mjc

September 19th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^

Unfortunately, I think it is going to be a long season. I'm ready to be proven wrong! Hoping for a big year from Tarris Reed Jr.

 

GO BLUE!

XM - Mt 1822

September 19th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^

i think its best we don't talk about basketball now, other than hoping for juwan to have a great recovery.  

maybe we shouldn't talk about basketball until, say, 2026 or so....

St Joe Blues

September 19th, 2023 at 3:45 PM ^

You're probably right, although I'm hearing rumblings out of Crisler that there's a different attitude from this team. Remember last season how it seemed certain players could get away with not playing D, slacking off, etc with impunity? People are saying that's been rooted out and they're playing more like a team and less like an NBA tryout scrimmage.

NewBlue7977

September 19th, 2023 at 3:57 PM ^

I honestly see about 17 losses on Michigan's schedule with this roster.  I know there is a great chance I am wrong, but I strongly do not believe this is a 500 team.  I feel bad for Harbaugh and Howard because the Athletic Department is handicapping them when it comes to recruiting.

  A few weeks ago I read a story (MLive I believe) that boosters and third parties want to give money to recruits that the Michigan football and basketball programs are going after, but I guess the money has to be sent to the Athletic Department and they do not know where in the Department to send the money to because no one is providing them with the proper information, so they are stuck not being able to provide that money to recruits. 

I do like Michigan's approach with NIL, but if a booster is willing to provide help with recruiting, and if the recruit has the grades to get through admissions, then the University should not be a road-block for this to happen.  If what I read is incorrect, then maybe someone with more intel can correct me on this?  

rice4114

September 19th, 2023 at 4:11 PM ^

People optimistic on the bball program (Ill admit it isnt many) are pinning their hopes on players tripling to 10x their outputs from last season. That is some wishful thinking. Maybe we can be a poor mans (mid 2000's) Pistons team? Dominate with defense and find 2-3 players that can hit 3s?

bronxblue

September 19th, 2023 at 4:17 PM ^

I'm honestly somewhat excited about what this team looks like just because it won't be based around Hunter on offense and a collection of defensively disinterested or limited players.  They won't be as good offensively but it'll be a different style and considering how meh the past two years have been that'll be different at least.

NJblue2

September 19th, 2023 at 9:23 PM ^

Most of the schedule looks difficult since I have a hard time seeing them beating any of these teams besides Minny, Northwestern and Penn State. 

This team is going to be rough and ugly to watch. They've decided to go all in on defense, so they'll look like those early Rutgers teams. I just don't think you an expect much from guys like Burnett, Jackson, Llewellyn and the assortment of disappointing 4s. 

DennisFranklinDaMan

September 20th, 2023 at 1:39 AM ^

I'm already bored with everyone insisting we'll be terrible. It's possible. It may even be probable. But I plan on avoiding the negativity, sitting back, cheering for the team, and hoping for the best. 

Seems like most of the people posting how bad the team is going to be ... just want to be able to say "told you so." So ... we got it. You told us. You get full credit if/when they have a difficult season. 

For my part, I hope they come together, use the skeptics as motivation, and actually come up with 15-16 wins. And maybe are more fun to watch, even if far less talented, than the dysfunctional group we had last season. It's not all about winning championships. Sometimes it's about fighting hard and showing up. Go Blue.

nerv

September 20th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^

This team is going to be scrappy and play defense. I think they will be a better watch than last years team. Watching them have no ability to rotate or be able to do much of anything requiring defensive IQ was frustrating.

I was feeling quite pessimistic about the team not that long ago but Im turning that around. NCAA basketball is a crap shoot with teams turning over half their roster every season. All sorts of teams are going to gel and play better than expected this season. Let Michigan be one of them.

93Grad

September 20th, 2023 at 1:16 PM ^

It just feels like a Tommy Amaker-esque season is inevitable.  There are some nice players on this team, but not enough difference makers and I don't have much faith in the coaching staff to get the most of out this team.   I think they will be on the wrong side of the bubble most of the season despite one or two brief periods where we may have some reason for hope.