Cut Juwan Some Slack
Juwan has been getting beat up pretty good in the game threads lately, and I think he deserves a little more respect, or at least some slack. I figured a few hours after beating MSU was the safest time to post this.
They key is obviously Livers. I don't think you can argue otherwise at this point. He's the only athletic 6'1"+ wing Juwan has, and he's the best shooter (you could argue Johns Jr is an athletic wing, but I see him as more of a stretch big at this point -- not really perimeter oriented outside of shooting 3s).
If my count is correct, we're 10-4 with Livers playing
- Key Wins -
- Creighton
- Iowa State
- #6 UNC
- #8 Gonzaga
- Iowa
- #16 MSU
- Losses
- #1 Louisville on the road after the Atlantis travel and multiple games. (admittedly, we got pummeled in this one)
- At unranked Illinois who is now #2 in the B1G
- Home vs #10 Oregon in an OT last possession heartbreaker
- Home vs #21 Illinois in a buzzer beater. I believe we were up when Livers got injured.
I think he's doing pretty well, especially considering that in the games listed above he has 6 solid wins, and no bad losses (unless you want to count a big road loss at #1 as a bad loss).
He's only been on the job 262 days. He appears to have a top 5 class coming in. The man bleeds blue, and you can hear in his voice how much her truly cares. Consider giving him some time. I really don't know how much more you could ask of a first year coach who came into a program with no succession plan after it's beloved coach suddenly departed for a new challenge.
Go Blue.
February 8th, 2020 at 4:32 PM ^
The game threads are toxic no matter the sport. I've given them up.
I think most people are excited about the Howard era. There's just a few loud, angry voices who stand out in the crowd.
February 8th, 2020 at 5:16 PM ^
Most people criticizing Juwan don’t follow basketball and are listening to too much Spath on radio
February 8th, 2020 at 7:06 PM ^
I listened to the Michigan insider podcasts. It led me to that guy’s show on podcast, so I listened to that as well. I could only do it for a week or so. Had to stop. Seems he’s only become worse since then.
February 8th, 2020 at 5:21 PM ^
I don’t even visit the game threads, anyone with a pulse should of know Coach B left the Cupboard half empty
February 8th, 2020 at 5:45 PM ^
I don't think we need to blame Beilein. We happened to lose a lot of guys to the pros, and then a recruit in the coaching transition, and then had Livers go down to injury. I file that in the "Sh*t happens" category.
February 8th, 2020 at 6:18 PM ^
Not pushing blame on him, pointing out it wasn’t a loaded roster. I love Beilein and respect everything he did for the program and university.
February 8th, 2020 at 10:18 PM ^
One of the best PG's in the country. Teske, who was incredible last year. Livers. Brooks. That's not a bare cupboard. Howard had a ton more talent left to him than Beilein had when he took over. You can argue that they aren't "Howard's style" and that's the case. That's the issue. They spent years under one style and now it's completely different. They went from ball control and no turnovers, crisp passing, and heavy handed defense of Beilein to the wide open push the ball style of Howard. That's a lot of change in 9 months.
Remember, they lit up the world in Atlantis. That takes talent. Lots of talent. It's just struggling to find itself in a new system. Going to have lots of highs and lows.
February 9th, 2020 at 12:05 AM ^
Not to mention top 100 guys in DeJulius and Johns who were poised to make sophomore leaps. And Castleton was just outside of top 100 if I recall.
This is very talented roster with a good mix of veterans and young guys.
Howard deserved some of the criticism as they went on a slide because they weren't playing the right coverages with the three point line having been moved back. They've made adjustments (notice all the hard hedges on the pick and roll today?) and they're once again playing well.
They're the #11 team in the country the last two weeks and only one of those games involved Isaiah Livers.
Howard has shown a willingness to adapt which is CRITICAL for coach. Open minded, adaptable, hard not to be encouraged right now. And the talent is there. Now that Livers is back, this team can do some things.
February 8th, 2020 at 6:15 PM ^
I gave up game threads early this year in football and haven't looked back. I don't see what enjoyment anyone could possibly get out of those.
February 8th, 2020 at 5:27 PM ^
The game threads are toxic no matter the sport.
I always get the impression that the people posting in the game threads are all drunk.
February 8th, 2020 at 7:01 PM ^
Lol. Drunk, or drunk with rage. Game threads kind of remind me of myself at like age 16-24. And 35 year old me is on there trying to tell old me to chill, relax, it's a long ride.
February 8th, 2020 at 7:11 PM ^
I didn't realize it was even a thing (complaining about Juwan), but then, as you say, I don't frequent game threads, except for hockey occasionally.
February 9th, 2020 at 8:59 AM ^
I am convinced that nobody played competitive sports who are in those in game threads.
They'd have been kicked off every team they were on for being crybabies and quitters with their attitudes. The overreaction on there to any little thing is proof most aww clueless
February 8th, 2020 at 4:36 PM ^
These game threads must be a clown show.
February 8th, 2020 at 4:39 PM ^
It's frustrating seeing the hate for Simpson and Howard. I don't know what else you could ask for from a first year coach and a maybe 6' point guard who was never supposed to be a scorer.
February 8th, 2020 at 4:47 PM ^
Indeed. And yeah, I don't do game threads but 99.99% of the Michigan fanbase who aren't whining on them are absolutely thrilled about Juwan and the direction of the program.
February 8th, 2020 at 6:22 PM ^
“Was never supposed to be a scorer.”
Non specific to Simpson, how is that even a thing in basketball? I don’t really get it. There are five guys on the court, and your telling me that one of them we’re like “yeah, you’re on a basketball team and it’s cool if you can’t do the ball in the basket part.” I’ve just never understood that at all. Not that everyone doesn’t have different strengths, but surely one criterion should be “can put ball in basket” right?
February 8th, 2020 at 7:45 PM ^
He's a <6' point guard whose strengths are ball handling, passing, on-ball defense, and basketball IQ. He doesn't have a great shot and he's not an explosive athlete. He had to develop a hook shot to be able to get shots off. It's not like he doesn't want to score, he just knows his limits and plays within them for the most part. If anything, he's forced to do too much at times because the shooters who are supposed to make baskets, and the bigs who are supposed to score inside, aren't getting their jobs done. Back in the day, score-last point guards were common. John Stockton scored 13.1 points per game and made the hall of fame. Zavier is scoring 12.7 in his senior year. He's 2nd in the nation in assists, on a team whose leading scorers are himself, Jon Teske, and Livers who has missed half the season. Zavier isn't a scorer by nature, but he's a fantastic basketball player who has maxed out the ability he was born with.
February 9th, 2020 at 6:36 AM ^
Would you believe only two or three guys ever put their foot on the ball in football?!? Crazy, right?
February 9th, 2020 at 6:36 AM ^
Would you believe only two or three guys ever put their foot on the ball in football?!? Crazy, right?
February 8th, 2020 at 6:41 PM ^
The team would be better if Beilein was still here. That's the issue I have had with Manuel hiring a head coach with no head coaching experience. He did not hire for the team to be elite. He took a route that likely had optics in mind.
February 8th, 2020 at 6:48 PM ^
This is a really dumb take. Like, idiotic
February 8th, 2020 at 6:50 PM ^
Good that you filled you trolling quota for the day.
February 9th, 2020 at 9:16 AM ^
Ironic
February 8th, 2020 at 6:50 PM ^
This idiot and Nervous Bird are the same poster. Beyond horrible take.
Who the fuck would you have hired at the time?
Yak? Yeah Texas sure is better with him.
Nate Oats? Who?
February 8th, 2020 at 6:58 PM ^
Ok so, you say I'm Nervous Bird. aren't you going to say I'm Mineral King, or Magnus? And who else have I been said to be?
And this is always the thing that comes up when a fan talks about not being satisfied with a coach---that there's no one else that could have been hired. This is especially true when fans talk about not being satisfied with Jay Harbaugh.
It's a weak shot, a fall back position.
February 8th, 2020 at 7:15 PM ^
No it’s not. It has much more validity in football. In basketball it doesn’t given the timing of Beileins departure.
All the hot head coaching candidates got extensions and or hired away.
Your dumbass would’ve been excited with Ed Cooley and his flex offense just bc he’s been a head coach? Or Porter Moses? Or overpay a fuck ton for Oats to pry him away from Bama?
Do you think any of them would have the 4th ranked class in 2020 while on the job for about 250 days? All while weathering injuries and bad luck on the year? Gtfo.
Howard is a successful alum who has praise from the NBA, players and coaches alike, excites the fan base, current players, and recruits. Doesn’t seem like a just for optics hire to me. Sounds pretty fucking reasonable actually.
February 8th, 2020 at 7:20 PM ^
Felling unhappy today?
February 8th, 2020 at 9:16 PM ^
This guy isn’t Nervous Bird or anyone else. He’s the second coming of Sky Panther. The way you can tell is that his OPs are super long, contain a ton of images with his photoshop edits, and generally make really obvious points
February 8th, 2020 at 7:36 PM ^
So who did you want, Ed Cooley?
February 8th, 2020 at 7:41 PM ^
As someone who laughs at stupidity, I appreciate this post.
Michigan’s three primary guards measure about 17.5 feet tall in total. I loved what Beilein did for the program, but I have no doubt he would not have a better record at this point given the same roster situation this year. He certainly would not have the recruits lined up for next year to solve the roster problem like Howard does.
February 8th, 2020 at 8:49 PM ^
Yo Zeke....Wat da Fuk???
February 8th, 2020 at 6:59 PM ^
I think the hate is irrational for the most part, but I also do get very frustrated when Simpson has the ball in transition and literally can never finish at the rim
February 8th, 2020 at 7:19 PM ^
What? Simpson shoots a very high percentage at the rim.
February 9th, 2020 at 9:21 AM ^
Do you watch the games?
February 8th, 2020 at 4:37 PM ^
Isn't this stating the obvious? He's getting beat up in game threads? Idiotic.
Howard is doing a fantastic job
February 8th, 2020 at 4:49 PM ^
We lost a coach. 2 underclassmen and almost a 3rd to the NBA. We weren’t supposed to be good, so any heat in those post game threads are just purely frustration
February 8th, 2020 at 4:53 PM ^
Biggest win of the season... as far as timing, opponent, and fan base sanity. Sends State scrambling for excuses.
They loved to poke fun at and downplay the impact of Livers' injury on the team. Some of our own fans joined them, calling out Coach Howard.
As always though, Quick to Hate...Slow to Congratulate.
Would've been soo many experts and couch critics coming out of the shadows had they lost. (like most assumed they would) Instead, they led from the jump, looked like the better, more hungry team, and never looked back.
Congratulations guys and Coach Howard!!
No matter how the rest of the season goes, enjoy this one.
Go Blue!! ][v][
February 8th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
Also huge win considering the recruits in attendance.
February 8th, 2020 at 4:53 PM ^
Please don't listen to the vocal minority. It seems most fans are very happy with Coach Howard. I'm one of those.
February 8th, 2020 at 4:58 PM ^
+1
I'm ecstatic with Howard. I think MBB has a bigger upside right now than football does.
I've posted multiple times that if someone told the fans back in May this is how the season would have gone, they would have taken it.
Have there been some stinkers this season? Sure.
But new, coach, new system, Beilein's players, and still winning Atlantis and beating Staee today, I'm very pleased with this season.
February 8th, 2020 at 5:16 PM ^
Exactly. We beat a team who has been #1 for multiple weeks this year (currently #2), we beat 2 top 10 teams, won a preseason tournament with a tough pool of teams, and beat our rival at home. He hasn't even coached for a year yet. And the recruiting class is probably a bigger achievement than all of that. I'm very pleased, especially when you combine all of that with the excitement of watching a guy who is one of our own.
February 9th, 2020 at 1:34 AM ^
We should probably have 2-3 more wins right now, maybe more, We lost two close games to terrible officiating at Iowa and Minnesota... Plus life without Livers was a struggle. This team is better than its record indicates.
February 8th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
My advice, stay out of game threads, no matter the sport. Football, basketball, baseball, softball, gymnastics, wrestling, golf, they all bring out the douche bags.
February 8th, 2020 at 4:58 PM ^
I believe Juwan will improve as he gains college experience. His personality and style will be a departure from JB in recruiting, and I think that will be a good thing. His love of Michigan will keep him in Ann Arbor even if a NBA team comes a calling. All in all, from a not so impressive hire, I think we have knocked it out of the park. Go Juwan and Go Blue.
February 8th, 2020 at 5:09 PM ^
People making in-game comments are filled with emotions. In general, though, I wouldn't listen to fans' takes that don't involve analysis.
Howard consistently makes the right coaching moves--timeouts when he sees a possible shift in momentum, good play calls coming out of time outs, where he shows disdain for calls and gets at the refs. We are lucky to have him after JB. Howard is showing his chops, and it is not his fault this roster has shown the limitations people thought after he had them playing their best early on.
He's doing well on the recruiting trail, the players outspokenly love him, and he's developing as a head coach very well.
February 8th, 2020 at 5:10 PM ^
During the game, watch the game--not what fans say about the game. That's my best advice--learned from all the idiocy during football games after one bad play in the first game of the season.
February 8th, 2020 at 5:11 PM ^
One recurring theme was that Yaklich would've been a better option, or Howard/Warde messed up by letting Yaklich walk, or Howard can't coach defense.
- Michigan (24th on Kempom)
- #34 Defense
- #33 Offense
- Texas (63rd on Kenpom)
- #49 Defense
- #112 Offense
That's not a shot at Yaklich. I enjoyed what he did for us. I just think that the guy who Erik Spoelstra trusted to run his defense might know what he's doing -- especially since the Heat are one of the more sound defensive teams in the NBA. Here's what Spo had to say:
“Make no mistake, he’s a well-schooled X’s and O’s coach. He had a lot of responsibilities for our program — he was basically in charge of our defense the last two or three years.”
And it may be a coincidence, but Miami was top 8 in defense the 3 years prior to this year. They are currently 13th.
February 8th, 2020 at 10:47 PM ^
Don't worry Shaka will be fired and Yaklish will be looking for a job...or if Texas is smart they will hire Luke as the HC.
February 8th, 2020 at 5:13 PM ^
The last thing in the world Juwan is concerned about is the mindless yapping of fans.
OT: Michigan softball just run-ruled Florida 11-2.