied even a sniff of the rim, couldn't carry the offense as he has in the past. The bigs were helpless against Arizona's impressive front line of Brandon Ashley, Stanley Johnson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Kaleb Tarczewski.
Without context, this game may not be cause for sounding the alarm; after all, this was an extremely tough matchup—especially for a young Michigan front—against a very good team in the first true road game of the season. Coming off back-to-back upset losses at home, however, it's time to acknowledge the possibility that the Wolverines will have to claw their way into the NCAA tournament picture, even with Beilein on the bench. This team is better than it looked today, but it's also got a long way to go.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:21 PM ^
It wasn't as close as the score.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:23 PM ^
MBB is not providing the diversion I need waiting on a football coach. Hopefully JB can circle the wagons before conference play.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^
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December 13th, 2014 at 7:40 PM ^
And which was the douche?
December 13th, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 7:44 PM ^
December 14th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^
he has no points left.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:57 PM ^
lol at first I was really surprised. What!? Michigan is honoring RR? What'd they do? Give him his Gator Bowl ring? Oh, right...
December 13th, 2014 at 11:39 PM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^
Well, at least it looks like no one from this team is leaving early from the NBA, right? I believe Bielfeldt is our lone senior. We should be much better next year. At this point, I'm just hoping they make the tourney.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:26 PM ^
These are my thoughts as well. LeVert and Irvin are not Stauskas/GRIII. We've been spoiled the last three years.
December 13th, 2014 at 8:14 PM ^
Let's not rewrite history too much. GRIII disappeared in a lot of games for us.
The issue isn't so much LeVert/Irvin not replacing Stauskas/GRIII as that no one new is filling in the roles that LeVert/Irvin played last year.
December 13th, 2014 at 11:08 PM ^
Well, that's a problem too, but our lack of solid play in the post is by far hurting us more than our guard depth. The problem is no one is filling the role of Morgan, or even Horford.
December 13th, 2014 at 8:15 PM ^
I am not going to worry yet. This team is going to have to grow and find its identity. Almost everyone on the team has new responsibilities. It is going to take longer than we like, but I still think they will be fine by February.
The "silver lining" here is that JB has plenty of coachable moments from the last three games. I think this team's learning curve is about to accelerate. The obvious sticking point is that if they don't take a few steps soon, they are going to dig an almost impossible hole for the NCAA Tournament.
I still think they are going to make it.
December 14th, 2014 at 5:21 AM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^
Puppies... I NEED PUPPIES
December 13th, 2014 at 9:41 PM ^
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December 13th, 2014 at 7:25 PM ^
I still think we can make it to the tournament. It'll be tough but I see us winning a big game or two on the road in B1G because of hot shooting. When you have no inside presence, live by the 3, die by the 3. We'll have a couple of games where we are just lights out.
And btw, I'm all for Doyle starting over Donnal.
December 13th, 2014 at 10:22 PM ^
I'm all for starting Dawkins over both of them. Neither center is a useful part of the offense at this point.
Let Chatman run the pick and roll. At least he'll attempt a shot from 3, unlike either center. Wasn't Donnal supposed to the first stretch 5 at Michigan?
December 14th, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^
stretch 4?
December 13th, 2014 at 7:25 PM ^
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December 13th, 2014 at 7:28 PM ^
Can't wait for the new year.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:29 PM ^
Everything since March 30th has been a shit storm... It feels like a fucking curse
December 13th, 2014 at 7:27 PM ^
To be honest I did not watch the game. I am now glad I didn't. From watching our previous game, I would say we lack a presence in the paint which gives teams the ability to exploit us in the paint on both sides of the court. We could really use Mitch McGary right now. I would say Belien needs to pick up a big guy this year. I wouldn't mind taking a transfer or a lesser 3 star recruit but we need to gain size in the paint. I can understand that our freshman lack the scheme knowledge that leaves openings for teams to exploit, but it can't be all on just the scheme's difficulty to learn.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:37 PM ^
but I have confidence in Beilein's ability to develop this team. Frankly, I didn't expect that much out of the last group of studs before they went on to the tournament, final, etc., so I am optimistic about his ability to build again.
December 14th, 2014 at 5:24 AM ^
December 14th, 2014 at 3:27 PM ^
You may be right about that.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:32 PM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 7:37 PM ^
shooting Ninja's when we need size and strength in the backcourt? The announcers and ESPN comments after the game were truly offensive. Though young and small they deserve better.
If they do make the tournament it will be one and done.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:38 PM ^
Beilein needs to recruit better players. You can't replace first-round picks with unranked three-star freshmen and expect to be competitive.
Four members of our six-man class this year were nationally unranked. That isn't good enough here.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^
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December 13th, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^
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December 13th, 2014 at 7:41 PM ^
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December 13th, 2014 at 7:43 PM ^
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December 13th, 2014 at 7:46 PM ^
Michigan lost a lot to the NBA recently. Arizona is a good team, but it doesn't matter because Kentucky is winning it all.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:49 PM ^
For a team that is guaranteed to win it all every year, they sure don't win it all very much.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:58 PM ^
Kentucky's bench warmers would still be ranked in the top 10 this year. It's a totally different story. Only Duke might stand a chance.
December 14th, 2014 at 2:47 AM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 8:01 PM ^
Disappointed. Not that we lost but I felt like that team gave up in the 2nd half. That's unacceptable.
Team just settles way too much for the outside J. Lack of elite athletes inside shows badly in games like this.
The defense was pathetic. Arizona drove inside at will. I know John wants a great shooter at every position but the 5 should be an elite athlete who can jump out of the gym and cause issues for other teams when we are on defense. With the rest of the team playing matador defense this has been a problem for years when Mitch or Morgan (last year only) were not in the game. Go get one of those 6'10 guys who are 235 lbs and is not a great shooter to at least plug that hole 15 minutes a game. Our whole offense is either dribble drives (rarely) or 3 pt shooting so no need for a 5 who can shoot.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:55 PM ^
When does basketball season start?
December 13th, 2014 at 7:56 PM ^
This is an NIT team at best. And its not going to get better anytime soon. This team needs more size. Beilien got caught flat footed when McGary was suspended and Horford decided to leave so he could launch 3 pointers for Florida. The lack of an inside presence is killing this team. Doyle is a year away at least from being able to hold his own inside against real competition. Donnell probably never will.
You can only find so many 3 star diamonds in the rough. I would he have rather saved those scholarships that he used at the last minute to recruit some size next year.
Please, for the love of God, recruit someone taller than 6'9" next year. Michigan will not contend for national titles without one.
December 13th, 2014 at 7:59 PM ^
This I don't get why so many fliers were taken on under the radar talents. They're under the radar for a reason. You're gonna get 100 times more flops than you will Trey Burkes.
December 13th, 2014 at 8:24 PM ^
Beilien fell in love with under the radar talents because so many panned out over the last couple of years. Normally, they become useful in year three in a program, if ever. That's why they are under the radar talents.
If any coach can take this mess and make it a real team its Beilien. But please, if you are going to take fliers on unknown 3 stars, at least let them be 6'11".
December 13th, 2014 at 10:30 PM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 11:08 PM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 8:21 PM ^
We have some tall guys. The thing is, they take time to develop. The problem was the unexpected departure of Horford. He wasn't a star but could have given us quality minutes at the 5 and allowed Doyle to slowly grow into the position. Instead we have to rush him in right now.
As for this being "an NIT team at best," let's just wait and see. Beilein's teams consistently improve as the year goes on.
December 13th, 2014 at 8:26 PM ^
I will be thrilled to be proven wrong.
December 13th, 2014 at 11:15 PM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 7:56 PM ^
December 13th, 2014 at 8:03 PM ^
I miss the pick and roll. Apparently its been eradicated this year.
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