Michigan Basketball continues to impress

At the start of the season, many people were optimistic about the Michigan basketball program. So far this year, the team has not disappointed.

They are 7-2 right now. The only loss that hurts right now is the Maryland game, because Michigan had a chance to win that game. It was a tough game, since it was the Wolverine’s first true road game. Getting another win against an ACC team would have helped, no matter where Maryland finishes in their league.

That being said, this team has really shown they can play good basketball. How long have Michigan fans been waiting to see THAT from this program?

It’s nice to see Kelvin Grady and Jevohn Shepherd have nice game recently and continue to show that Coach Beilein’s system successfully incorporate athletic players . They have taken to their new roles well, which can will only help this team.

Stu Douglass and Zack Novak have been playing very well at times, but fans have to remember they are freshmen, so expect good games and bad games. They both need to discover, and get comfortable with, their specific roles on the team this year. They both bring something to this team that was lacking for years: an outside presence. This makes DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris so much more effective because defenses will have to worry about the outside shot and will be unable to double team Sims and Harris, so they can pack it in the inside.

The addition of Laval Lucas-Perry makes team stronger, adds depth, and provides the Wolverines with a better chance against the Big Ten conference. I can not wait to see him finally get on the floor in a Michigan uniform. It seems like forever since he transferred to Michigan from Arizona.

Remember when there were comments about the “Princeton offense” not working at Michigan under Coach Beilein? Those doubters are very, very quiet right now now that the team is starting to successfully execute Coach Beilein’s system.. He is letting the kids play, letting them run whenever possible, and letting them take shots whenever they want as well. What player would not want to play in that system?

In regards to the 1-3-1 zone naysayers, who thought the system would not allow players to play, and hamper efforts to recruit better athletic players: this team is now demonstrating players DO have to be athletic in this zone defense and, to run this offense. Another myth busted.

As far a recruiting goes, well, pessimistic mouths are being shut as this season’s wins have started adding up. The more this team wins this year, the more recruits are going to take notice, if they haven’t already done so after the impressive wins against top teams such as UCLA and Duke. Recruits now can see for themselves that the program is turning around and do not have to take the coaches and players word for it.

This team needs to keep this momentum going. Beating a team like Eastern Michigan by thirty-one points shows this team’s focus and their desire to continue improving. They need to continue beating teams they’re expected to beat, like Oakland, Florida Gulf Coast, and North Carolina Central, before getting into the tough Big Ten conference this year.

Every win is huge for this program because it gets them a step closer to where we, as fans, want to see this team — in The Big Dance. The win against Savannah State might be the biggest win of the year because, unlike previous years, Michigan did not fall into the trap of falling behind, then failing to fight back to win. Sure, the Duke game is huge for the program nationally, but the Savannah State game could have killed the momentum and excitement the team had started to generate.

The Big Ten is taking care of business in non-conference games this year. This will help Michigan down the line. The Big Ten should at least get four teams into the tournament and could realistically see five, possibly six, teams get into the NCAA tournament. We’re hoping Michigan is won of them. It could happen, and if it does, it’ll be even earlier then many have predicted. Many people were hoping for a good run this year, culminating with an NIT appearance this. If things keep going the way they are, these fans will have to readjust their goals.

Let’s wait and see, there is still a lot of basketball to be played yet.

Written by ErocWolverine

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