Michigan 63, Norfolk State 44
In John Beilein's 800th career win, his Michigan team leaned on its defense and suffocated Norfolk State from the beginning en route to a comfortable, if ugly, 63-44 win. It took the Spartans (Not Those Spartans) over seven minutes to score their first points, which came on an unintentionally banked-in long two after Michigan had eased its way to an 11-0 lead. For most of the first half, the Wolverine defense was nearly impeccable, holding Norfolk State to just 0.37 points per possession and affording a misfiring Michigan offense a large margin of error.
Jon Teske was the standout for UM: not only did he lead the team in scoring (with 13 points) and rebounding (with 8, which was tied with Isaiah Livers), his defense in the paint was outstanding, as the 4 blocks he logged in the stat sheet is an insufficient record of how many shots he altered around the rim. After a swat as the help defender midway through the second half, BTN announcer Shon Morris remarked that he was "almost not fair," and it was hard to shake that feeling as he completely smothered any and every Norfolk State drive in his vicinity. Michigan's team will look quite different with Teske replacing Moe Wagner as the starting center, but early returns indicate that an already outstanding Michigan defense will be even more formidable with the surprisingly quick giant deterring opponents and swallowing up their shot attempts.
The wings mostly had rougher season debuts, and were the principal cause of Michigan's offensive troubles. Jordan Poole didn't hit a shot from the field, though he did have a few nice assists early on in the game before Norfolk State switched to its mix of zone defenses; Charles Matthews was active on the offensive glass and chipped in 12 points, but missed all four of his mostly wide open three-point attempts and - more worryingly - all five free throws; Ignas Brazdeikis had a rough first half in his first college game (featuring a rushed, contested two that was blocked after he'd conceded a layup, an airballed three, and a charge in transition) before making a few nice plays in the second. Livers, who played more minutes off the bench than the freshman did, had a nice game: protecting the rim, generating a few extra possessions on the boards, dishing out a few nice assists - including a drive and no-look dish to Brazdeikis for a dunk - and hitting a variety of shots.
That Michigan scored just 0.91 points per possession and still managed to win very comfortably speaks to how utterly overwhelmed Norfolk State was by what could be one of the best defenses in the country. The Wolverines did a good job of moving the ball against the zone and avoided turnovers for the most part (at least until late in the game, deep into garbage time), but just couldn't hit shots: 16/34 on twos (47%) against an undersized opponent and 6/26 on threes (23%). More worryingly, free throws were an issue even aside from Matthews, as Michigan hit just 13-29 of its free throws as a team (45%).
It didn't matter though. Even if most of Michigan's rotation was having an off night on the offensive end, their work on defense made those struggles irrelevant. The three guards, Zavier Simpson, Poole, and Eli Brooks (who played well on offense, hitting two threes and notching four assists to zero turnovers) were disruptive - forcing more turnovers than they were credited with in the box score - and did well to stay in front of Norfolk State's perimeter players. Most of the rare baskets they conceded came on tough shots, including multiple contested step-back twos. That first Spartan bucket was illustrative of simply how hard it was for them to score, as was their first made three, a turnaround deep buzzer-beater in the second half. In the end, Norfolk State scored 0.64 points per possession, a number that was better than all but two of the defensive performances over Michigan's 41 games last season.
Before the last five minutes of the game, when Beilein subbed out Teske for good and put in freshman big Brandon Johns, he went with a tight, eight-man rotation: the same starters as the exhibition (Simpson, Poole, Matthews, Brazdeikis, and Teske), the sixth man, Livers, third guard Brooks, and backup big man Austin Davis, who was active around the basket on the offensive end. By the end, all five freshmen had played, and the Wolverines closed with a lineup of David DeJulius, Adrien Nunez, walk-on CJ Baird, Johns, and Colin Castleton - so there will be no redshirts this season.
Once Michigan's strength of schedule ramps up, it's unlikely that opponents will look so hapless on offense, but it's clear that this team has a ton of potential on the defensive end of the floor - and that starts with Teske, who looked outstanding against an overmatched Norfolk State team, and Simpson, who disrupted plenty of possessions tonight. Michigan's shooting struggles may or may not portend a rough year in that regard (it's far too early to tell) but their defense may rack up plenty of wins either way.
[After the JUMP: the box score]
November 7th, 2018 at 12:39 AM ^
Tesked!
November 7th, 2018 at 12:47 AM ^
Teske was the defensive MVP of the team. He has altered and blocked so many times that Norfolk pretty much stopped attacking the rim when he's on court. He showed good things on offense and can unlock some things for them once opposing bigs start respecting his jumper.
Austin Davis was solid and clearly is in the main rotation as a backup C while Johns and Castleton are developing. Castleton looked like a freshman on the court and it will take longer for him to develop to catch up.
I'm impressed by the defense overall sans a few moments where there's a breakdown but those are rare. They're going to need them as they figure out the offense. They lost a lot of production and shooting from Moe, MAAR and Duncan.
November 7th, 2018 at 1:21 AM ^
Eli Brooks looked good. Teske is a player. Poole had some nice passes. And most importantly, the D is still a strength.
Beyond that? Ugly, with embarrassing free throw shooting and weak 3pt shooting. And the less said about the freshmen, the better.
Beilein will coach them up, but he has a lot to do.
November 7th, 2018 at 1:25 AM ^
I wasn't able to watch much but Livers looked excellent in the few minutes (for 5 min or so of the second half) I saw. Back-to-back plays in which he drove and dished as mentioned here and then the next play ran the break for another assist. May have been the opponent, but he looks aggressive and comfortable with the ball in his hands as compared to last year.
Not too worried about the shooting overall, other than Matthews FTs. Woof man.
The 3 pt struggles came mostly from the two guys I would expect to be the best on the team in Poole and Iggy. So that isn't going to be a regular thing from them.
Impressive that Teske was able to go 27 minutes and block 4 shots with only 3 fouls. He may play more than anyone expected this season.
Biggest concern is this team scoring against zones. We'll regularly be putting three guys out there that can't shoot (as opposed to two guys last year) and that makes beating a zone more difficult. Eli Brooks might be the key there. If he can spell Z some when opponents are going zone, it would get three shooters back on the floor.
I would also expect to see more Iggy at the 3 and Livers at the 4 against zones.
This team will be very good once again.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:12 AM ^
Iggy is not a great 3 pt shooter. Many people seem to have the impression that he's a great shooter, but he's really not (yet). His strength is getting to the bucket and finishing through contact.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:19 AM ^
Yeah as mentioned by ypsituckyboy, that kind of 3 pt shooting will probably be the norm. He's not a Stauskian player, even though they share Lithuanian and Canadian heritage. I would take 33% from him from deep.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:07 PM ^
He was 1-5 from three last night (per the box score here). That is bad. That will absolutely not be his norm or he will be told to stop shooting threes.
I was under the impression he'd be a high 30s 3pt shooter and I adjust my expectation that he'll be the second best shooter on the team if he'll be more in the low-to-mid-30s, but again, no one that shoots 20% from threes gets the green light to shoot threes so this will not be his norm.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:18 AM ^
Livers looks better that expected. Davis is solidly in the rotation. Freshman other than Iggy are clearly not ready.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
I feel like Livers looked like this before his ankle injury last year, and that he has a more complete game than he's given credit for. He does do many small things well off the ball, as does Teske.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:20 AM ^
Agree on Livers. That was my biggest takeaway from this one. He looked quick and decisive. I think he'll end up being a bigger piece to this than I expected.
November 7th, 2018 at 12:52 PM ^
That was my takeaway as well. Livers looked very comfortable out there, active and athletic, playing with confidence and aggressiveness as opposed to last year. He moves very well for a big guy and was attacking the glass.
Don't give up on those freshmen just yet. It was their first game in Crisler and all of them were clearly nervous, even Iggy. DeJulius physically already looks the part for an 18 year old kid.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:40 AM ^
FT 13-29. Ugh. It’s gonna cost this team.
November 7th, 2018 at 6:49 AM ^
We won (comfortably?) so no complaints. But that was UGLY. Honestly, I get that JB always coaches up teams, but this may be a different situation. This is a straight up horrible shooting team, which is not something that can be “taught” or fixed in a half season.
November 7th, 2018 at 8:51 AM ^
Or it could just be an off night. Your view is a little extreme.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:13 AM ^
This is not really an off-night. This is a carry over from last season.
November 7th, 2018 at 7:10 AM ^
No redshirts is interesting — not quite sure what to make of that — could light a fire?
You’ll still have that core of eight regulars, but the second group are now all in as well.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:20 AM ^
Not sure why he's making that pronouncement either. Just because someone played tonight doesn't mean they won't develop an "injury" before reaching the played games threshold and then red shirt.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:56 AM ^
Typically Basketball players don't redshirt unless they're injured. I think JB wanted them to get game experience so he can develop them as quickly as possible
November 7th, 2018 at 8:21 AM ^
The infatuation with Simpson, from both the coaches and fans, must end if this team is going to be successful. There are many outstanding options on this roster to significantly upgrade the offensive profile...including the best shooter-freshmen Nunez.
November 7th, 2018 at 8:52 AM ^
Good grief. Bad take.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:07 AM ^
I do not expect partisan fans who know little to nothing about the game to understand. This Simpson hype is sooooo over the top. The depth and breadth of Simpson's negative effects on the offensive end are significant...and they will become increasingly magnified as the season goes on-as teams learn how to further hedge his presence on the floor. It matters not whether the ignorant partisans like this message or not-here, the truth is the truth.
This roster, this team, has a very high ceiling. But finding the right combination of skills and building the core of what they do best is not clear...and will be the challenge this staff must meet if this team is to be successful. Potential does not win games. Y'all can jump up and down and scream and yell all you wish but this is reality.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:22 AM ^
I agree that Simpson can be overrated by our fanbase, not really a surprise considering he's a really tough, fan favorite type player. But suggesting Nunez as the answer? Yikes dude. Our offense will not be great, even when Simpson is off the court. But his passing is worth something and it may be better for us to just double down on defense anyway.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:44 AM ^
Oh yeah, Outsidethebox. Forgot you’re the dude who hooped it up at the Y from time to time, so you claim to know PG play, and everybody else is ignorant. Look forward to your often incorrect takes again this season.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:23 AM ^
Yeah, all-state beginning my sophomore year in HS-in Michigan would be the real fact though-a PG no less. And I've coached, played and officiated at the college level. I've forgotten more about this game than most have ever known...but make up whatever story you wish to support your partisan ignorance.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:00 AM ^
"...partisan fans who know little to nothing about the game to understand."
Right, because nobody here has ever played basketball, or watched it for 100 years, until you came around. Thank God you're here to enlighten us! We're just poor partisan fans on a football board...
How many safeties did Matthews tackle last night?
November 7th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
I do not expect partisan fans who know little to nothing about the game to understand.
I agree; you don't understand.
Simpson is the best defensive point guard in the country. That's why he starts (and why Michigan wins 80+% of the games he starts).
November 7th, 2018 at 8:59 AM ^
Yeah, forget his ability to completely shut down opposing PGs, which was the key to our NCAA tournament run.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
You, sir, are not very intelligent. Time will tell if Nunez even contributes much at all this season. Even if he is the best 'practice' shooter, that doesn't mean he is the best option in a complete basketball game in the Big Ten.
November 7th, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^
That's right. We absolutely cannot have a successful season with Simpson as the starting PG. No chance we win the Big Ten tournament, no chance to go to the Sweet 16 or Final Four. Oh wait . . .
November 7th, 2018 at 3:58 PM ^
ummm...no
November 7th, 2018 at 5:02 PM ^
LOL, if you're that knowledgable and self confident, why don't you call the basketball secretary and leave a message for Beilein re: who should be getting minutes at PG?
November 7th, 2018 at 8:46 PM ^
The only thing Nunez has over Simpson is his shot...supposedly... as the one shot he took was horrific. There's more to basketball than just shooting.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:04 AM ^
Defense looked good, but hopefully the offense can get it figured out quicker than normal Belein teams because that was pretty rough to watch
November 7th, 2018 at 9:21 AM ^
The free throw shooting is a baffling, ongoing headache. 13-29 is not good, lol. 0-5, is really not good. I really hope they're working hard with Matthews and others on this problem. I firmly believe that this could improve significantly with the appropriate emphasis and approach. At this level, 60% should be the floor for any individual player.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:23 AM ^
Michigan is going to set basketball back a little this year and win a lot of games in the 50's. It is what it is and you play to your strengths but this isn't a team that is going to be great at shooting.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
Michigan is already up to 12 and 8 in defensive rating on kenpom and barttorvik, respectively lol.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:50 AM ^
This team will not shoot over 30% from three this year- it just ain't gonna happen. Lets just pray we can shoot above 60% from the free throw line. It's going to be a very different team and season this year. Good news is, it can still be very fun and successful.
November 7th, 2018 at 11:36 AM ^
I'll take you up on that bet. If we shoot less than 30% that would be an unmitigated disaster and we would not make the tournament
November 7th, 2018 at 1:43 PM ^
Do you realize how low 30% is? Simpson shot 29% last year and that was when he went weeks without making one.
November 7th, 2018 at 10:51 AM ^
Defensively, Teske reminds me of a poor man's Shawn Bradley. Offensively, he may already have surpassed Bradley.
Figuring out whom to give the ball to in late game, close, situations is going to be the key to exceeding expectations for this team. MAAR and Duncan are gone. Poole is one likely option as a person you wouldn't mind having at the FT line. Who is option 1B? Brooks has a nice touch, but he was only 8-13 at the line last year, so the jury is still out. Iggy was 5-7 at the line last night, that's great for this team.
November 7th, 2018 at 1:41 PM ^
We had more blocked shots (8) than three-pointers made (6). This is definitely not a typical Beilein team.
November 7th, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^
a typical Yaklich team maybe?
November 7th, 2018 at 1:58 PM ^
Anyone think Iggy looks a little like the kid from the movie Mask?
November 7th, 2018 at 7:57 PM ^
Rocky Dennis?
November 7th, 2018 at 2:39 PM ^
It took the Spartans (Not Those Spartans) over seven minutes to score their first points, …
Meanwhile, over in the Fox Sports GO app:
November 7th, 2018 at 3:00 PM ^
Not an off night, this team has trouble shooting. Of course they will be in the sweet 16 (as usual) but they also looked not good at the beginning of the season (as usual). I expect we lose most or all the our big games at the beginning of the season (as usual) and then smoke teams come the end of the year...just the way it always happens...Johnny B is the best coach, he'll make em good not bad.
November 7th, 2018 at 3:55 PM ^
I don't think there were any surprises in the strengths and deficiencies this team has in tonight's performance. This is a group that will take some time to gel and identify roles.
Unless you are a new fan to Michigan basketball this year, it should be no surprise that the team will have a bumpy early season while Beilein tinkers and develops his players. We have seen this movie many times before. This team has the talent to be a good to great team, but there will be growing pains
November 7th, 2018 at 8:45 PM ^
Defense looked great.
Everyone in the 8 man rotation showed offensive flashes, I think this offense will get a lot batter.
Woof, those free throws, spending 500% more time on them made them worse? Should have spent all that time forcing them to shoot underhand.
Woof, those non-iggy freshmen in garbage time looked like walk-ons, those threes from so called great shooters were miles off. They probably will be good later but right now they look like theyre all two years away (or 1 year and a wtf dj wilson away).
In light of those freshmen thank god Brooks stayed around and now looks really good.
November 7th, 2018 at 9:13 PM ^
Defense looks great. Offense will catch up eventually. The rotation may look much different by February as it often does.
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