Posted at 4:00pm — 1/19/2011
Michigan Basketball: One System’s Triumph
GBMWolverine stated in the Northwestern-Michigan preview that this would be a game of two systems. One system, the Princeton high post cut of Bill Carmody, easily prevailed over John Beilein’s self-made offensive scheme.
Granted, Michigan is young, but this road trip provided some much needed home love for Indiana and Northwestern fans. There is much that can be put on the visitors’ yearly highlight film. The past two games have been similar to the love-fests fans have for the Washington Generals.
So, what to say (again) and what to analyze? As mentioned in the preview Michigan could least afford to let Shurna get off hot, and if this happened Northwestern would close the first half up by double digits. This indeed happened, as Michigan again could not guard the perimeter. Unfortunately the Wolverines could not guard the deep post as well.
Northwestern did indeed bring out the pivot for passing and screening (always will of course), but clearly Coach Carmody saw a rare opportunity for the Northwestern offense, that is, to beat up another team inside. Several times the low block play of Northwestern yielded easy points. The other staples of the Princeton offense worked as well: set up quick and fire on the perimeter if not challenged; pick and roll, and run “old-fashioned cuts from many angles. To add injury to insult, the Wolverines were beat off the dribble on both the baseline and 45-degree wing cuts. There was not much else that could go wrong on defense.
The defense was continually out of position due in large part to really nice passing and causing all type of movement from the defenders of Michigan. Youth is a factor and this type of system is tough to prepare for in only one day. Still, Michigan runs similar cuts and angles in its offense.
The offense was somewhat mediocre again due to average shooting and more unwillingness to get the ball inside early in the game. Again, later on Morgan got some looks, but blew some foul shots and a sure two dunk.
The announcers mentioned that Michigan is tired. The view here is that no team should be tired enough to play that uninspired. Below are a few summary points, none to make any fan giddy.
It was good to see Stu Douglass have a chance to control the ball some and have a nice game, doing something other than throw up fade-away threes. He made some nice moves to the hoop ala Morris. It is hard to tell a point guard not to shoot a three, but clearly Morris is deficient from this range (something for summer ball). Smotzy – same old thing- he is getting on the job training- nicest way to put it. Hardaway Jr. needs to work this summer on the all-around game- but make no mistake he is a nice talent.
Minnesota comes to town playing pretty good basketball. The next question is how well home cooking will help UM this weekend. For now, pack the bag, get on the plane and go to class tomorrow. This is a tough time for a coach with a young team; sympathy is of no use, but neither is putting a team in the tank with coaching actions and words. There is a midpoint and it is not as obvious as one would think. That is what the Michigan coaches are thinking on the plane tonight: what to do. Usually work hard and get over the hump.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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