I hate Beilein's system
This post may have been motivated by the embarrassing play against Kansas, but this is a sentiment Iv held for a while now.
On the offense:
Is there a shot on the court that Beilein doesnt want his team taking? They spend 25 seconds working the ball around the perimeter, making absolutely no progress. Then they jack up an off-balanced shot. What exactly is Beilein coaching these kids to do on offense? They dont get players open, they don't get penetration, they don't set screens to the basket, they don't run pick and rolls. If theyre satisfied with just taking contested threes while falling to the side, why do they even bother running an offense? Not to mention, it seems like the players arent even trying to rebound. Granted weve been beat with quick transitions far too often, but do we really have to have 4 players sprint back on defense while our shot is still in the air?
The bottom line is that the three point system that beilein runs is built for second-tier talent. And Im not saying that were too good to be considered second-tier because were clearly not. But how can a team be consistent when they rely on the three? No team that takes 30+ threes a game will win a national championship, because the chances of winning 6 games in a row without having an off shooting day are pretty slim. In order to be consistent and compete effectively on a daily basis, you need an established post game, the ability to penetrate, good rebounding, and strong defense.
On the defense:
I don't think I've ever seen a team that gave up so many easy baskets. For those who haven't heard, we are dead last in opponents two point percentage (something like 52%).
In my opinion, the 1-3-1 is a terribly ineffective system, especially against good teams that arent going to panic when facing double teams. We don't defense the three, we dont defend the post, we dont stop penetration, we don't rebound, we dont force turnovers? So what exactly is the point of this system, if not to have the opponents big men stuff it in novaks face. I don't understand why a coach would be so attached to a non-traditional system that has never proven itself to be effective. Even at west virginia, belien's defenses were average.
To be fair though, based on today's play, it doesnt seem that this team can effectively run any defense, be it man or the 2-3.
On the 4 guard system:
It just flat out doesnt work.
Sims is not a center. Hes not a great rebounder and he isnt good at help D, which is important in a 1-3-1. He also cant defend bigger opponents.
Zach Novak is not a PF. Hes 6-5, 220. He can jump, but hes way too undersized to defend 6-9 260 PFs, and hes constantly being exploited on these grounds.
Stu Douglas is not a PG, he is a catch and release shooter. Id really love to see the statistic of what his shooting percentage is when he takes a single dribble vs when he shoots off a pass. Hes also entirely incapable of defending the opponents point guards.
On the offense:
Is there a shot on the court that Beilein doesnt want his team taking? They spend 25 seconds working the ball around the perimeter, making absolutely no progress. Then they jack up an off-balanced shot. What exactly is Beilein coaching these kids to do on offense? They dont get players open, they don't get penetration, they don't set screens to the basket, they don't run pick and rolls. If theyre satisfied with just taking contested threes while falling to the side, why do they even bother running an offense? Not to mention, it seems like the players arent even trying to rebound. Granted weve been beat with quick transitions far too often, but do we really have to have 4 players sprint back on defense while our shot is still in the air?
The bottom line is that the three point system that beilein runs is built for second-tier talent. And Im not saying that were too good to be considered second-tier because were clearly not. But how can a team be consistent when they rely on the three? No team that takes 30+ threes a game will win a national championship, because the chances of winning 6 games in a row without having an off shooting day are pretty slim. In order to be consistent and compete effectively on a daily basis, you need an established post game, the ability to penetrate, good rebounding, and strong defense.
On the defense:
I don't think I've ever seen a team that gave up so many easy baskets. For those who haven't heard, we are dead last in opponents two point percentage (something like 52%).
In my opinion, the 1-3-1 is a terribly ineffective system, especially against good teams that arent going to panic when facing double teams. We don't defense the three, we dont defend the post, we dont stop penetration, we don't rebound, we dont force turnovers? So what exactly is the point of this system, if not to have the opponents big men stuff it in novaks face. I don't understand why a coach would be so attached to a non-traditional system that has never proven itself to be effective. Even at west virginia, belien's defenses were average.
To be fair though, based on today's play, it doesnt seem that this team can effectively run any defense, be it man or the 2-3.
On the 4 guard system:
It just flat out doesnt work.
Sims is not a center. Hes not a great rebounder and he isnt good at help D, which is important in a 1-3-1. He also cant defend bigger opponents.
Zach Novak is not a PF. Hes 6-5, 220. He can jump, but hes way too undersized to defend 6-9 260 PFs, and hes constantly being exploited on these grounds.
Stu Douglas is not a PG, he is a catch and release shooter. Id really love to see the statistic of what his shooting percentage is when he takes a single dribble vs when he shoots off a pass. Hes also entirely incapable of defending the opponents point guards.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:26 PM ^
And I bet you were so down on Beilein and his system last year when we beat Duke and made the second round of the tournament. Next!
December 19th, 2009 at 1:40 PM ^
And I bet you were loving the system when we had to go to overtime against an Indiana team that was worst in the big10.
That is exactly my point. A three point system has no consistency. We can be hot one night and beat a top team, and be cold another night and lose to a scrub team.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:45 PM ^
Name some scrub teams we have lost to this year or last. I don't think you could name more than one. Iowa on the road last year is the only debatable one and a road conference game is a different beast.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^
And I bet you were loving it when we beat both UCLA, Duke, and when we were in it with Oklahoma. But of course none of these games have anything to do with coaching, right?
December 19th, 2009 at 1:29 PM ^
At what point of the game did you write this manifesto?
December 19th, 2009 at 11:45 PM ^
Just +/- how many beers you had consumed at the time of creation.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:31 PM ^
without first seeing the spelling and grammar errors. Jeez, you can't even spell Beilein right.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^
I hate this Diary.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:39 PM ^
Wolverine8810 has a point with passing the ball around the perimeter just to take time off the clock which is good to slow the game down but then shots have still been contested at least in the first half. They need to run the shooter around a screen to get some more open shots. I also agree that they aren't driving the ball to the basket enough. Look at the discrepancy in free throws; at one point it is 6 attempts for UM and 20 for Kansas. Shooting slump very evident now in second half as they have gotten some good looks but shots aren't falling for them.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:45 PM ^
To bad we're playing the best team in the country with one of the best defenses in the country and one of the best offenses and and a few of the best players in the country and one of the best coaches in the country and we aren't even getting blown out of the sky as much as most of us expected. Yeah I know Beilein sucks right.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:48 PM ^
If only we had Amaker back! Then he at least wouldn't build our hopes up by beating opponents on occasion. But alas, we aren't beating the best team in the country. Let's make up some violations, self-report them, and go back to basketball hell while we're at it.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
Yeah, except our 4 losses already this season were all against unranked opponents. Not to mention this was a team that was preseason ranked at 15. And although this was without question overly optimistic, this team has the type of talent that should allow it to a least keep these games competitive.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:02 PM ^
Yeah, except that Michigan is using a true freshman PG and usually some rough spots are expected. However we have one of the most hard working teams in the country but this isn't because of Beilein, right? Just stop talking your arguments are invalid and hold no water.
December 20th, 2009 at 7:08 PM ^
...this team has the type of talent that should allow it to a least keep these games competitive.
Um, they kind of did...
December 19th, 2009 at 1:46 PM ^
Some people don't like the style that's fine, but don't make arguments with no facts. Not a lot of teams have much of a post game anymore and that Pitino guy seems to have done ok with a team that shoots a lot of 3's and Duke seems to do ok with thtstyle as well.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
first time in about 10 years.
Man this guy sucks. TO ANN ARBOR PITCHFORK AND TORCH COMPANY!!!!!!
In sum this diary sucks. You suck. You will get neg-banged with a flurry.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:56 PM ^
Dont put words in my mouth. I said i hate the system not the coach. If you like the system, defend it. Dont just say, well we went to a tourney and we won against Duke so there. A mediocre BC also beat Duke. And a lot of teams with equal or less talent than this one made the tourney.
and dont neg bang me for having an opinion. I didnt make any douche comments. if you disagree, explain y
December 19th, 2009 at 2:07 PM ^
So you want the coach to jettison the system that he's developed and perfected over a lifelong career?
You either like Beilen as a coach AND his system or you don't...
They're inseparable.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:07 PM ^
didn't you hear? RR is going pro style offense next year.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:07 PM ^
In order for me to explain all of the reasons why I and many of the MGoBlog community disagree with you would take several lifetimes. But let's start with one, this is the system that took every team that Beilein has taken it to has succeeded. Canisius, Richmond, WVU, and Michigan. So you are telling me that the system sucks. How about next time you do a little digging for some Beilein stats in the past.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:36 PM ^
I agree with you, but to a point. I think the poster came off a little harsh and am willing to grant him this caveat. The system doesn't suck, but there has been a lot of debate of the ability of the system to produce a bonafide championship caliber team. Although you can make a winning team with his system, it hasn't been proven if a live by the three - die by the three team can succeed on the highest level.
I would compare this to the run and gun Suns. They had a new novel system that a lot of people didn't think would succeed at the highest level. In the end, they almost made it (and might have made it if a few more calls went their way). It still remains to be seen if a Beilein style team can truly succeed, or if there is that ceiling that Brian and other posters have alluded to previously.
I am hoping that the ceiling does not exist. However, I don't think bringing this point up is naive or even saying the system sucks...it is just saying that the system hasn't been tested with a national contender.
December 19th, 2009 at 8:57 PM ^
yes, I realize that this system probably won't win Michigan a National Championship. However it will make Michigan relevant again which is all I was trying to prove.
December 19th, 2009 at 9:01 PM ^
Judging by the run we made last year, pre-season polling and the general opinion of the team held by pundits...I think he has already succeeded at making Michigan relevant again.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:20 PM ^
I just hate your personality.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:30 PM ^
If you hate the system you hate the coach. You ripped on Coach B for his teams offense and defense and said that all of those systems suck.
In most sports a coach has a system that they've developed that they've used for a long time. And for you to rip the system you are ripping the coach. If you want him to jettison his system then you want him out as a coach too.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
against kansas on the road of course you have to work the clock. he's trying to shorten the game. that's the only chance of winning - shorten the game and hope your shots fall.
unfortuneately, the shots aren't falling. ya, there were a few bad shots in the first half, but plenty of open shots in the 2nd just aren't dropping.
and to suggest UM should attack the basket more against a bigger more athletic kansas team is just plain retarded.
and the D has actually been ok today; just outrebounded again, but everyone knew that would happen.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:59 PM ^
i was talking about in general, not just today. And manny was able to draw fouls early in the game when he was attacking the basket.
and the whole thing about the shots not falling, that seems to happen a lot. its no coincidence, its called shot selection.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:33 PM ^
If you were to chart the 3s taken today, and over the course of the season more generally, I think you'd see that the majority of them have been open looks within the flow of the offense; players just aren't hitting them.
To your attack on Beilein's system more generally: what system do you think would be effective for a team with, aside from Manny and DeShawn, zero height and athleticism and the inability to hit an open shot? If anything, this year's performance demonstrates what a ridiculous feat it was for Michigan to make it to the second round of the tournament last year.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:55 PM ^
not sure this guy will understand it...
December 19th, 2009 at 2:53 PM ^
what did manny have today 2 free throws? so how many fouls did he draw while driving the lane today? he also had 4 TOs, most came while driving the lane. they collapsed on him every time.
sims did a great job today, but he and gibson where overmatched in the paint. kansas had 6 blocked shots. what's that tell you? for UM not taking any shots in the paint, that's a helleva lot of blocked shots.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:00 PM ^
Of course, just have everyone drive to the basket. its soo easy. Why didn't Beilein think of that!
Do you even watch the games? This so called "bad" system you refer to kept us in the game on the road against the number one team in the country. I think they did a very good job taking good shots today. They just didn't fall.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
I think you may have misread my comment. I realize we need to run the clock down but it needs to be done with a purpose: get a good look at the end: so guys have to start moving as the ball goes around the perimeter.
I also realize that Kansas is bigger Aldrich is pretty much taking up the whole box but that doesn't mean you should never drive to the basket. That makes it too easy on Kansas' defense.
I actually think Beilein is a great coach. We watch a lot of Big East games and I always liked to root for WV when they were the "underdogs" before they made a name for themselves. Guys like Pittsnogle and Gansey were fun to watch.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
I'm not sure about what you said, but I'm sure we'd all be happier if our guys would knockdown some of these open shots they keep taking.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^
flat out? flat out?
the phrase flat out just flat out doesn't work
December 19th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
Meh - down 11 late against the #1 team in the country isn't too shabby. This game would be much closer if we were shooting like we did last year.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
Double Post
December 19th, 2009 at 1:56 PM ^
...have been made about this team in this diary have been addressed the past few weeks in previous boards (and IMO, more in-depth and definitely more eloquently.
We were an overrated team that is struggling to shoot the ball and lack clear leadership and perimeter defense...that is the issue and that has been discussed a dozen times already.
To critique the entire Beliein system is ignore the past success it had at West Virginia and claim a tournament appearance, win, and close game against a #2 seed last year moot. Fans who expected days reminiscent of the 1989 team or the Fab Five years will have to calm down. It's to early to judge whether the system will work at Michigan....until then we can only go from past results and those results are favorable.
Fans excited about last year and hoping for more need to see this team for what it really is and to do it while watching Kansas will grossly distort your already subjective perspective - relax and enjoy Michigan basketball being competitive again.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:01 PM ^
Ding ding ding. Leadership is clearly lacking. I don't think any of us realized how big CJ Lee and Merritt truly were to the team last year. Without them, and with the minor addition of Morris, we haven't been able to put it together.
A particularly bad slump of shooting ain't helping either.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:49 PM ^
And I love the way the genius play-by-play guy said Beilein only lost a couple of "minor pieces" from last year's team.
Remember please that Morris is a true freshman.
They played better today and did not fold in a huge road pressure situation.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:57 PM ^
I love a system that's won everywhere it has been.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:05 PM ^
Theoretically, his system was more effective before they moved back the 3-pt line.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
Beilein can't make the shots for them. No system works when the team doesn't execute. What's the alternative, Tommy Amaker's lack of system?
December 19th, 2009 at 2:11 PM ^
us as we start the B10.
That was the #1 team in the country and we played fairly well for the last ~25 minutes.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:13 PM ^
And we are only one of three teams to come within 13 points of Kansas.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:13 PM ^
it's easy to ignore the fact that kansas runs out only 4* and 5* players. hell, beilein had to utilize walk ons for significant minutes last year as well as a 1* and 2* freshmen.
this year again, underclassmen are getting a significant majority of the minutes. to be so disappointed that UM can't hang with the #1 team in the country on the road is ridiculous.
this team will roll with novak and douglass, as i've stated before. unfortuneately, they stunk up the joint again today.
good to see the confidence from morris today, especially after his initial airball. i would like for him to steal more douglass minutes going forward.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:15 PM ^
I can't believe someone actually wrote this kind of garbage. Shot selection in the second half might have been the best I have seen all season, the shots just weren't falling (which happens in basketball games, if you didn't know). His system is tried and true, you can't stray away from what has worked.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:30 PM ^
100%.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:16 PM ^
People who play against Beilein's system hate it a lot more than you do.
Until they get a few guys who are over 6-10 and talented enough to hold their own in the low post, they are going to have to play extremely hard to win. JB does get them to play extremely hard, and his system makes very good use of his team full of 'tweeners.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:17 PM ^
There is a reason why Beilein has had success everywhere he's been, I mean, he does have over 500 wins. Chill, the game showed a lot of promise, they can stick with the best team in the country and they didn't fall apart.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:20 PM ^
those amaker teams who routinely approach 20 TOs per game. UM is averaging only 10 this year. 10 today; kansas had 15. UM also had 9 steals.
find me a team against kansas that had as many steals as TOs. that's coaching in its purest sense; limit your own TOs while creating them from your opponents.
beilein's has put his players in a position to succeed. it's up to them to nail the shots. 5-28 from 3 pt land today. horrendous; and most were good looks. if they shoot a mediocre 30%, that game goes down to the wire.
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