UCF 85, Michigan 71
Michigan Basketball's slide off the bubble and into the tournament danger zone continued in the final game of 2021. In need of simply a single decent non-conference win to pad the resume, the Wolverines could not get it amid a spectacular second-half collapse fueled by offensive droughts and memorable shooting dominance from the Golden Knights' Darin Green Jr. and Brandon Mahan. After leading 35-31 at halftime— and 49-37 with 16 minutes to go— Michigan lost 85-71 to UCF. At 7-5 and with no real quality wins to speak of heading into the meat of conference play, Michigan Basketball is in trouble.
The first half went alright for the Wolverines. DeVante' Jones scored 7 points on 3/5 shooting and snagged five boards, also helping Michigan break UCF's occasional full-court press. Hunter Dickinson and Moussa Diabate both had their struggles around the basket due to Pitt big man Cheikh Mbacke Diong, but Eli Brooks added a couple early buckets that bolstered Michigan's offense. On the UCF side, the first twenty minutes were all about Darin Green Jr., who went 6/8 from the field (including 4/6 from three), carrying an otherwise very poor offense forward. After a dunk at the buzzer was waived off, Michigan took a 35-31 lead into the break and felt okay.
That feeling got even better after a strong start to the second half. Michigan embarked on a 9-1 run in the first 2:21 of the second half, including a Devante' Jones three pointer, Diabate going 2/2 from the line, a beautiful drive and pass from Eli Brooks to set up a Hunter Dickinson jam, and then a Jones steal on the ensuing in-bounds pass leading to an Eli bucket. Michigan led 44-32 and forced UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins to call timeout. Another minute+ bled off the clock and the margin stayed consistent, with Michigan up by that 49-37 edge I mentioned in the first paragraph. That's when things went off the rails.
At least Devante' Jones wasn't bad on offense! [Campredon]
Despite a middling first half, Brandon Mahan started to turn it on, nailing back-to-back threes and scoring eight straight UCF points. After he got a little help from Darin Green Jr., Michigan was really in trouble. Over the span of just 4:15 of game time, the Golden Knights embarked on an 18-2 run (!!!!). 14 of the 18 points were from Mahan and Green Jr. Michigan's offense ran dry over that stretch and those two scorers made tough shots off the dribble, even when Michigan was able to track them off switches (wasn't always the case). The home UCF crowd may not have been plentiful, but they got loud in this stretch of the game and the Wolverines appeared rattled.
An Eli Brooks jumper trimmed the score to 57-56 but Mahan knocked down another three and a crucial swing moment occurred: Terrance Williams II dribbled down the court and went up for a layup against a UCF defender who appeared to have his foot on the restricted circle. The collision was ruled an offensive foul and with the emotions flowing, Juwan Howard was whistled for a technical foul. Mahan made both free throws and Michigan trailed by six.
Kobe Bufkin was a pleasant sign on offense [Campredon]
Still, the Maize & Blue fought back to within one score with over seven minutes to play. That's when the offense stalled as several floaters and tip-ins from seemingly every player glanced off the rim and out. Michigan scored one point over a four minute stretch, during which UCF stretched the lead to nine. By the time Michigan finally made a FG, there were just over three minutes to play.
UCF's offense couldn't be stopped in part because Mahan and Green Jr. couldn't miss. Some of that was Michigan leaving those players open on occasion, but again, even when covered, they were dead-on. The second half box score is staggering. UCF shot 72% from the field and went 8/8 on threes. Mahan and Green Jr. combined for 11/12 from the field and accounted for all eight three pointers, summing for 33 points. UCF also went to the line 13 times and made 10 of them, hanging 54 on Michigan in the second half. Even in the waning moments when Kobe Bufkin and Eli Brooks added late threes, the UCF sharpshooters answered every time. The margin didn't budge and then UCF added a few free throws to win by 14.
In total, Michigan shot 40% from both the field and three, actually knocking down shots from distance but not effective enough inside, and when you're up against shooters converting at the clip that UCF's did, it was going to take a lot more. Eli Brooks led the way with 18 points for the Wolverines. Michigan is now 7-5 and reeling yet again, with the B1G schedule about to really hit full swing. The team will be in Piscataway, NJ, to take on Rutgers on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM EST.
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December 30th, 2021 at 9:56 PM ^
Defensively, this team right now is a hot bag of Haggis.
December 31st, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
Other than a couple breakdowns late when it seemed like they were demoralized, I didn't think it was horrible last night. Those were some tough shots they were hitting and 8/8 from three in a half is just insanely unlucky. Add to that a Juwan T, a weird turnover on an inbound in which we just gave them the ball, and a late clock block that led to another fast break layup, the defense wasn't as bad as a 54-point half would suggest.
That said, the team looks a bit disorganized on both ends of the floor. It's obvious we're starting two true freshmen.
December 30th, 2021 at 9:57 PM ^
Not a lot of fun to watch.
Here's hoping things start to turn around.
December 31st, 2021 at 2:04 AM ^
That sums it up. We've seen lots of sub-par talent teams that were still very fun to watch even when they didn't win much. Hell I even look back fondly seeing what Manny Harris might be able to do on any given night... But this team is just not fun to watch at all. As someone who gets overly invested, it's hard to invest.
Talent aside, it has a pick-up game type feel. Just doesn't seem like these guys have played much ball together but we're a good chunk of the way through the season already.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:01 PM ^
This team suuuuuucks.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:02 PM ^
Good, this means the football team still has all of the good juju. Basketball can have it back on January 11
December 30th, 2021 at 10:30 PM ^
Midday January 11th* That Final is going past midnight.
December 31st, 2021 at 12:15 AM ^
It's way too fucking late.
Somehow we will be swept by msu.
You know that seemingly impossible task last year against their garbage team.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:03 PM ^
They just look like a NIT team.
Disappointing.
December 31st, 2021 at 8:18 AM ^
If they don’t play much better than this, the NIT isn’t a given.
Michigan will finish in the bottom tier of the conference. First to worst is a possibility.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:03 PM ^
NIT. Honeymoon is over for juwan. I’d be shocked if we win more than one of next four. Just looking for smart coaching and development rest of way
3-4 rotation is off.
choose between BJ and TWill and no more t will at 3
play Kobe and Zeb at 3 more even if Caleb has to come out or slide to the four
December 30th, 2021 at 10:06 PM ^
Reminds me of Beilein’s 2011 year. Maybe Juwan got complacent with all the early success.
One thing for sure is that Houstan needs his minutes reduced, and Kobe needs to play more.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:49 PM ^
Maybe Juwan got complacent with all the early success.
I think what he got could better be described as “underclassmen.” We have one good upperclassman and no true backup center. Juwan’s a good coach but these guys will take time to be a good team. Unfortunately, they may not stick around long enough for us to see it.
December 31st, 2021 at 7:02 PM ^
2011 was the Aneurysm of Leadership team with very little talent that had a midseason turnaround. Do you mean that year or 2010? I assume 2010 since that was a year with relatively high expectations after a nice 2009 season with most players returning, but that flopped to a losing record 14-17?
I can see the comparisons there for sure.
It also reminds me of early 2016.
A team that had good talent and experience and was expected to be quite good (especially after their preseason NIT win) that then went through a rough patch of seemingly lackadaisical play, bad defense, disorganization that hit rock bottom when a loss to a mediocre OSU team at home to go to 11-9.
We'll see if it finishes as poorly as it started like 2010 or if they turn it around like 2016.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:08 PM ^
Honeymoon is over for juwan.
The man just won a million COY awards last year.
I get that some people are dying right now because they can't criticize Harbaugh, but chill. This team is super young and probably a year away.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:25 PM ^
NIT with the talent on the roster and the rotations, lineups and mistakes being made are indicative of poor coaching. Of course he has room. Just means first year he was a tourney team, last year a great team. This year a bad team. He no longer just gets benefit of doubt when simple coaching issues are showing up
December 30th, 2021 at 11:04 PM ^
Honestly, I’m not sure what rotations you want to see him make. I think Juwan made one major mistake and we’re paying the price for it now: he thought Diabate was a center. That mistake has thrown our whole roster out of whack and I don’t know if there’s a rotation that can compensate for it.
Beilein had some rough years with young guys when everyone was calling for his head, too, but in retrospect I don’t think anyone would dare criticize Beilein’s coaching. Recruiting and developing a college basketball roster is hard. If you think you can develop a guy like Johns or Diabate into a functional center and they turn out to only be PFs, you might have a rough season (especially if you don’t have strong guard/sf play).
This team is not good defensively or offensively, but so far our young guys have improved. That’s indicative of good coaching, even if it’s not at the pace we need to make a strong tourny run this year.
December 31st, 2021 at 9:22 AM ^
Fire Howard!
There! Do you feel better now? You are probably feeling withdrawal symptoms since you can’t complain about Harbaugh right now.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:06 PM ^
Season should just be about figuring out what they have with the young guys. They just don't seem to have that next gear defensively and I don't think they'll find it soon enough.
December 31st, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^
They're already doing that. Houstan and Diabate start and Houstan is playing way more minutes than we'd like. Bufkin was in the doghouse and we might see him take some minutes from Houstan but that's just moving deck chairs on the titanic.
You're right about the defense though. Dickinson is a terrible defender and he's getting exposed without the elite wing defenders he had around him last year (Wagner, Livers, Brown, etc.).
Starting two true freshmen means they aren't nailing their rotations either.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:10 PM ^
What a weird year. Expected the football team to be sort of mediocre, and it turned out great. Expected the basketball to be really good, and it is turning out to be pretty mediocre.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:37 PM ^
Mediocre is kind. This looks like a bottom tier conference team. Juwan has certainly earned a rebuild year, but I’m concerned about some aspects that appear more long term.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:15 PM ^
You could chalk it up to a couple of guys just getting crazy hot...but then again, someone seems to have a career game against us every game, so...maybe our defense just isn't all that good?
December 30th, 2021 at 10:44 PM ^
Boy, we're struggling. This team just has no cohesion, no chemistry.
And you will never convince me that "alright" is a word. You can do better, Alex. This was a pretty pedestrian effort overall, kind of like the hoops team tonight.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:39 PM ^
I’m sorry for whatever is going on in your life that you feel the need to put down a person for no reason.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:44 PM ^
I like Alex and think he has been a good addition to this blog. I didn't think this column was his best effort.
December 31st, 2021 at 1:01 AM ^
They’ll give you your money back don’t wo….. wait you didn’t pay anything.
December 31st, 2021 at 8:25 AM ^
Alex is being meta.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:51 PM ^
This is simply not a good basketball team. Not right now.
December 30th, 2021 at 10:52 PM ^
I’m gonna trust Howard, he’s a good coach who I believe will pull the team together by the time the tournament begins. I’m optimistic.
Go Blue!
December 30th, 2021 at 10:53 PM ^
Stop playing please let Zeb, Frankie and Kobe play. Houstan is awful, he is not athletic enough to play the 3 and hes not strong enough to play the 4.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:35 PM ^
Where in the world did Houston get labeled a one and done…..and that was if he decided to play one year. It may be unfair to him but not even close.
He clearly has skills but if I’m him I’m learning very quickly my way to the NBA is working every day to get stronger and faster. Every day.
He is young and could be great but not without faster feet and body strength.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:09 PM ^
I told you this team is a shitshow.
Brandon Johns is a total bust.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:28 PM ^
We play weak defense and you will need never be good with weak defense.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:31 PM ^
Why the fuck is Zeb not playing? Frankie got 6 minutes! Next year won’t be any better at this point because the ones who need to play more aren’t playing. You’ll lose Dickinson, whether he goes to the NBA or not. We have no proven inside presence for next year. Our point guards of the future aren’t playing either. This season doesn’t look promising and next year has some serious holes.
December 30th, 2021 at 11:37 PM ^
Wow, if you asked most fans which team - FB or BB, would be ranked 2nd and in the final four and which would be 7-5, well you would have gotten the opposite answers. BB still has time to turn it around, but it will not be easy.
December 31st, 2021 at 12:18 AM ^
Howard will be fired in three years after the blowout losses to msu start to pile up.
December 31st, 2021 at 2:22 AM ^
Settle the fuck down. Harbaugh shit down his leg all last season and now is on the precipice one of the best seasons in 40 years. Bad seasons will happen but it will work itself out. We have no shooters and sub par PG play. Its not optimal but it will get better.
December 31st, 2021 at 2:39 AM ^
Harbaugh played it right. Last year was the year to be bad.
You could blame it on COVID.
December 31st, 2021 at 1:52 AM ^
Brian Ellerbe Days 2.0
December 31st, 2021 at 2:23 AM ^
Im taking a break from you guys. Jesus.
December 31st, 2021 at 6:50 AM ^
This team is a fing DISASTER...Dickerson looks slow and Clumsy..everyone else is just BLAH what a Disapointment they turned out to be/ they are Outside looking in for the tourney with ZERO qualty wins...the bloom is off the Howard
Can ANYONE on this team play DEFENSE???? ANYONE???
Heres a tip to the guards..STOP turning the ball over...GEEZ
December 31st, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
Who’s Dickerson? Eric Dickerson? No he played football, not basketball.
December 31st, 2021 at 8:37 AM ^
Jones & Johns aren't the answer and Howard needs to make a move now going into conference play. Zeb is the key to the season.
December 31st, 2021 at 8:44 AM ^
They really really miss Franz on defense. Juwan could put him on the other team’s best shooter and he would shut them down. The team defense was much better too and they played with so much confidence.
Seeing them in person last night, they play timid and without a lot of fire. Chaundee would come in and give them some juice and passion. There is no fire. I expected to see the team getting mad once they were down and pumping each other up (it’s the damn football theme song) but nope, they would just come back out like they were keeping their composure and no change.
Yes the team is young, but leaders (whoever they are) need to step up and not only encourage but also get on these guys when they mess up DURING the game.
December 31st, 2021 at 9:42 AM ^
Worse than the general incompetence at basketball activities, this team gives up when it gets the slightest bit of adversity.
December 31st, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
Less said about bball until they get this sorted, the better, but FAR MORE IMPORTANTLY:
Brian: we need your CFP Semi Game Preview to get this bad juju off the top of our beloved MGoBlog screens, please!
December 31st, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^
Sorry to say but it goes to show how important Smith was, and how we should have kept him. Did Juwan push him out ?
And our defense is poor. This tells me the impact Franz had on everyone else. I remember him ripping Dickinson for a minor gaffe and wonder if he held the team up.
December 31st, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^
I'm inclined to give the team a pass for the UCF game. Howard and the rest of the staff seem to still be trying to play who they thought were going to be their best players going into the season, even though those players aren't getting it done -- especially on defense. Let's see if it continues in conference play, or if the young guys get more run. If this keeps on, though, there is some blame to be put on Juwan for not managing the substitutions optimally.
Also, it doesn't seem like there is much player leadership out there, and that might be affecting the effort on the court. What a strange year -- football crushes it and men's basketball underachieves -- who'd have thought THAT in August?
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