Team came out motivated in the Big Game Maize and were ready from the opening tip - nice to get back to high level competition and see that sort of performance.
Really liked Simpson's play today - he played 39 minutes - he's had 25 assists and 4 turnovers in the last 4 games - been really impressed on the new elements around the basket for this season - glad he is still willing to take a good look 3 pointer - goal is 33 percent - take 3, hit 1 - his FT shots looked smooth today - who knows - he's 5 for his last 6! - hoorah
Thoughts Brooks was a little gun shy today - had a few good open 3 looks, but only took one - don't really need a ton from him - his best role is hitting the open 3, running offense, getting ball to guys in good spots - keep machine going - going to be a very good career 10-14 minute bench guy at Michigan
Poole was a stud - I realize Langford may be more NBA ready physically and athletically, but way too many guys fizzle out who come in as athletes and you hope they learn to shoot - Poole could step into an NBA game this week and contribute 15 minutes and not stick out like a sore thumb - unless he takes another step or 2 into a soph Stauskas level play, I do think he will return, but we said the same about Stauskas early his soph year
Great game by Charles - put good tape out there for the NBA guarding a projected top 10 pick - showed diversity in his game - scoring, defense, rebounding - he's the perfect 3rd banana on offense - he took 15 shots today, but I can't really put my thumb on a single "my turn" shot - sometimes he just decides its his turn to shoot and he takes a questionable shot - has been getting better at avoiding that
It's hard to even notice, but I think Iggy has hit a mini freshman wall, and he's still playing well - the wall being he's on the top of the scouting report - he's driving into more traffic and more eyes focus on him and he has less space on the 3 point line - teams are respecting that - he's in the process of tweaking and reacting and is going to finish strong
Teske hasn't had a huge game in about a month (South Carolina) but he's perfectly blending into the offense and a force on defense
Will be nice to have Livers back - a few times J.Morgan got loose on the 3 point line and nailed it - you have Livers and probably shuts down a lot of that outside shooting that he had today - Livers has been playing tremendous basketball - shooting 47 percent from 3
Then there was Brandon Johns - was confident we would see it at some point, and there's going to be a lot more frustrating play mixed in with impressive play, but at least he now has some foundation to build confidence on - he can put in his head forever that on national TV against Indiana he played great - nobody can take that away from him - have the luxury to give him a 2-4 minute "line-change" - make a few plays, come back to the bench and recap with the coaches - with 16 regular season games, there will be plenty of chances to continue today's progress.
This team's ceiling is the point where you say "they should start Johns" - I'm not saying that, Beilein isn't saying that, and it won't happen, but at the point where it at least becomes a debate, that's when this team could be unstoppable - likely won't reach there, but if it did. Kid is a long/strong athlete - reminded me a bit of Dawson today from MSU back in the day - but Johns can shoot - he's now only becoming comfortable playing inside - he was a perimeter player in HS - most scouting reports said if you can get him engaged/light a fire in him, he has unlimited potential - a stronger version of DJ Wilson? Who knows, it's one game, but the future is bright.
I was happy to see Dejulius get a few minutes - while he is a luxury at this point, but you still want him pushing Brooks for minutes - he's still on the Beilein point guard curve, but each practice and each week he will be closer - there will come a point where we all say that he should be the backup - there may even be a night when someone posts maybe he should start - it won't be a sound argument, but when it's said, that will mean he's flashed and brings something to the table
I've nicknamed Davis "cement shoes" but he's actually been effective in the last 2 games - he did pick up 4 fouls in 4 minutes today, but if Johns is playing well, you only need Davis in emergency situations - i'll take his 4 fouls in 4 minutes if it means sending Happ to the line for 8 shots and Wisconsin gets 3 points on 4 possessions
With an effective Johns and healthy Livers, you might see a minute breakdown as follows
Teske - 28, Johns 7, Livers 5
Iggy - 27, Livers 13
Matthews - 33, Iggy 7
Poole 34, Brooks 6
Simpson 35, Brooks 5
Next 2 games (Illinois and NW) are should wins - 82 and 87 percent according to KenPom - despite some struggles in the past, I think we beat Wisconsin on their floor 3 of 5 times right now - I would not be surprised or disappointed if we go into the game 17-0 and leave 17-1 - if they hit a ton of 3's and we shoot 3 for 15 then they will win, but I am not afraid to hand Happ 25 points - will be interesting how we mix Teske and Livers - going to leave Johns out of it for now
Teske presents a better match-up on D, but Happ would have trouble chasing Livers around on 3 point line - question is always do we send help and let him find open shooters or give him his 25 points - I tend want to not double him as the plan, but bring a 2nd guy on occasion to grab a steal
We will loss a few times, but just for fun I hope Duke loses first and we get to be #1 for a week or two - we play Wisconsin on the 19th, they play Wake Forest, FSU, Cuse and UVA between now and then - let's hope they drop one
Really liked Simpson's play today - he played 39 minutes - he's had 25 assists and 4 turnovers in the last 4 games - been really impressed on the new elements around the basket for this season - glad he is still willing to take a good look 3 pointer - goal is 33 percent - take 3, hit 1 - his FT shots looked smooth today - who knows - he's 5 for his last 6! - hoorah
Thoughts Brooks was a little gun shy today - had a few good open 3 looks, but only took one - don't really need a ton from him - his best role is hitting the open 3, running offense, getting ball to guys in good spots - keep machine going - going to be a very good career 10-14 minute bench guy at Michigan
Poole was a stud - I realize Langford may be more NBA ready physically and athletically, but way too many guys fizzle out who come in as athletes and you hope they learn to shoot - Poole could step into an NBA game this week and contribute 15 minutes and not stick out like a sore thumb - unless he takes another step or 2 into a soph Stauskas level play, I do think he will return, but we said the same about Stauskas early his soph year
Great game by Charles - put good tape out there for the NBA guarding a projected top 10 pick - showed diversity in his game - scoring, defense, rebounding - he's the perfect 3rd banana on offense - he took 15 shots today, but I can't really put my thumb on a single "my turn" shot - sometimes he just decides its his turn to shoot and he takes a questionable shot - has been getting better at avoiding that
It's hard to even notice, but I think Iggy has hit a mini freshman wall, and he's still playing well - the wall being he's on the top of the scouting report - he's driving into more traffic and more eyes focus on him and he has less space on the 3 point line - teams are respecting that - he's in the process of tweaking and reacting and is going to finish strong
Teske hasn't had a huge game in about a month (South Carolina) but he's perfectly blending into the offense and a force on defense
Will be nice to have Livers back - a few times J.Morgan got loose on the 3 point line and nailed it - you have Livers and probably shuts down a lot of that outside shooting that he had today - Livers has been playing tremendous basketball - shooting 47 percent from 3
Then there was Brandon Johns - was confident we would see it at some point, and there's going to be a lot more frustrating play mixed in with impressive play, but at least he now has some foundation to build confidence on - he can put in his head forever that on national TV against Indiana he played great - nobody can take that away from him - have the luxury to give him a 2-4 minute "line-change" - make a few plays, come back to the bench and recap with the coaches - with 16 regular season games, there will be plenty of chances to continue today's progress.
This team's ceiling is the point where you say "they should start Johns" - I'm not saying that, Beilein isn't saying that, and it won't happen, but at the point where it at least becomes a debate, that's when this team could be unstoppable - likely won't reach there, but if it did. Kid is a long/strong athlete - reminded me a bit of Dawson today from MSU back in the day - but Johns can shoot - he's now only becoming comfortable playing inside - he was a perimeter player in HS - most scouting reports said if you can get him engaged/light a fire in him, he has unlimited potential - a stronger version of DJ Wilson? Who knows, it's one game, but the future is bright.
I was happy to see Dejulius get a few minutes - while he is a luxury at this point, but you still want him pushing Brooks for minutes - he's still on the Beilein point guard curve, but each practice and each week he will be closer - there will come a point where we all say that he should be the backup - there may even be a night when someone posts maybe he should start - it won't be a sound argument, but when it's said, that will mean he's flashed and brings something to the table
I've nicknamed Davis "cement shoes" but he's actually been effective in the last 2 games - he did pick up 4 fouls in 4 minutes today, but if Johns is playing well, you only need Davis in emergency situations - i'll take his 4 fouls in 4 minutes if it means sending Happ to the line for 8 shots and Wisconsin gets 3 points on 4 possessions
With an effective Johns and healthy Livers, you might see a minute breakdown as follows
Teske - 28, Johns 7, Livers 5
Iggy - 27, Livers 13
Matthews - 33, Iggy 7
Poole 34, Brooks 6
Simpson 35, Brooks 5
Next 2 games (Illinois and NW) are should wins - 82 and 87 percent according to KenPom - despite some struggles in the past, I think we beat Wisconsin on their floor 3 of 5 times right now - I would not be surprised or disappointed if we go into the game 17-0 and leave 17-1 - if they hit a ton of 3's and we shoot 3 for 15 then they will win, but I am not afraid to hand Happ 25 points - will be interesting how we mix Teske and Livers - going to leave Johns out of it for now
Teske presents a better match-up on D, but Happ would have trouble chasing Livers around on 3 point line - question is always do we send help and let him find open shooters or give him his 25 points - I tend want to not double him as the plan, but bring a 2nd guy on occasion to grab a steal
We will loss a few times, but just for fun I hope Duke loses first and we get to be #1 for a week or two - we play Wisconsin on the 19th, they play Wake Forest, FSU, Cuse and UVA between now and then - let's hope they drop one
