MBB vs. Memphis Battle 4 Atlantis Round 1 Open Thread
Michigan basketball battles Penny Hardaway's Memphis Tigers. Need to regroup and start fresh.
Beat Ohio!
Tipoff time around 5:15pm
TV: ESPN2
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:24 PM ^
Pretty disappointing, but at least so far i still like them better than last year’s squad
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:24 PM ^
How can Michigan win with 18 turnovers. Also when Ashton Hardaway is 4-5 you don’t let him shoot open 3s. This team bothers me so much because I think they have the talent but they don’t play smart. I’d imagine Howard and the other coaches harp on these guys for the same mistakes that they constantly make.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:25 PM ^
The deep 3's have really bailed out Memphis, I thought the defense otherwise played much better. Good boxouts on rebounds on that end.
This offense though...woof. Absolutely no player movement or spacing. I appreciate what Tschetter brings on that end, because he's actually trying to do something everytime. TWill has been playing much better, but never turn your back to the defense with your dribble alive around the foul line.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:25 PM ^
Sells is pretty ticky-tacky when it comes to fouls he's called on Michigan, grrr...
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:26 PM ^
Year 5, can someone tell me what the program’s identity is? It’s not tough defense, it’s not outside shooting, it’s not hyper athletic, it’s not a specific offensive style, so I have no idea?? It looks like a bunch of tweeners that don’t fit specific roles, which seems more of like a year 1 or 2 overhaul type of team, not year 5.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:37 PM ^
Ask again in about 5-8 more games. Still very early to define this team.
November 22nd, 2023 at 8:06 PM ^
I’m not just talking about THIS team, what is his overall program identity? Their best team was the ones with Beilein’s players. What has the identity been the last 3-4 years after they left? I’m open for a discussion, I honestly don’t know. Loved Juwan all the way back to Fab 5 days but I just don’t see the success here.
November 22nd, 2023 at 8:11 PM ^
It’s hard to form an identity when most of the teams up to this point had a bunch of one-and-done starters. This team actually looks like they could turn into something halfway decent because there isn’t any one-and-done players playing “hero” ball.
November 22nd, 2023 at 8:33 PM ^
Roster continuity is on the staff as well. Yes, Jett, Caleb and Moussa were one and done but Eli, Johns, Hunter, Franz, Bufkin, Austin Davis, Livers, T Will, Cheddar all played more than one year here. Chaundee, Mike Smith and Devante Jones were his choices. This is year two for Dug and Reed as well.
The last 3 years have been a hot mess with roster construction, level of play and team culture and that’s what I’m asking about here. What is their program identity? It’s not stringent defense, hyper aggressive style of pace, it’s not outside in or inside out style, there is no pressing or zone consistency, fundamentals are lacking, turnovers are high and the roster construction is off yet again.
November 22nd, 2023 at 8:58 PM ^
Their identity is Terrence Williams. Mediocre at every aspect of the game.
November 22nd, 2023 at 9:54 PM ^
I would take mediocre ball handling skills from Williams.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:27 PM ^
0 field goals in the last 5 minutes. not a great recipe for success. But there was a furious comeback so maybe it was inevitable just looking at the odds
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:30 PM ^
Here we go - let's exorcise those Vandy vibes from last year.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:30 PM ^
could penny still dominate this game?
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:31 PM ^
He does still look cool on the sidelines in that purple get up, I must say.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:31 PM ^
They show a hell of alot more heart than last years team..they might not be great but seem like a better "team"..
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:32 PM ^
Yeah Momma! Shake that money maker!
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:36 PM ^
Only the second half. I don't know what the hell happened with the team the first half, but we sucked all sorts of ways. These guys had it together the first three games, what the hell happened??
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:36 PM ^
Turns out free throws are important.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:36 PM ^
18 turnovers, 16 by the frontcourt.
The rally at the end bothers me because if they had played 10 percent smarter, they probably win going away.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:39 PM ^
Damn, that was trending to be a lot worse than it was. Need to get Jalen back and see if he can provide some depth. I like the fight they showed to claw back into it. Still a ton of season left. Will be interesting to see if they can improve.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:39 PM ^
I can see this team finishing top 5 in the B10, making the 2nd weekend of the NCAA tournament if they grow, meaning they clean up defensively, get consistent production out of McD, Nkamhoua, & Tarris & start Jackson over TWill.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:41 PM ^
Whoa!
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:42 PM ^
That is incredibly optimistic. I'd take it but I don't see it (yes it's November.. but).
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:59 PM ^
Are you drunk?
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:41 PM ^
Some fixable problems: some really awful defensive possessions at random times throughout. The killer was the floater Dug missed and never got back really leading to a Memphis 3 to push the lead back to 4.
Less fixable problems: long athletic teams are going to be a problem.
If either small forward dribbles in the front court, they should be immediately benched.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:44 PM ^
That 2nd half was more what we saw out of this team early in the year. Fewer TO's & good solid defense. Memphis took away all the break opportunities & had speed/length on us at every position but Center. Would have liked to feed Tarris more, but he just doesn't seem improved on his low post moves & hands are still an issue. If he can explode to the hoop for dunks instead of layups, then he's a mismatch. But good comeback, love to see the fight no matter win or lose.
November 22nd, 2023 at 7:45 PM ^
These scoring droughts have absolutely killed us these past few years. Besides Burnett who on this team can hit an open 3? Juwan really needs to recruit some dead eye shooting types. The Hardaway kid is 1,000 times better than Jett, IMHO. Wonder if he will one and done himself off his dad’s team.
November 22nd, 2023 at 8:01 PM ^
Tough to win with 18 turnovers, weird to lose with so many offensive rebounds.
Sloppy rotations and terrible 3 point d continues under Howard regime. T Will and Tarris still kind of drowsy players. Shooting percentage on key players is regressing to last year's norm.
But still a lot more potential than I thought with this team and a lot of guys to like. Be incrementally better when Llewellyn back and Jackson, YaYa or GW become more useful. Would have nice to have had a bucket like Caleb Love on this squad.
November 22nd, 2023 at 8:28 PM ^
Us sucking at basketball again means we're going to crush OSU this weekend, right? I'm fine with that.
November 23rd, 2023 at 9:10 AM ^
Here as one of our (few?) basketball optimists but admittedly discouraged by the last two games. Surprised and pleased by the general upbeat tone of this thread and if we can win out and come home 5-2, that won't be too bad.
Have to clean up the turnovers, if that means slowing the pace, so be it.