Michigan Basketball: Survival 101 – Michigan Still in the Hunt
Posted at 8:00am — 3/6/2011
Michigan Basketball: Survival 101 – Michigan Still in the Hunt
It was billed to be a physical game and it was. It was stated that Michigan needed to survive the physical Spartans and the Wolverines did. The seven point win puts the Michigan basketball team in good stead to make the big dance, some say in, some say probable, and some say Michigan needs one more win.
Regardless, Michigan has moved itself from the looking for crumbs and hope lonely heart club to a legitimate tournament contender. Seven and eleven was a reasonable prediction for Michigan this Big Ten season, and nine and nine is an accomplishment for this bunch of young players.
Now the Wolverines cannot relax but must think greed and go for more. This is after all human nature, and the only way in sports. But first let us take a look back at an exciting day.
Michigan, as has been the pattern lately, came out smoking and built an early lead. In this stretch the ball went inside and good things happened. Michigan State, on the other hand, again had trouble finding the bottom of the hoop. The tough play of Michigan State brought the game back and Michigan’s fortunes deflated as Jordan Morgan picked up his 2nd foul and went to the bench. Michigan abandoned the inside game, took some ill-advised three’s and held on after Hardaway Junior went to the bench after taking a shot playing defense.
The second half saw more ill advised threes but also some tough play from the Wolverines. Hardaway came back, Morgan contributed more time, and most everyone had a shining moment. The moments were team oriented and will never show up in the score-book. Michigan’s players held their ground as the taller, and more physical, Spartans went over the back time after time. The results were not pretty but good enough to get the job done and eventually a couple of calls were made late that helped seal the game. The second half also saw Morris play under good control and Hardaway again making key foul shots.
In the game preview the question was asked whether or not Michigan could match defensive intensity with the Spartans. By and large the mission was accomplished. Although not physical, Michigan is playing tougher and going after rebounds with more aggression.
The team is playing smarter as well, but some instances in the game again demonstrated how mental processes can turn on and off. Besides the bad threes, taken when not needed and under duress, Morgan fouled on the old Jud Heathcoat weave 25 feet from the rim. After letting Michigan State get the ball to half court with no resistance late in the game, the Wolverines pressed and fouled in the backcourt letting only one second run off the clock with a lead. It seems obvious that better end-game preparation is a reasonable remedy.
Michigan rose from the ashes of a 1-6 league start. Although better play from all has been obvious, the play of Hardaway Jr. must be considered as a tonic for the ill. Hardaway is athletic enough to play with stiff competition, skilled enough to create scoring opportunities, tough enough to make the big shots, and competitive enough to be the difference in a win. What a great signing for Coach Beilein. While players like Novak and Douglass contribute and have high value, both have reached their athletic ceiling, Hardaway Jr. has plenty of future upside.
Congratulations to the team on a successful regular season. The coaching staff deserves rightful credit. The team has exceeded our high water prediction of 18 wins. But now, as stated before, it is time to get greedy and achieve even more.
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!