MICHIGAN'S MEN'S BASKETBALL: 2015-2016

[Cody_Russell]

Minnesota fans expected better than Tubby Smith when they got rid of him.
Hasn't happened.

[*JD*]

Michigan played hard through the whole game and that carried the day. Their jumpshots just weren't falling. They still were solid on the glass, tying Minny in total rebounds and got more offensive rebounds than the Gophers. Donnal got in foul trouble, which hurt as far as points in the paint goes.

I'd give them a C+ overall. Lots of good looks that just weren't falling. On to Nebraska!

[hack]

I don't think the defense was as active as it could have been, but it's great to win a game like this in which your main tool isn't working.

[*JD*]

By the way, who knew how close Mitch came in 2013 to helping out Flint....

[Hannibal]

Any word lately on Caris?

[*JD*]

I can't really find any recent updates about Caris.

[Kstat]

At this point I'm just not counting him as part of the team. The kid is made of glass.

[hack]

Too bad. He should have declared for the draft. If he can't get back out there who is gonna draft him?

[Hannibal]

But a couple of weeks ago he was day-to-day and was going to try and play in a game if he felt okay in the pregame warmup? Don't understand what has happened there and the program has gone ominously dark since then.

[hack]

Agreed. Given the lack of information IMO its best to consider him gravy at this point. Which I think is OK. Michigan isn't going to win because it piles up an even greater talent advantage on the wings. It's going to win best on its defensive effort and based on continued better play inside, primarily from Donnal. There will definitely be situations where LeVert being able to put the team on his back would really help, but they can and should achieve their goals without him.

[Kstat]

I don't buy that LaVert was ever a first round pick despite what the mocks said. Durability was his red flag from day one and he's never shaken it.

[hack]

Yes. Right out of the womb it was clear he wasn't going to be able to stand, much less stand up to the rigors of 82 games a year.

[hack]

Make your damn layups!

[hack]

Refs today make refs look competent on other days. Quite the accomplishment.

[hack]

Need to keep the lead. Don't see Michigan running away from Nebraska, but needs to play from ahead. Dakich is right that they shouldn't be so frenetic. Take transition opportunities but don't push iffy ones.