So… That Happened.
Are we going to recap it? No. I'm pretty sure Tim is methodically hammering nails into anything small and fluffy he can find. We're going to dig out something that hasn't been seen around these parts in a year or two. It is the Dead To Me board. It has two new additions, the second of which is relevant.
Well played, 2009-10. Well played.
Here's a kitten:
We'll see you next week. Jesus.
I hate spunk!
Actually, I love after the tragic omgwtf loss vitriolic anger all life is over and there is no meaning and nothing will satisfy but the only thing that can come close is someone's head on a platter fan rage.
Course, I love it when it's the other side.
badly for you.
Why? I’m as diehard a UM fan as you’ll find. I didn’t see anywhere when I signed up here that this site is only meant for fans willing to make positive comments amidst all of this misery. I’m fully behind RR and still strongly believe he’ll turn the football team around in a year or two, but I haven’t seen anything from Beilin that is impressive. RR outrecruited Tress this year amidst all his turmoil. But Beilin? The disparity between our program and MSU and OSU will only increase in the next few years with the stellar recruiting they are doing, and Beilin is failing to do.
If your concern is that negativity will lead to negatives results by potentially impacting recruit decisions, that makes sense when you still hold out a hope that this coach can turn a program around, but at this point, with the incoming recruiting disparity, and no evidence Beilin is going to rectify that disparity, it’s over baby, over, and may as well call a spade a spade.
REALLY? With 2.2 seconds left, BY FAR, the most dangerous play is a long pass into the frontcourt. He played it pretty damn well. And if you watch the replay, we DID have Stu on Turner in the backcourt; he got screened off of him.
You play the percentages. The percentage of a long pass to a guy into the frontcourt leading to a good shot with 2.2 left (Think Christian Laettner in 1992 Elite 8- there were 2.4 sec left) vs. the percentage of times they're going to make a running 42 foot shot with a guy running at the shooter. . .come on.
You have to think of what the alternative was. Double team Turner in the backcourt? Okay, sure. Then you leave 3 to guard the other 4, and no one guarding the other guy in the backcourt at. all. And, as has been mentioned, Turner was the worst 3p shooter on the floor for tOSU.
Ask yourself this: If someone had said, "would you take a running 42 footer from Turner with Stu waving a hand in his face" before the play started, what would you've said? I'd said, "yes, I'll fucking take it, and if he pulls that out of his ass and hits it, my hat's off to him."
Come on, people. Blaming "coaching" for Turner hitting an incredibly difficult shot is asinine. Especially when you look at all of the possible outcomes in that scenario: The main thing you've got to protect against is a pass into the frontcourt. We did that. Turner just made a career-highlight play.
This would all makes sense if Beilin actually evidenced any coaching there beyond "DON'T FOUL." I mean, UM only had ONE GUY in the back court!!! Beilin put four of our players like statues in the front court doing nothing but impeding an 80 foot throw. Instead of actually coaching, and factoring in that referees rarely, if ever call a non-shooting foul in a game deciding situation, our Master of X’s and O’s tells our guys in the huddle “Just don’t foul! Stand and do nothing in the front court and don’t foul!” BRILLIANT! He allows a smooth mid court pass, smooth and easy, unimpeded movement by their shooter, Turner no less, and BOOM. I mean, you have 5 guys covering 4. Even if Beilin just throws a second defender in the front court, at least he can avoid the backcourt pick Douglass ate, and he can mildly impede Turner, causing a 0.3 second hesitation that (a) disrupts Turner’s flow, and (b) negates any time for the shot. Even Turner himself indicts our coach.
Turner was “surprised that no one impeded his progress as he dribbled up the court. Honestly, I thought they were going to press or something like that. The whole game they were swarming me. They gave me one good look. Being open felt a little bit free. I felt like I was in the gym by myself.”
But yeah, rock on Beilin fans, rock on…
"Double team Turner in the backcourt? Okay, sure. Then you leave 3 to guard the other 4"
Actually it would be 3 guarding the other 3 as the guy taking it out of bounds was safely out of the equation. What we were left with was 4 guys not named Douglass guarding 2 OSU guys in the frontcourt. I generally agree with your points, just being nitpicky.
Turner was the worst outside shooter OSU had on the court. He made it anyway.
I agree with you on the poor coaching at the end of the game. There was more than one coach on the sideline with input on that final defensive set.
First why do we even have Douglas on the floor? He is the slowest defender out there and we have him on the point trying to defend against two players. I will take Morris anyday over Douglas to defend man to man in the open court. Stu gets picked and look where the other four UM players are, all behind the free throw line.
Why not at least have Morris and one other player defending the two OSU players in the back court? That leaves 3 to defend two OSU players left in the front court. Little chance you are going to connect on a long pass. Little chance you will be able to get the ball over the half court line either. Once you have dribbled the ball and have to pass, the game is over.
If it were me I would have had three UM guys in the front court with soft pressure allowing them to get the in bounds pass in and then double whoever got it forcing a pass or hail mary. You got two guys deep to defend the remaining two OSU players.
Worst case is that you foul and they make both FT and you go to OT. I will take those odds anyday, rather then letting any OSU player go uncontested and spot up for an open shot in the front court.
WVU have a baseball coach or hockey we could hire?? Let's really make this a clusterfck.
It's 1:30 in the afternoon CTA. I have three final exams to turn in by Tuesday and they are all in various states of nowhere near done. AND YET, the 16 oz cans of High Life and widely slanted games of XBox football are about to begin. Why? Because of 2009-10.
Keeping up with this via ESPN GameCast on the iPhone, I'm thinking the timeout is taking way too long. 66-66, 10 seconds left. Come on already!
Score changes. Two new plays. Manny hits 2, Turner 3.
Are you kidding me?
Sums the whole damn year up perfectly. Damn. Damn damn damn.
What's the better move regarding a friend who was stuck at work, is planning to watch the game on DVR later, and asked his friends not to say anything about the game - ruin the tape for him, or spare him the agony? Or maybe just tell him to watch the first (edit) 39:57.8?
Don't tell him anything... just let him suffer what we all suffered. It's important for the future.
Depends on how good of a friend he is. Myself, I wouldn't want to know, but then again, I'm into self mutilation.
I DVR'd the game, turned my phone off at noon. Just got done watching. Hope not too high, hopes up, hopes suddenly, painfully dashed. Brian nailed it with the "well played" comment.
To quote a Poison song (and a bunch of other stuff), "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."
just over a month away...
Soo...this isn't really working, is it? Maybe we should all just go for a walk for about 6 months.
Brian, you are the best, and the site is incredible, but (after I make a donation), I'm going to log off MGoBlog for a few weeks. In fact, I say we organize a fund drive so that Brian can take a nice long vacation after having to endure all of this.
Feel free to tell Tim if he is looking for more things small and fluffy to hammer nails into, my pride is readily available.
Our boys played the number 5 team in the country straight up. They've got nothing to hang their heads about, so why should we?!
may your probation period be violation-free
In my many years of being a Michigan fan, I've certainly endured my share of dong punches. This one ranks right up there. I may even cry this time. I asked my boss if I could run out and get a bottle of vodka. She said yes. I'm thinkin' I may just take her up on it.
My hate for OSU just grew exponentially.
You would think that I'd have developed a callus on my soul-dong after the last 2 years.
You would, of course, be wrong.
Owie.
Maybe NSFW. "Boobies and Kittens." Worked for me.
that helps
I'd absolutely KILL to be one of those kittens.
one of those bras
...that was nsfw, at least in my office in grand rapids.
but damn if it wasn't worth it. sheesh.
But your link was better. And not nearly as creepy.
is the only thing that will make me feel better. I want Ohio State to win the Big Ten Tournament and have a #1 seed in the dance. Then, just when their pride is swelling out of control, the Buckeyes get upset in the first round by Eastern Louisiana State, and we get to see Thad Matta's face explode like an overly microwaved, gum-chewing tomato . . . in HD.
I just want to know what I did. What ever it was I will attempt to build a time machine, go back and fix it. I swear I will.
period. No question. Michigan played its heart out and never really gave up all season long. And before anyone hates on Coach Beilein, let's remember what type of coaching got a Michigan team last season into the SECOND ROUND of the NCAA tournament when few could do that with a talent level where 2 former walk-ons see significant minutes. Coach B has gotten many different programs to play quality NCAA-tournament-eligible basketball; he clearly is a very good coach and just needs time to build depth in our program. Now let's review quickly this season that just ended today:
The leadership and experience of last season's fifth year seniors at the position (point guard) of per se leadership in basketball became that of a true freshman (Darius Morris) this season. This showed in growing pains that few expected after last season's unexpected run past Clemson and into Oklahoma. Unfortunately, with injuries, Michigan is in contrast still SIGNFICANTLY UNDERSIZED like it was last season (the redshirt big men need to heal up asap!). Nevertheless, THIS Michigan team had a low turnover rate and was constantly improving its man-to-man defense which all tells me the program is improving. It's building depth with quality fundamentals all around. Close losses to OSU, MSU, WI, and Indiana need to stop. Morgan, McLimans, and Vogrich need to develop however their coaches instruct them to to get on the floor. Morris is improving but needs to develop an outside shot, whereas Douglass needs to develop a credible drive move or two or three. Stu Douglas needs to figure out how to play loose like today while improving his driving WEAKNESSES so he can open up his looks at outside shots when he's not driving. Novak needs to keep improving so, when the team doesn't need him to play the 4 position, he'll be stronger for it. LLP needs to focus on some various moves to score so he can be a threat; this should be easier since he no longer has to attend point-guard camps this summer in case Morris doesn't work out. Harris did not have the season he probably expected, but he showed me something this game that I haven't seen from him in quite awhile: he played loose with moxie and poise when the game was on the line (against as talented a starting five as exists in 2010). He needs to figure out how to do that on a regular and consistent basis by returning for his senior year to prove it to himself. Now for those who don't return:
Anthony Wright, thanks for filling the holes where Coach B told you to. Zack Gibson, you gave quality minutes for much of your season; thanks. Deshawn Sims, thanks for helping resurrect the Michigan program, first under Amaker and now under Coach B. You've represented Michigan with class and effort and discipline notwithstanding the tragedy of you've experienced already in your young life.
In retrospect of this final loss, it's easy to criticize Coach B's last call defensively with 2.2 seconds. He went with the odds by having four guards guard the 3-point line and to only give up contested long three point shots. That's what happened and it took a 40 foot shot to lose. Perhaps he should have realized that the potential National Player of the Year can make such shots easier than most; what % that is I don't konw and I'll leave to a coach who watches players daily to determine. Maybe he should have had only 3 players defend the three point line and in with two players guarding the progression of the ball. One thing is for sure -- Coach B clearly had Michigan prepared for this tournament game. One questionable decision won't change the success he's already brought to Michigan and the depth he is building in the Michigan Program. Michigan showed itself it can play with the best teams even when it's undersized; it needs to keep getting better and healthier so that no more Michigan teams that could play well in the NCAA tournament fail to even qualify to participate in the tournament.
Well done this year, Michigan. I never really saw you quit (except for maybe the first WI loss and the last MSU loss). I appreciate your effort to restore the Michigan program. Savor this feeling of loss to OSU so you can enjoy life in Ann Arbor all summer long working on your individual, and team, games.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:32 PM ^
Youshould have just posted this on the diary section
I was at school in the library today looking at the gamecast on ESPN.com and I was sitting next to a Ohio State fan that was going crazy when the last update was Ohio State 69, Michigan 68. I was so mad but I didn't have anything to say I was so shocked. This game has described 2009-2010 for me, hope and then having it crushed. I'm still just stunned and in disbelief right now.
It's just that simple...
we had a countdown clock here . . .
and starting a bar fight... with the first person that brings this damn game up.
Valenti and Foster are ripping Beilein on 97.1 They are total douchebags. Valenti should coach the Lions, Wolverines, Spartans, and Red Wings - he's got all the fucking answers.
Asshat.
was the 1st dong punch today not enough?
When will this curse end?
may well ruin my favorite 4 weeks of the year. you can try all you want to rationalize it, but the next time i see thad matta do a fist pump after a totally undeserved win i just might kill him. or go to the local pet store and play with some small cats and dogs.
And Evan Turner is holding an alien in his hand and smiling at me.
I'm safe.
Wait. That's not an alien. That's my beating heart! Arrgggh! beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Don't let Spain off the hook. I just know they are somehow responsible. Note that everything went wonky right around 2008, when Spain suddenly shed its underachiever status in soccer and won a tournament. Maybe they are the yin to our yang?
If you're right, then my life is officially OVER!
Drink myself into a blackedout state and not come out of it until Sept 4th when UCONN comes to town.
This is just getting ridiculous. Bring on the Makers Mark please.....
See you in Sept!
Well, so what ET phoned home! I'm still a Wolverine. Things will be better tomorrow. Some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you. I just know that bears are scared of Wolverines, they don't want any part of them. Why? Because wolverines eats bear more than he eats the wolverine. Cycles baby, cycles! Michigan's time is coming again. Wolverines eat more often than they are eaten!
Immune to buckeyes!
I'm at least proud of the way the team competed in this game it would've been nice if they played like that all year...
One more year of experience and one or two guys taking it up a notch and the season is better. Miracle shot. Whatever, SD gets in his face .5 secs earlier and this never happens. Too soft on D? who knows ... it was a miracle shot.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:59 PM ^
Angry Michigan-Hating God, he of the scarlet hair and gray skin dressed casually in a green shirt and white shorts, must have slowly been consolidating his power these past few years.
I personally believe AMHG made his move on the day of The Horror. Evan Turner's miraculous 35-ft heave is just a sign of how crazy powerful he's become today. Glorious Michigan-Loving God's last hope is to breathe Charles Woodson's life into Justin Turner or sculpt mud into Chris Webber Jr.
Anyways, this is my first post as I've been a long-time lurker.
You can't risk fouling Turner, so you tell Big Stu to play off him a bit. Somebody should've been on the inbounds guy, but I'm not entirely sure given what happened it would've made a lick of difference. Everybody else is preventing the baseball pass and Laettner-esque turnaround J to force OT.
This game was Example A as to why Beilein is a good motivator at the very least. Down 10 with 10 min left, this team could've given up and called it a season. But they didn't.
He's bringing in 2 ESPN Top 100 guys next year with another possibly on the way which means he's not as awful a recruiter as people make him out to be. And he doesn't seem to be an Amaker-level Xs and Os coach. I'm more confident with Beilein than Rich Rod at this point.
Although a big guy contingent of...McLimans, Morgan, and Smorts scares the hell out of me. Zack Novak, how would you like to play the 4 for another year?
According to ESPN U; one is 80th and the other is 92nd. Why known in the top 50, or top 10? John Beilein is a safe coach. He will not put us on probation, but we will not recruit top level talent, every three to four years he will make the NCAA torunament. the other years will be NIT or nothing. He was WVU for five years two NCAAs, 2 NITs and 1 No Tournament. This idea that I keep hearing he needs more time. John Caliperi may win a national championship his first year. Michigan has never put any effort into the basketball program, it is always been a bastard step child to the football program. It is what it is.
...why not the top 10, or the top 5, or the number one? every year? i'll take multiple top 100 guys if it means we're not tearing down banners five years from now. like massachusetts has, like memphis has, and like kentucky will.
anyone who suggests that we should get someone like calipari is someone i'm embarassed to share fandom with.
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