Michigan Basketball: Deciding How Zak Irvin Will Be Remembered
Michigan basketball fans had a nauseating up-and-down relationship with Zak Irvin this season, so how might fans remember him now that he’s gone?
There was a stretch during Michigan basketball‘s season where if some fans could have had their way, Zak Irvin would have never worn a Wolverines uniform or even picked up a basketball again.
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I’m not talking about the “hero ball” thing; that was earlier. I was on board with that. Irvin was definitely trying to force some things, although it would be unfair to say he didn’t hit some big shots during his time at Michigan. But this “get off the court” stage brought more annoyance than it did anger.
Just search something like “Zak Irvin sucks” on Twitter and see what pops up.
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The stretch started with a scoreless performance against Michigan State on Jan. 29 and, by my best guess, ended sometime between March 1 (Northwestern) and March 9 (Illinois).
Everyone enjoyed seeing Irvin bounce back in time for the conference and NCAA tournaments. Starting with that game against Northwestern, he scored double-digit points in every game and shot better than 50 percent all but once.
Yeah, Michigan lost to Oregon in the Sweet 16, but would the Wolverines have even been in that game late without Irvin? Probably not.
So as great as his emergence was, it’s surely putting some in a pickle. Do you remember Irvin as they player who took a few too many ill-advised shots and scored exactly zero points in a loss to Michigan State? Or you do you remember him as a player who adapted late in his senior season to get his offensive groove back, all while being one of the better defenders Michigan put on the court?
If you ask me, this is easy. He had a lethal pull-up jumper, got a lot better at taking the ball to the rim and took on some tough defensive assignments.
Perhaps in time that will be the consensus. But for now, as far as the near future is concerned, I’m afraid too many fans are going to be rejoicing the fact that Irvin has played his last game in a Michigan uniform. They’ll ignore the bounce-back, the terrific moments, the stubborn defense—and instead they’ll choose to see a cold spell and someone who used to take too many shots.
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My very general observation tells me that appreciation for Irvin did grow in those final weeks, but it still looks like the “get off the court” folks are going to hold a majority. At least for a little bit.