MICHIGAN'S MEN'S BASKETBALL: 2015-2016

[hack]

Oh my god these fouls!

[Niffla]

Playing much better since that UConn loss.

But damn, that Walton injury though...

[The Oracle]

Yeah, wouldn't be as big a deal if Spike wasn't basically out too.

[hack]

For us or against us, most of the fouls called tonight have been just dumb. I know the handchecking is a point of emphasis, but still.

[hack]

Good win. Michigan played its game on offense.

Looks like the center rotation has tightened up -- Donnall didn't play and Wilson just garbagetime minutes.

[Hannibal]

Get healthy as soon as possible, Derrick.

And I love the voice that Mike Patrick has for the game but that guy needs to retire sooo badly. He got calls wrong repeatedly last night.

[hack]

Yeah, pretty clueless.

[*JD*]

Getting names wrong always makes you wonder about a guy and Patrick did it 3 or 4 times last night, often with the guy he was naming sitting on the bench. Blaha has been doing it a bit in the last couple of years as well but I imagine he's not going anywhere.

Michigan has a pretty easy opponent on Saturday in Houston Baptist. Hopefully, Walton will only miss that one. It looks like MAAR is going to have to be counted on a great deal this season. After two off-season hip surgeries, and judging from the way he looks right now, I don't think Spike will be capable of being more than a spot-reserve. Irvin still looks like he can't go full bore but I think his injury has a much quicker time-table for recovery. He seems to be slightly on the positive side of being a contributor but also has moments where he looks tentative.

Next week is their last real pre-season test, at #22 SMU. I think Larry Brown will still be suspended but they appear to have a good squad. Then it's holiday treats until the B1G season starts. In that time, I hope one of Wilson, Donnal or Chatman does something to distinguish themselves. Dawkins could use some work too. The bench is really solid with Mo and Duncan playing better than the guys starting in front of them. I could see Beilein keeping those guys in those roles but I want the starting unit to be more effective throughout. Maybe Dawkins would thrive in a more featured role as a 6th man, instead of a starter?

[hack]

Who would you move into the starting lineup though? Robinson works really well coming off the bench as a specialist. Hopefully Dawkins just finds his legs, because he's a more rounded player.

Agreed about Spike. Until Irvin is back at full strength and trusts his 3, they can't be on the floor together. A real shame about Spike. He was money from 3 his first two years and now he just won't shoot it.

My guess is that Wilson gets spot minutes and Donnall falls out of the rotation completely. Chatman doesn't look like he's about to turn any sort of corner either. Assuming Walton is healthy, I think we're gonna see Walton and LeVert with Rahkman backing, Irvin and Dawkins with Robinson backing, and Doyle and Wagner splitting the 5 minutes with Wilson getting an occasional minute or two in foul-trouble scenarios. Spot time for Spike unless they decide to just shelve him, in case they can get a redshirt.

[*JD*]

Who would you move into the starting lineup though? Robinson works really well coming off the bench as a specialist. Hopefully Dawkins just finds his legs, because he's a more rounded player.

Agreed about Spike. Until Irvin is back at full strength and trusts his 3, they can't be on the floor together. A real shame about Spike. He was money from 3 his first two years and now he just won't shoot it.

My guess is that Wilson gets spot minutes and Donnall falls out of the rotation completely. Chatman doesn't look like he's about to turn any sort of corner either. Assuming Walton is healthy, I think we're gonna see Walton and LeVert with Rahkman backing, Irvin and Dawkins with Robinson backing, and Doyle and Wagner splitting the 5 minutes with Wilson getting an occasional minute or two in foul-trouble scenarios. Spot time for Spike unless they decide to just shelve him, in case they can get a redshirt.

Yeah, it's probably wishful thinking that one of the deep reserves is going to break-out. Then again, MAAR was a guy that I thought was a sure transfer-candidate at this time last year. I think he started to show a little bit even before Walton's foot problems removed him completely from the line-up. It Doyle had better hands and feet, I'd say there's no chance of Donnal or Wilson taking his minutes. I guess he is giving enough to have Coach Beilein keep him in as the (somewhat token) starter. He's on a short leash, though, which I like. Pretty much after any fumble from Doyle last night, Mo was sent in.

[Hannibal]

Irvin looks like he's nowhere close to 100%.

Little surprised that Dawkins hasn't made more noise so far this year.

[hack]

MAAR should be given every opportunity to flourish, given he can get to the rim and defend.

Agreed about Doyle. He's got to at least make up for it on the glass, but in time his fumbling is going to kill the pick and roll. It would be absolutely wonderful if the light suddenly went on for Donnall, because he's a better rebounder for sure.

Bacari Alexander is the assistant who works with the bigs. Since I've been watching very closely I can't say any big has really made strides here. McGary was a giant ball of delightfull chaos the whole time. Morgan was Morgan for four years. Horford was Horford. Now we have Donnall and Doyle looking like carbon copies of last year. I don't know if I'm being unfair or not there.

[*JD*]

It's an interesting question. For what it's worth, Horford's numbers didn't improve much under Billy Donovan either. His points per minute went up and his rebounding per minute, FG%, and blocks per minute all went down. That's as a 5th year senior that went to a place that would use him more to his liking.

[Hannibal]

Two women announcers doing the game today. Oh joy.

[Mike]

Fuck you, Houston Baptist!!! You SUCK!!