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Michigan Basketball- Nothing But ‘Net – Week #05 – 11/25/2013 – So Close

The (#14) University of Michigan men’s basketball team played three games last week, and they won the first two and lost the last one, barely. All three of the games were in San Juan, PR, in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament. On Thursday (11/21/2013), they beat Long Beach State 85-61, on Friday (11/22/2013), they beat Florida State 82-80 (in overtime), and on Sunday (11/24/2013), they lost to Charlotte 63-61. The two wins and a loss leave Michigan with a record of 4-2.

The 1st round game against LBSU may look like a blowout, but UM only had a 9 point lead (61-52) with 9 minutes left. A 9-3 run by Michigan pushed the lead up to a more comfortable 15 points, and another 12-6 run put the game out of reach.

The 2nd round (semifinal) game against FSU wasn’t as close as it looks. FSU led most of the way, including a 16 point lead early in the 2nd half. UM kept chipping away at the lead, and finally tied up the game with 7 seconds left. Michigan took control in the overtime, and although the final score looks close, FSU scored a meaningless 3-pointer with 4 seconds left to make it a 2-point win instead of a 5-point win.

The 3rd round (championship) game against Charlotte was miserable. Michigan shot terribly, threw the ball away a lot, and looked very disorganized. They were down 12 points midway through the 2nd half, and they looked lost out there. Yet, somehow, they managed to fight back late in the 2nd half and tie the game up with 8 seconds left. Charlotte took the ball down, missed a layup, grabbed the rebound, and put it in for the win. It was a lousy ending to a lousy game.

Let’s look at the stats. First, the LBSU game: UM shot pretty well overall (31-for-58 = 53.4%), they shot pretty well from 3-point range (14-for-30 = 46.7%), but they didn’t shoot very well from the free-throw line (9-for-15 = 60.0%). They won the rebounding battle (34-30) and the turnover battle (10-16). Those are stats worthy of a blowout.

The stats for the FSU game aren’t nearly as impressive: UM shot pretty poorly overall (28-for-65 = 43.1%), they didn’t shoot 3-pointers very well (9-for-24 = 37.5%), and they didn’t shoot free-throws very well (17-for-27 = 63.0%). They did win the rebounding battle (39-34), which is impressive since FSU had two 7-footers in their lineup. Michigan also won the turnover battle (7-13). Those 11 extra possessions really helped Michigan win this game.

The stats for the Charlotte game are pathetic: UM shot terribly overall (19-for-61 = 31.1%), and they shot terribly from 3-point range (5-for-23 = 21.7%). They did shoot acceptably from the free-throw line (18-for-24 = 75.0%), but that wasn’t enough to make up for the lousy shooting from the floor. They lost the rebounding battle (40-47), but they won the turnover battle (13-17). It was an embarrassing performance.

Individually, only one player hit double figures in all three games:

  • Nik Stauskas – 24 vs. LBSU, 26 vs. FSU, and 20 vs. Charlotte. Nik scored the tying basket at the end of regulation vs. FSU, and he was the only reason UM had a chance at the end of the Charlotte game. He had a great tournament, but the rest of the team didn’t show up for the Charlotte game.

Two players hit double figures in two of the three games:

  • Caris LeVert – 20, 5, and 11. Caris had a decent tournament, but he came up short at the end of Charlotte game.
  • Glenn Robinson III – 14, 13, and 4. GR3 also had a decent tournament, but he was invisible in the Charlotte game.

Two players hit double figures in one of the three games:

  • Mitch McGary – 6, 14, and 6. Mitch is still getting back into playing shape after missing the first 3 games (and 2 exhibition games) of the season. He certainly isn’t the same player who dominated in the NCAA Tournament run last season.
  • Derrick Walton Jr. – 9, 15, and 0. See that 0? That’s the problem.

Several other players scored in at least one of the games:

  • Spike Albrecht – 2, 5, and 6. Not bad for the backup point guard.
  • Max Bielfeldt – 2, DNP, and 0. Max missed a couple layups vs. Charlotte.
  • Zak Irvin – 3, 2, and 8. It took Zak a lot of shots (14) to get those 8 points vs. Charlotte.
  • Jon Horford – 2, 2, and 2. At least he was consistent.
  • Jordan Morgan – 3, 0, and 4.

Andrew Dakich played in the LBSU game, but didn’t score.

So, what does it all mean? Should we be worried that Michigan played so poorly in the championship game vs. Charlotte? I think so. They have had a couple bad games now, and the team chemistry just seems to be off. They have enough talent, they just seem to disappear for long stretches at the wrong time. They can still fix things, and have a successful season, but they need to start heading in the right direction soon.

This Week

Since this is Thanksgiving week, Michigan only plays 1 game: on (Black) Friday (11/29/2013, 3:00 p.m., BTN) they play Coppin State in Crisler Arena. They shouldn’t have much trouble with them, unless they take them too lightly. Check back next week to see what happened, and why.

Go Blue!

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Michigan vs Ohio State THE GAME — Looking Back — The 2000 Edition

SPECIAL TO UMGOBLUE.COM

It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by, but here we are at the beginning of another week leading up to the game between Ohio State and Michigan. For the first installment of the series, we go back to the 2000 game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. That year, we were preoccupied with a controversy involving “hanging chads” in the Presidential election, the much-feared Y2K computer disaster had turned out to be much ado about nothing, and on the air waves, we listened to Carlos Santana team up with Rob Thomas for a sexy track titled “Smooth.” On the football field, Michigan football enthusiasts enjoyed what turned out to be the only year that Drew Henson would be the Wolverines’ starting quarterback, much to the chagrin of everyone wearing maize and blue.

The day of the game, an intense cold front hit everything from the Midwest to the East Coast, and pretty much remained through the Thanksgiving holiday. The 2000 game was the final game for Ohio State coach John Cooper, a very good coach who failed to embrace the bigger-than-life ferocity of the rivalry, and led his team to only two victories over Michigan in his 13 years at the helm, which resulted in his dismissal at the conclusion of the season. Ohio State fans reviled him; while Michigan fans loved him, and to this day many UM fans would happily take him out to dinner and ask to see pictures of his children and grandchildren, something that certainly can’t be said for Jim Tressel.

The game began with Nate Clements of Ohio State returning the opening kickoff 82 yards to the Michigan 18 yard line, and a few plays later, Jonathan Wells burst into the end zone to give the Buckeyes the early lead.

Momentum wore a scarlet jersey until 9:30 remained in the first quarter, when Henson threw a screen pass to running back Anthony Thomas, who got some key blocks from fellow seniors Steve Hutchinson and Maurice Williams, enabling Thomas to go 70 yards for a touchdown. Suddenly, the flow of the game changed significantly. Ohio State later regained the lead, but Henson’s early TD pass to Thomas woke up the Wolverines.
With less than two minutes to go in the game, Michigan led by five points on a critical fourth down near the Ohio State goal line. Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr showed a gumption he wasn’t known for, and eschewed an easy field goal attempt to go for the touchdown on 4th down and goal to go, and Henson faked a handoff to Thomas and sprinted around to the left side, scoring a touchdown on a naked bootleg that sealed both the Michigan victory and John Cooper’s fate.

The 2000 game marked the end of an era for both schools. Ohio State replaced Cooper with Tressel after the season’s end, and Ohio State got back on track. Henson, on the other hand, chose not to stay at Michigan for his senior season, opting to sign a contract with the New York Yankees, who saw tremendous potential for Henson as an infielder. Curiously, the late George Steinbrenner, longtime Yankees owner and a native of Rocky River, Ohio, began his studies at Ohio State before transferring to Williams College. In his final season at Michigan, Henson threw 28 touchdown passes and only 11 interceptions, and he never made the impact on his baseball that scouts thought he might. Had he stayed at Michigan, it’s fair to say that the Wolverines would have been much better in 2001. As always, thanks to my YouTube friend Wolverine Historian, and to the folks at ABC for yet another tremendous telecast of a classic game. Enjoy!

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Michigan vs. Ohio State: Can Brady Hoke Save the Rivalry?

Michigan heads in this year’s edition of The Game reeling, having lost four out of their last six games, while Ohio State is cruising. Michigan is a double-digit underdog at home versus Ohio State and has an opportunity for an epic upset victory over their great rival.

A victory would provide Hoke with a signature win and knock the Buckeyes out of the national title picture. It would also provide a needed jolt to a rivalry that is relying way too much on history to promote itself.

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M FOOTBALL 2013: WOLVERINE’S PROBLEMATIC OFFENSE CAN’T ANSWER 17 POINT SECOND HALF HAWKEYE OUTBURST: M- 21, IOWA-24

The Wolverines rolled into the University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium Saturday for a rare noon start on a cold and windy 23 degree day.  They were an underdog seeking to secure a much needed eighth win this season. That would have put them above 500 in Big Ten wins at 4-3, and would have helped solidify M’s bowl prospects.

They lugged this season’s considerable offensive baggage with them to Kinnick, but did not display it graphically until the second half. The offense needed the benefit of two first half interceptions of the Hawkeyes to produce short field situations, which facilitated posting 14 of their 21 first half points . The Wolverines intercepted three times during the game, and turned the first one into a TD. But the third and last interception, in the second half, was wasted.

The Wolverines were held scoreless in the second half where they simply could not move the sticks, or take advantage of a Hawkeye miscue. Credit Iowa’s defense to be sure, but M’s own offensive ineptness also contributed a great deal. The lack of an consistently effective running game, and consistently iffy pass protection is mind boggling. Most teams will lose games if producing a puny158-yards of offense. That the game was close was assisted greatly by M’s three interceptions.

Lack of field position stressed the defense in the second half, as the offense often could not move the sticks.  Unfortunately the D flailed around to no avail on Iowa’s first possession of the second half. Iowa hit a 55-yard TD pass, and it was suddenly Michigan 21, Iowa 14, and the air was whistling out of the Maize and Blue balloon on both sides of the ball. It was a game changer.

This was especially true on the offensive side, as the Iowa defense was suddenly recharged. The defense subsequently made a few good plays, especially in the form of Frank Clark, but they could retrieve a lead. Iowa now played over their mistakes. Clark had 2.5 tackles for loss. Raymon Taylor made a great diving interception which was reviewed with the interception being sustained.

The consistently inconsistent offense displayed that in spades in the second half.

The usually very sure handed Devin Funchess dropped a few critical passes. Devin Gardner turned the wrong way on a hand off to Derrick Green. Gardner fumbled on the sideline (the result of a rake by the Hawk’s alert defense, and Devin’s lack of ball security) with minutes left in the game. The recovery of Devin’s fumble by the Hawks ended M’s chances once and for all.

Devin threw for 98-yards, completing 13 of 28 and two TDs, with a long of 28-yards. Although his rushing yardage was limited to 12 net yards on 12 attempts (21-yards of losses subtracted), his rushing helped-sometimes. Devin Funchess nabbed only one pass for 2-yards and dropping several others. Jeremy Gallon had a TD catch, as did Tight End Jeremy Williams.

M’s offensive line had still not jelled in regulation against Northwestern, and provided only a basically effective running game in Evanston. The stunning last second reprieve provided by the field goal team, and the suddenly revitalized overtime Wolverine offense, did not hide the fact that the Wolverine’s offense has struggled remarkably since putting up 63 on the Hoosiers, and since Michigan State discovered the benefits of stunting A gap blitzes.

To recap offensive woes: Zero TDs against MSU. Zero TDs against Nebraska. Zero TDs against Northwestern in regulation. Zero TDs against Iowa in the second half. That’s 14 full quarters.  That  hurts their chances of achieving many of this season’s goals, even if they are gaining experience. The opponent’s defense overwhelming the M offense has happened too often this season. In the second half, Gardner was often hurried, although the stats say he was sacked only once. He sometimes couldn’t get his eyes down field as he was the subject of attack. No other offensive football team in the nation has lost as many yards this season as the Wolverines.

The OL did rise to the in the first half, enough to put up 14 points.

The miracle finish at Northwestern let Team 134’s character and fortitude shine through in three exciting overtimes, but the continuing inability of the OL to open running lanes, pass protect, and score against good defenses,continues to be a pertinent issue.

Iowa won the battle of statistics, as well as the game, by running and passing for 359-yards, to M’s 118. Iowa mistakes kept the score close.

First Quarter
M received, stalled, but the defense immediately put points on the board, as the Wolverines collared the Iowa QB and deflected a pass that Brennan Beyer intercepted.  He ran it in from the Iowa 7 for six. All EPs were converted on the day. It was M-7, Iowa 0.

Iowa’s FG holder mishandled a snap to prevent a three, but late in the quarter the Hawks evened it up on a five-yard pass, and it was 7-up. The defense could not hold the lead.

Second Quarter:
Then came a defensive stop on 4th down for the Wolverines, and a Blake Countess interception. In perfect position, Blake nabbed his 5th interception of the year and zipped to the Hawkeye 28. On a beautiful play, Gardner ran right, and stopping abruptly just before the LOS, tossed a 2-yard TD pass to a wide open A.J. Williams for his first collegiate catch and score. M-14, Iowa-7.

Taking advantage of a short field, M produced a 47-yard drive ending in a 9-yard laser shot to Gallon for a TD. M-21, Iowa-7.

With only 4-seconds remain in the half. Iowa got a 60-yard kick return, eventually resulting in a muffed Hawkeye FG attempt. Halftime score: M-21, Iowa-7.

Third Quarter: The second half belonged to the Hawkeyes. After receiving the KO, it took just three plays for the Hawks to score. The dagger was a 55-yard pass from Rudock to Smith, and old mo was theirs and never relinquished, with a quiet crowd exploding to life. M-21, Iowa-14.

The offense could not move the ball at all and Matt Wile got tired punting five times. A Ramon Taylor interception was wasted by the offense. The Hawkeyes didn’t waste time as the quarter ended.

Fourth Quarter:
Shortly, it was 21-21 on a 9-yard TD run.

It was over at about the six minute mark, as Iowa kicked the game winning 34-yard FG. Final M-21, Iowa-24.

M’s last ditch effort was depending on the capable legs of Devin Gardner.  Gardner struggled for every last yard, and the ball was stripped. Coach Hoke said afterwards he wished Devin had just stepped out of bounds. Not stepping out of bounds and Devin’s habit of not covering up the ball proved fatal to any last second field goal hopes, and another overtime game. Make no mistake, this was not Devin’s best game. Also, make no mistake regarding the effort and courage he puts into his role in M football.

It is remarkable that in the 11th game of the season that obtaining rushing yardage would be a question. That converting any third down, short or long, would still be problematic. That pass protection is still looks it was built like a sieve.

Is the problem play calling? Sometimes it appears to be. Is it a failure to take what the defense gives, a stubborn adherence to a philosophy? Something along the line of its my strategy, and I’m sticking to it? Is the scheme too complicated? Or is it poor technique by the offensive line, or their execution of the plays? If the execution is bad, scheme, or little else matters.

I suspect when a play fails, it may be a combination of factors. Scheme, technique, play calling, player execution, talent level, lack of experience, field conditions, even equipment failures such as wrong cleats, or injuries can all contribute. All are responsibilities of, and in the purview, of the coaches.

There is no excusing, hiding, or diminishing the mess that is the Wolverine offense. Lack of experience no longer is an excuse in the 11th game. In season tinkering with the offensive line continued through the Iowa game, and has not worked.

There is also no question whose responsibility that is. The responsibility of determining the how, the why,  and what to do to fix it, belongs to the boss, Head Coach Brady Hoke, and to OC Al Borges, and OL Coach Darryl Funk.

It will be the off season before the situation can be repaired. It appears there has to be some soul searching at that time.

I am not uneasy that Coach Hoke will not be able to solve the problem, and that he will have the will, the time and the opportunity to do so. The immediate concern is what can they do now, this late in the season?

Because next is the test by which Michigan footballers choose to measure themselves.

They of the expensive tattoos, and expansive record of consecutive wins, and a very storied, and only slightly stained program (according to them) are visiting.

I hope not to see a stadium filled with the Scarlet and Gray because M fans pedaled tickets because of the team’s struggles.

No doubt the Wolverines will be fired up, and will do their best to defend their pride, and ours. Still, the name Biakabutuka echos enough to wish he was still on the roster this season.

Hope to see you there.

Go Blue!