After Beating Ohio State

That was a nice win on Sunday, for sure, for certain, for whatever. Some thoughts for the end of the season.

To me the worst defender on the team is big Moe. The two freshman children also have really bad moments. But in fairness to him, he is not a real five defender, cannot ever see this. It also seems to me that Coach Beilein is satisfied letting the ball get inside and letting Moe get backed, abused and whatever. It almost seems he is baiting/inviting the opposition to get the ball inside, preventing the three point game from getting much of a rhythm. Many of the opponent’s threes that have gone in lately have been tough, low percentage types.

Big Moe needs to know there is a difference between aggressive and stupid and aggressive and smart. There is a wrong time and maybe the right time. Michigan crowd loves his stick, but on the road and in a tournament bad things may come about. But at least he is not the sheep going to slaughter. With all of the garbage that the Big Ten allows, disallows, clearly Moe knows he gets no breaks: anything remote he gets whistled. Although finally about 3/4th of the way through yesterday’s game, the refs finally started to let Michigan bang the nuts a little. after Beilein rightfully lit them up for most of the game. Finally, big Moe has carried the load with tough rebounding this year.

I will take a guy like Robinson on a squad every time. His foot work on defense is nothing close to speedy or shutdown, he is a slow jumper, and a short jumper: but he understands the game and his defense seems to have improved when he started coming off the bench. Nothing to write home about, but getting into the somewhat acceptable bracket. Like MAAR, he is not afraid to shoot the make or break shot, hopefully he finally understands that he is far more accurate being a spot shooter, and gong to the hoop does not mean getting four layups a game blocked.

Simpson is a sweat hog that is not afraid to do some dirty work: and he will also mix it up if need be. Z does not seem to even be aware of style point point. His game is far from smooth and beautiful, but I do think he came to the perfect program for him. Whatever the discussion about free throw shooting he relates the ball too far in front, due to holding and releasing the ball too low. He simply needs to be more vertical in a good knee bend and extend where the follow through is up and not out. He gets whipped enough, but makes up for it on steals and getting the lead on points off of turnovers. Not sure how you fix his shooting woes, including missed layups. Although in fairness, he gets hammered often enough with no results.

Matthews, I bet half of Michigan’s turnovers result from Matthews or something he did that may cause a turnover soon after. without his four or so turnovers per game the last few games, Michigan would be incredible in the turnover department. Turnovers were probably the winner for Michigan as Ohio State decided to have their share, similar to  Michigan State. Cannot give up on a guy like Matthews, he is the best athlete, but right now far from the best basketball player on the team.he needs to understand what he is best at and start from there. Coach Beilein has made a mission of showing him what he is worst at the last month. One breakout game may be what it takes, but he also gets canned too much at the rim. Free throws, too stiff, too scared: via the rim, one short routine, focus and up. Like Simpson his bend elbows and knees could use much work.

The children they are a little full of themselves and that presents a minor dilemma for Coach Beilein. Once in a while, horrible shot just to get a shot, because they have not shot (for a while); once in a while doing things on offense they are not yet good at doing. BUT, when both number two and number four (the grand Butt-head look) find their spots, and let instincts make good decisions, they show a future as above average offensive players. The defense hopefully improves.

Jon Teske clearly the most improved on the team, even given he is now only a decent 10 minute middle guy. Last year I had serious doubts as to whether he could do anything except give fouls. I believe Jon sees the defense evolving better than big Moe. He seems to understand, have vision, and perception of what is needed out of him. The refs are starting to let him play a little defense and not call a foul on him for walking or breathing. He has clear physical limits, but also fills his role.

MAAR, MVP for me. Tough, focused, very even keeled and that is important. He may miss the big shot, but he has maybe the best chance of hitting the tough, low percentage shot a team needs at the end of the clock, half, or game. He is simply and effective, no flash type who must be an absolute joy to coach.

The team: Michigan won a near war Sunday, but Penn State will probably be a bigger war. That team is very well coached, has had enough talent to play top teams even or win, is tough at home, and the guard match-ups do not look good. Coach Beilein needs to get these guys prepared, maybe more mentally than physically. It will be interesting to see if Beilein changes his recent offensive modes or keeps the status quo going. Michigan will lose if it loses the offensive rebounding war, like against Tate. Michigan’s best bet is start fast, figure out where the money play is and decided to play even harder on defense. The Big Ten would like nothing better than to position the three borderline teams with a series of late season upsets. Of course, that would be mere coincidence.

Anything can happen with this group come tournament time, as is the case with almost all teams ranked anywhere between say 5th to 55th. Open season this year in the NCAA, no supers, and not many gimmes.