MICHIGAN MEN'S BASKETBALL- '23 -'24 Season.

[hack]

I didn't see the game yet, but very curious to see how things looked without Jett. I don't think Hunter in particular likes playing with him. Unfortunately Rutgers isn't a good game to gauge the defense without him, but I'd expect the ball moved better on offense. I could see the benefit of moving Baker into the 3 spot and having Jett come off the bench.

Pretty sure that we don't see the twin-towers look too often because it would be utter disaster to have both bigs in foul trouble. Looks like Juwan wants to give that lineup a few minutes in the first half but mostly to save it for the closing stretch, and I think that's a good idea.

Crazy weird here, but Michigan is now in the exact same spot they were last year at this time -- take care of business at home, steal one on the road and they are probably in the tournament. Which is still the wrong outcome for a team this talented, but it's a learning year for Juwan. If they can retain the Reed/Kobe/Dug core, that's a really good start going into next year. If Hunter comes back, that's great. If Hunter and Jett come back, I'm a little worried.

Lastly, I would be shocked if Reed is a four-year player, and not surprised if the NBA comes for him after next year. Not too many bigs that long and powerful who can also move their feet like that, protect the rim and also guard the perimeter. He has serious defensive potential. Time to start recruiting his younger brother.

[Whitley]

Bufkin. Dug and Hunter combined for 71 points. Hunter hitting a trey to force OT which might have saved Michigan NCAA hopes. A huge win.

Michigan is now 11-7 and 17-12 overall. If they win out they might get a double bye in the Big Ten tourney.
@Illinois next.

[lineygoblue]

Michigan is now 11-7 and 17-12 overall. If they win out they might get a double bye in the Big Ten tourney.

That's going to be a tough order. They play at Illinois on Thursday, then go to Indiana on Sunday. They've had some success at Indiana, but Champaign has been brutal to Michigan. Even good M teams have went there and lost.

I think the only reason they're still in the conversation for the NCAA's is because everybody else is not so great either.

[Whitley]

That's going to be a tough order. They play at Illinois on Thursday, then go to Indiana on Sunday. They've had some success at Indiana, but Champaign has been brutal to Michigan. Even good M teams have went there and lost.

I think the only reason they're still in the conversation for the NCAA's is because everybody else is not so great either.

Once you are there no one asks how you got there.

This is a very young team. A lot of talent but a very young team..

[lineygoblue]

I'm not disputing that there's talent. This season, the problem seems to have been chemistry. They've had their moments, but they've also lost to Central Michigan. At home.

I hope they get in. But, the next two games are going to be tough.

[THE_WIZARD_]

shaddup

[Whitley]

Updated Bubble Watch

Michigan Wolverines
Hunter Dickinson's thrilling buzzer-beater made a statement not only for Michigan's tournament chances, but also for timeout reduction. With 20 seconds remaining in regulation and the Wolverines down by one at home against Wisconsin, Juwan Howard called UM's last two timeouts. Then Kobe Bufkin (who posted a career-high 28 points) missed a driving layup, Kamari McGee sank two free throws for the Badgers and the Wolverines had to freelance without a timeout. The result was a game-tying 3 as time expired. So who needs timeouts? Michigan won by eight in overtime to hold onto its spot on a good many "Next Four Out" lists. (updated Feb. 26)

[hack]

Having trouble understanding why this is somehow the second-best defense in the big ten, other than to note what a down year it is for the conference. I wish they'd have just damn maintained that lead they had. And even though it felt like they couldn't buy a 3 right when they could use one to control the game, they still put a ton of points on a great Wisconsin defense.

Kobe Bufkin, wow. If we are so lucky as to have him back next year then expectations have to be through the roof. With or without Hunter. Gotta nail the portal this offesason still, but Kobe/Tarris/Dug would be just one heck of a starting point.

Noted: did it without Jett. Three-game winning streak.

[lineygoblue]

The first shoe to drop in eliminating M from NCAA consideration happened tonight at Illinois. M lost in 2 OT's by a score of 91-87.

I guess they put up a fight, but no luck this time.

I think they're eliminated if they lose in Bloomington.

[hack]

That was brutal. Rough way to go. Second time this year up 7 with 90 seconds to go. Not surprised the second-half run came with Jett on the bench.

[Whitley]

And that's a wrap on NCAA hopes.

If this is the last game for Hunter he went down fighting just had no help in the second half.

[hack]

This year sucked. I didn't watch today, but not surprised. The die was cast when admissions fucked us on Terrence Shannon Jr. and Juwan sat and waited for Diabate and Houstan to make their decisions on the last possible day. Sad if we lose Kobe, very excited if we keep him. Juwan's challenge is stocking the roster. With the right players he'll rock, because the Xs and Os are awesome and the in-season improvement narrative is too. Probably time to get an assistant in who is a crack recruiter/portal specialist. Not sad if we lose Jett. If he stays that's fine, because he did show some progress, but there's just so much to be done for him to translate his talent into winning. I don't think it would be a good idea to have both Hunter and Jett. My best is that we lose Kobe and Jett but Hunter stays. Everything comes down to finding and actually landing this year's Terrence Shannon Jr.

Either way, glad this year's done. It was a shit year. Learning experience for a talented coach who came from the NBA at a time of extreme change. It's telling that squeaking out a home win over an also NIT-bound Wisconsin was the highlight of the year.

[lineygoblue]

There will be some heat on Howard for this season, but I doubt that his job is in trouble. A repeat of this crap fest next season will turn up the heat, tho ...

Hack summed it up well. The program needs help from the AD and President when it comes to NIL. Michigan has to get on board with the rest of the country ASAP.

[Hannibal]

Either way, glad this year's done. It was a shit year. Learning experience for a talented coach who came from the NBA at a time of extreme change. It's telling that squeaking out a home win over an also NIT-bound Wisconsin was the highlight of the year.

Beating MSU?

[hack]

That was also fun, sure. About on par. But, again, ekeing out victories at home against teams that aren't good.

The good thing is that Dug is seasoned going into Year 2. Stability at PG won't mean being behind the 8 ball after a meh non-conference performance. And there is a decent chance both Hunter and Kobe come back. I'd rather not have Jett back and worry that the chemistry between him and Hunter is a negative, but if we get Hunter and Kobe back you're looking to the portal for very specific and gettable needs and you have a contender. I don't think that's very likely, but it's possible.

But, overall, either Juwan, the AD and admissions are going to figure out the transfer portal or the program is going to suffer quite a bit. If admissions kneecaps Juwan again he may be off to the NBA, which I'll always be convinced is a better fit for him.

I'd really like to see Saddi Washington take an HC job and nail it. Prove himself a worthy successor.