Not a knock on the last coach, but Diabate was the kind of player they said — during the Beilein era — would never come to Michigan. "Coach doesn't want one-and-dones," they said. But seeing his length, bounce, and energy last night, I'm glad we found a coach who can, and will, bring in this kind of player.
He might not wear the maize and blue for long, but while he does, it will be electric.
It might go against our Beilein-era "pay your dues, respect the process, young man" instincts, but Houstan might already be the best player in the Big 10.
We definitely will have an embarrassment of riches. That said — and I can hear the downvotes incoming — I don't think either Diabete or Houstan are coming off the bench, regardless of who returns. At Michigan we aren't used to one-and-done talent, so one could be forgiven for thinking that freshmen must wait their turns. But these two guys are one-and-done talent, the kind we haven't had since Steve Fisher roamed the sidelines.
On the flip side, I'm not afraid of Brooks as a ballhandler. He's not a true PG but he is steady as a rock and a creative playmaker. I think between him, Collins, and Zeb we should be fine. Trying to import another transfer PG might lead to unnecessary chemistry issues and attrition.
This team is loaded — get ready for some preseason expectations. We're in uncharted territory.
Trashing recruits is one thing, complaining about objectively bad officiating is another.
You even acknowledged it's a "fair conversation" and yet you claim the need the need to protect "the business" from "fair conversation". On a fan blog.
OK, OK I capitulate. I was wrong, the refs were right.
And since we don't make excuses around here, I'm sure you'll all agree that Trey Burke fouled that little Louisville guy back in 2013. THE BLOCK WAS NOT CLEAN.
Smith's size puts a hard cap on this team. Kid can shoot, dribble, and make plays. BUT he is too small to consistently hit the roll man and feed the post. He also struggles to defend bigger guards. Collins is a bit bigger and more athletic, plus we have Zeb. I think it would be better to get those guys as much experience as possible rather than having Smith run the O again.
Did you actually edit my post title? Does anything about my post violate your rules? I get that it's a semi-benevolent dictatorship around here, but honestly editorializing in my post title is pretty low. Just lock the post if you don't like it. Don't edit my words for laffs.
Actually, the bench guys have stepped up all tournament. Davis being steady as a rock. Brown ditto. Johns ditto — seems like he is finally figuring things out.
Davidson and Wagner missing bunnies, on the other hand... and the neverending litany of Mike Smith turnovers. Now, those were problems.
The top end of the "Canadian equivalent of the NCAA" is actually quite good. The two dominant programs, Carleton and Ottawa, have recently blown out strong editions of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Syracuse on summer tours, and regularly throttle US mid-majors by 30.
After those two schools (and maybe Ryerson), there is an extreme drop-off in talent, but the best schools are solid, experienced and well-coached most years.
People are often skeptical about whether mid-major guys can make the jump, and sometimes they can't. But sometimes they can; Andy Enfield at USC is a good example. He's shaping the Trojans into an upper-tier Pac12 program on a better trajectory than blueblood rival UCLA.
Now, if USC had hired some washed-up P5 guy just because he had a track record of running a big program, they might still be irrelevant. It's a guessing game.
I mean, I do agree about the uniform choices. For some reason, it seems the current admin is trying to make the white threads a thing. Maize is for all big games and rivalries, whether at home or on the road. And all tournament games. Without exception.
Actually, I think Juwan's approach to breaking presses is way better than Beilein's.
Beilein usually just wanted the team to fight past half court so they could start their offense and play at their preferred pace. Howard punishes the press every time by going for easy dunks. I mean, JB destroyed VCU's press in that tournament game but it seemed like his approach (to control tempo above all, rather than attack the basket opportunistically) hardened during his tenure.
Recent Comments
Our arch-enemy from 1994, Corliss Williamson.
Kwity Paye, maybe?
Unpopular opinion: "Buffalo" has only ever been used as a verb in linguistics textbooks.
Popular opinion: Houstan and Diabete look goooood.
Not a knock on the last coach, but Diabate was the kind of player they said — during the Beilein era — would never come to Michigan. "Coach doesn't want one-and-dones," they said. But seeing his length, bounce, and energy last night, I'm glad we found a coach who can, and will, bring in this kind of player.
He might not wear the maize and blue for long, but while he does, it will be electric.
Just cause a guy looks 40 does not mean he's the best
It might go against our Beilein-era "pay your dues, respect the process, young man" instincts, but Houstan might already be the best player in the Big 10.
Weird way of spelling "by tonight"
Have a feeling Houstan's gonna need a Dangerman star after tonight.
Maybe even sooner than that, if he's lucky
They are going to need a lot of kleenex now that Penix is spent.
Respect for big Bo — The Originator
In the vein of Fahey, I really love Robbie Basho. Wild, primitive stuff.
Cotten is a good choice too.
Lenny Breau, Robbie Basho, Johnny Smith, Hendrix (duh), Dave Davies, John Fahey, Bo Diddley, Link Wray, Sandy Bull
Finally someone who realizes just how talented this freshman class is — probably the best since 1992.
We definitely will have an embarrassment of riches. That said — and I can hear the downvotes incoming — I don't think either Diabete or Houstan are coming off the bench, regardless of who returns. At Michigan we aren't used to one-and-done talent, so one could be forgiven for thinking that freshmen must wait their turns. But these two guys are one-and-done talent, the kind we haven't had since Steve Fisher roamed the sidelines.
On the flip side, I'm not afraid of Brooks as a ballhandler. He's not a true PG but he is steady as a rock and a creative playmaker. I think between him, Collins, and Zeb we should be fine. Trying to import another transfer PG might lead to unnecessary chemistry issues and attrition.
This team is loaded — get ready for some preseason expectations. We're in uncharted territory.
Yeah he took Cockburn to the hole once or twice. Garza was a bad defender but your point still stands.
Ummm, Diabete is a one and done. He's not getting just 15 minutes a game. Good chance he starts over Johns.
Imagine Novak had eligibility in 2012. Does Stauskas play 10 minutes behind him? Nah.
Pretty sure it's a correct use of an adverb but I apologize for not taking the SAT 'cause I work with my hands and that is beneath some UM fans.
…
"It's a business." LOL
Trashing recruits is one thing, complaining about objectively bad officiating is another.
You even acknowledged it's a "fair conversation" and yet you claim the need the need to protect "the business" from "fair conversation". On a fan blog.
Good work.
It's nice to see some perspective in here.
OK, OK I capitulate. I was wrong, the refs were right.
And since we don't make excuses around here, I'm sure you'll all agree that Trey Burke fouled that little Louisville guy back in 2013. THE BLOCK WAS NOT CLEAN.
And the spot vs OSU was right on the mark.
Smith's size puts a hard cap on this team. Kid can shoot, dribble, and make plays. BUT he is too small to consistently hit the roll man and feed the post. He also struggles to defend bigger guards. Collins is a bit bigger and more athletic, plus we have Zeb. I think it would be better to get those guys as much experience as possible rather than having Smith run the O again.
I do hope that the other guys return.
Did you actually edit my post title? Does anything about my post violate your rules? I get that it's a semi-benevolent dictatorship around here, but honestly editorializing in my post title is pretty low. Just lock the post if you don't like it. Don't edit my words for laffs.
Again, not mutually exclusive. Just because you play shamefully badly doesn't mean you aren't entitled to fair officiating.
I agree that Michigan could have overcome the refs by playing better basketball, I said that in my post. The point is that you shouldn't have to.
OK, what about the three FTs for Juzang? If those do not happen, the score is 49-48 UM.
I was in the nosebleeds at the renovated Pauley a few years back. It was garbage. Much prefer the Galen center across town.
Arent we supposed to be playing Kentucky in London, England? Or did that already happen? I'm not sure 100% what year it is.
On the bright side, UCLA is gonna get absolutely pantsed by Gonzaga.
Actually, the bench guys have stepped up all tournament. Davis being steady as a rock. Brown ditto. Johns ditto — seems like he is finally figuring things out.
Davidson and Wagner missing bunnies, on the other hand... and the neverending litany of Mike Smith turnovers. Now, those were problems.
Yeah, he was under-utilized today. Could have saved us from the ill-advised hero ball.
Please come back, C-man. You are wanted, you are needed. But even if you leave, you will be a true wolverine for life.
You can say that again.
I like Raftery BUT I really hate his catchphrase "a little kiss!"
It's basically his version of Vitale's "diaper dandy."
Good writeup. I think Eli Brooks needs a star in the pregame graphic. He is rounding into MAAR postseason form and he doesn't play like a little guy.
This U-M team is one for the ages and I am enjoying the ride.
The top end of the "Canadian equivalent of the NCAA" is actually quite good. The two dominant programs, Carleton and Ottawa, have recently blown out strong editions of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Syracuse on summer tours, and regularly throttle US mid-majors by 30.
After those two schools (and maybe Ryerson), there is an extreme drop-off in talent, but the best schools are solid, experienced and well-coached most years.
People are often skeptical about whether mid-major guys can make the jump, and sometimes they can't. But sometimes they can; Andy Enfield at USC is a good example. He's shaping the Trojans into an upper-tier Pac12 program on a better trajectory than blueblood rival UCLA.
Now, if USC had hired some washed-up P5 guy just because he had a track record of running a big program, they might still be irrelevant. It's a guessing game.
Michigan fans are always more concerned about how the team looks 5 years from now.
I mean, I do agree about the uniform choices. For some reason, it seems the current admin is trying to make the white threads a thing. Maize is for all big games and rivalries, whether at home or on the road. And all tournament games. Without exception.
Actually, I think Juwan's approach to breaking presses is way better than Beilein's.
Beilein usually just wanted the team to fight past half court so they could start their offense and play at their preferred pace. Howard punishes the press every time by going for easy dunks. I mean, JB destroyed VCU's press in that tournament game but it seemed like his approach (to control tempo above all, rather than attack the basket opportunistically) hardened during his tenure.
And make your free throws. Looking at Wagner and Johns.
You hope they aren't beatable?
True. Michigan beat Minnesota who beat Michigan.
Therefore, Michigan > Minnesota > Michigan.
I kinda like these no-name announcers. Better than know-it-all Dakich or Bilas, or silly Vitale/Raftery
LSU O.R.'s r BS
LSU getting away with bully ball D, MSU-style
Yeah very lazy
Finish Brandon.
Could use Diabete eating space and deflecting shots.
Michigan getting bonered, but hanging in there. Without Smith's mistakes we're up 5.
LSU's shooting is bad juju
T-Will looking like GRIII or Matthews there. Power drive.