Where did our team go? It looked like the moment got to us. Chaundee and Johns were the only two who acquitted themselves well at both ends. Davis gave a big boost in the second half. Eli did a fantastic job on Juzang in the second half, and the defense was pretty sound for most of the game. But the offense was lacking in many ways.
Dickinson was inefficient. He got so many post touches but not a lot of finishes. To compound matters he was 1-4 on free throws. Hunter has to work on going to his right during the off season. He's too easy to guard when he only goes to his left hand. As I mentioned, Davis gave us great minutes in the second half, but the key guys have to show up. Davis brought some toughness that I thought we were lacking.
Franz was off on his threes, including a near airball in the next to last one. I don't fault him on the last one because he just had to launch it with only .5 seconds. He was unable to drive the ball effectively and looked indecisive. He had an easy layup and put back that he missed. There was a period in the first half where our offense consisted of Johns going to the basket. Johns worked his butt off on defense, too. He's bee pretty consistent in the post season.
Smith was badly outplayed by Campbell. He forced some shots early in the game when better offense really could have opened up a significant lead. 9 first half turnovers were killers. That was a lost opportunity that cost us. Smith bricked two free throws just before that half. His clutch three late in the game was his one bright spot. He could have bailed us out if that three in the last minute had not rattled out. But it wasn't to be. Campbell was tough, better than I thought. His mid range shots, the little scoop shot with Wagner on him, a corner three and his floor game were huge, given that he was the only guy in double figures beyond Juzang.
Eli needed to take a couple of threes that he passed up. We were so determined to get Hunter the ball that the rest of the offense seemed to go stagnant. For his part, Hunter did not look to pass out of the paint, although they were not doubling him much. This is the game where no Livers finally caught up to us. 49 points doesn't happen with Isaiah at the three point line.
We had a ton of chances to win this game. We should have. Beilein says that you need some luck to get to the FF. But we just needed to make some plays that were there. This loss, like the wins, was a team effort. A bunch of guys had to play below their capability.
UCLA will not get past Gonzaga. I saw them today, and they brushed aside USC with ease. I love this Michigan team, and they have achieved a lot. It's been a great ride. Juwan has a lot to be proud of. And a big job ahead. Time for bed.
Dickinson was inefficient. He got so many post touches but not a lot of finishes. To compound matters he was 1-4 on free throws. Hunter has to work on going to his right during the off season. He's too easy to guard when he only goes to his left hand. As I mentioned, Davis gave us great minutes in the second half, but the key guys have to show up. Davis brought some toughness that I thought we were lacking.
Franz was off on his threes, including a near airball in the next to last one. I don't fault him on the last one because he just had to launch it with only .5 seconds. He was unable to drive the ball effectively and looked indecisive. He had an easy layup and put back that he missed. There was a period in the first half where our offense consisted of Johns going to the basket. Johns worked his butt off on defense, too. He's bee pretty consistent in the post season.
Smith was badly outplayed by Campbell. He forced some shots early in the game when better offense really could have opened up a significant lead. 9 first half turnovers were killers. That was a lost opportunity that cost us. Smith bricked two free throws just before that half. His clutch three late in the game was his one bright spot. He could have bailed us out if that three in the last minute had not rattled out. But it wasn't to be. Campbell was tough, better than I thought. His mid range shots, the little scoop shot with Wagner on him, a corner three and his floor game were huge, given that he was the only guy in double figures beyond Juzang.
Eli needed to take a couple of threes that he passed up. We were so determined to get Hunter the ball that the rest of the offense seemed to go stagnant. For his part, Hunter did not look to pass out of the paint, although they were not doubling him much. This is the game where no Livers finally caught up to us. 49 points doesn't happen with Isaiah at the three point line.
We had a ton of chances to win this game. We should have. Beilein says that you need some luck to get to the FF. But we just needed to make some plays that were there. This loss, like the wins, was a team effort. A bunch of guys had to play below their capability.
UCLA will not get past Gonzaga. I saw them today, and they brushed aside USC with ease. I love this Michigan team, and they have achieved a lot. It's been a great ride. Juwan has a lot to be proud of. And a big job ahead. Time for bed.
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