by Wayman Britt. I hope he doesn't mind me posting his comments. I really enjoyed them. See below.
I know that UM did have have their two seniors this year, but not making the tournament is unacceptable for a program with the resources (new faciliites, coaches salaries, etc.) like UM. Some posters may think this is too harsh. but coach John Beilein, needs to look at his whole program and make tough decisions:
1. One of the assistants needs to take a head coaching job, it's time for them to make a name on their own merit. Accordingly, bring in a defensive teaching specialist. Beilein has to improve his team's defensive. Beilein needs to be self aware and realize he needs help teaching defense.
2. Follow Harbaugh's lead and practice roster maintenance. Ask 1 -3 players to leave/transfer, this doesn't say that these players are bad people, they just don't have the talent to play in the Big Ten and definitely not to be a top 4 team in the Big Ten. All top programs do this. You can politically do this the right way. Why sit for two years when you can start at another program.
3. Recruit quicker, speedier players. You can still recruit unathletic three point shooting players, just not all the same type of player in the same class.
4. Ensure Poole stays committed to UM. By all accounts he has real talent and other programs will come calling.
5. Bring a player or two who are a bit nasty and have some swagger. Somebody who is not afraid to get dirty and wants to use basketball to improve themselves.
6. Get rid of the automatic benching at two fouls in the 1st half. If you know you are going to be benched you are not going to play tough defensive after one foul. You will lighten up on playing aggressive defense, it's just natural.
I know that UM did have have their two seniors this year, but not making the tournament is unacceptable for a program with the resources (new faciliites, coaches salaries, etc.) like UM. Some posters may think this is too harsh. but coach John Beilein, needs to look at his whole program and make tough decisions:
1. One of the assistants needs to take a head coaching job, it's time for them to make a name on their own merit. Accordingly, bring in a defensive teaching specialist. Beilein has to improve his team's defensive. Beilein needs to be self aware and realize he needs help teaching defense.
2. Follow Harbaugh's lead and practice roster maintenance. Ask 1 -3 players to leave/transfer, this doesn't say that these players are bad people, they just don't have the talent to play in the Big Ten and definitely not to be a top 4 team in the Big Ten. All top programs do this. You can politically do this the right way. Why sit for two years when you can start at another program.
3. Recruit quicker, speedier players. You can still recruit unathletic three point shooting players, just not all the same type of player in the same class.
4. Ensure Poole stays committed to UM. By all accounts he has real talent and other programs will come calling.
5. Bring a player or two who are a bit nasty and have some swagger. Somebody who is not afraid to get dirty and wants to use basketball to improve themselves.
6. Get rid of the automatic benching at two fouls in the 1st half. If you know you are going to be benched you are not going to play tough defensive after one foul. You will lighten up on playing aggressive defense, it's just natural.
