MMB thoughts: final stats, B1G finish, and tourney

Submitted by tasnyder01 on January 12th, 2021 at 12:44 PM

Interested in general discussion about MMB. What do you think will be Dickinson's final PPG and RPG? What do you think will be our B1G record and place? Any areas/players you expecting growth from this year?

I'm particularly interested in Zeb's minutes. Eli went out, so he got more last game. Hoping to see that continue. Seque: who runs point next year? Do we think Smith or Eli return? And OMAHGAWD, what does a Moussa/Dickinson tandem even look like? Would we play 2 bigs. I think this Webber guy did it with someone named Howard. 

Oh, and this is labeled "Basketball". No, that is not code for "please tell me all your thoughts on Harbaugh." 

MGoBoard
Basketball

Tunneler

January 12th, 2021 at 1:45 PM ^

When it comes to Harbaugh, I think maybe someone in his family was not pleased with his antics on the sidelines the first couple years.  Wouldn’t be surprised if the fire that the team & fans were feeding off, embarrassed someone in his inner circle, & he was asked to tone it down.  Seems like he toned it off.

Joined: 08/01/2013

MGoPoints: 26034

Blue In NC

January 12th, 2021 at 12:56 PM ^

Of course Diabate and HD can play together.  I think Diabate's game is more suited to the 4 rather than the 5 anyway.  And he can guard 3s and maybe even 2s.  That leaves Johns to play good minutes swinging between 4 and 5.

Assuming Smith leaves, it's likely Collins or Zeb at PG.  Obviously any one of Brooks, Smith and Brown would be welcomed back.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 8575

FrankMurphy

January 12th, 2021 at 1:22 PM ^

I think Dickinson's final stats will be a little bit down from where they are now, seeing as how we're entering the thick of the B1G schedule and our toughest games are ahead of us. Austin Davis is also coming back, and Juwan will work him back into the rotation to relieve Hunter. He'll still be a lock for B1G Freshman of the Year. 

I think we'll win the conference. If we keep playing like we've been playing the past two weeks, we're the best team in the B1G, hands down. And the schedule sets up nicely, seeing as how we only play Iowa and Illinois once each, and both are at home. If I had to guess at our final record, I would say 17-3 (assuming the postponed PSU game gets rescheduled). That's right, I'm going bullish on this season.

It's tough to make too many predictions about next year, seeing as how we don't know what the team will look like. I would love to see Mike Smith, Eli Brooks, and Chaundee Brown return, and I think that would benefit them because it would position them to give the NBA a shot. Without them, the backcourt will obviously be the biggest question mark entering next season.

Joined: 08/19/2008

MGoPoints: 31971

twotrueblue

January 12th, 2021 at 1:50 PM ^

Stats: 100% Noise mostly pleasant, preferable to most ears than the RAWK music

B1G Finish: well technically there are no standings, but I would say they are the leaders and the best. Hard to beat the "Victors"

Tourney: with COVID I doubt the MMB makes the tourney, tough for any MB to make the tourney if restrictions are the way they are.

 

EDIT: this is a basketball thread? Whoa!

Joined: 12/11/2017

MGoPoints: 4324

AlbanyBlue

January 12th, 2021 at 1:51 PM ^

We definitely CAN win the Big Ten, but there is a long way to go. We will know a great deal more about this team after the game against Wisconsin. It will reveal a great deal about how well we hang with the other top teams in the conference.

As far as the tournament, I see us as an Elite Eight / fringe Final Four squad right now. Obviously a long way to go. But if we keep improving the non-Dickinson parts of the offense -- which I think can happen -- then we can be Final Four bound and have a shot at winning the title.

Next year. Hmm, obviously getting Dickinson back for one more year would be amazing. I'm also impressed with Smith at the point, so I would love it if he came back for one more. Experience at the point is huge.

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 22052

nowicki2005

January 12th, 2021 at 3:16 PM ^

I would say NC bound but still think we need that one guy that is always taking the big shot at the end or who is going to get you that bucket at the end. I typically don't believe in a post guy being this guy. Sad to say it but Josh Christopher would have filled that void. 

 

My hot take, Moussa will be better than hunter in his first year. More athletic, better defense,  almost as equal of a lesser and better rebounder due to having a larger radius

Joined: 06/28/2011

MGoPoints: 3068

Cousin Larry

January 12th, 2021 at 3:31 PM ^

Hunter finishes about where he is now (18 and 9), get's All-B1G 1st team, leaves, gets picked in the 25-35 range.

Team finishes behind Iowa in the standings, in a scuffle with Illinois and Wisconsin for 2nd place.

Joined: 09/09/2020

MGoPoints: 24790

Frank Chuck

January 12th, 2021 at 3:43 PM ^

I think college basketball will be given a free year of eligibility like college football was. In that scenario, I think Mike Smith, Eli Brooks, and Chaundee Brown return.

-----

I see Moussa Diabate as a more athletic Jaren Jackson Jr. (And I don't see Coach Howard benching Diabate to play Jaron Faulds so that's nice. Izzo will never live down playing Ben Carter over JJJ.)

Yes, Coach Howard would play 2 big line-ups (which is something Coach Beilein was reluctant to ever do.)

------

Also, if Zeb Jackson keeps improving then he might be a contributor come NCAAT time. I compare him to Caris LeVert who looked out of place early in his freshman season but then developed steadily and gave us some quality minutes during the latter half of the Big Ten schedule and NCAAT.

Zeb has a lot of potential but right now he just needs to play within the offense and play to his strengths. I like his chances of developing into a starter eventually.

-----

Right now, I just want to see Michigan keep winning and keep improving. Winning tonight at home against Wisconsin would go a long way in giving Michigan the early inside track on winning the Big Ten regular season championship.

It's nice that we get Iowa and Illinois at home with no return road trips. Staying perfect at home is a big key in finally winning another Big Ten RS Championship.

Joined: 05/01/2015

MGoPoints: 15858