Nov 25, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) drives the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at Barclays Center. Villanova Wildcats won 60-55. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Posted at 10:00pm — 11/27/2014
Michigan Wolverines Basketball: Villanova vs. Michigan — Recap
Our Gang — Michigan Loses To Villanova
Common sense would dictate that the Oregon and Michigan match up was close to a toss up. Both teams had similar styles and plenty of youth; both teams had guards that could close out a game. So, 4-1 after playing a very strong Villanova team can be summed up as predictable.
Oregon did not take care of the ball enough to pull out a win, but did expose Michigan’s easy to predict weakness, the failure to block out and prevent easy offensive rebounds by an opponent. Oregon is a team similar to Michigan, fun to watch, but smaller than the typical team Michigan will soon face. Michigan had a chance to bury Oregon, but as is familiar was not up to the task. Again as quite familiar, Michigan’s end game was sufficient to protect a win.
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This Michigan team will rely on youth more than the previous two years. While everyone wants instant success for the freshman class, the reality is time and tough times will occur before this class meets muster.
Kameron Chatman was considered a high potential guy out of high school. Whatever it takes, and whatever method is used, Chatman needs to work on understanding the game. He looks like a guy who has realized that college ball is warp speed compared to the past cozy high school gym and competition level.
Ricky Doyle has hipped some folks, got a few offensive rebounds, shows some Wisconsin like ability to mix it up, and has committed freshman like, unnecessary fouls. He has potential, but the evolution of average inside players takes time.
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The new so-called big three (only because there is no fourth in site to join the group) all are on track to be high assets to the 2014-15 team.
Derrick Walton Jr. is still the guy who hangs out and figures out where rebounds are heading. He is also the quickest jumper. Walton is solid and does not mandate himself being second fiddle.
Caris LeVert has the ability to get a shot off anytime he wishes, and his timing has been better lately. Unfortunately, he may have to place a higher percentage of prayers off of the board this year, as other options of last year are not available. Caris appears to be a guy totally at peace with himself and loving what he is doing.
Zak Irvin appears to be melding his game more to the team concept. He will shoot, and that is all right, he needs to shoot. But he appears to be attempting to pay attention to team defense.
Busting Brackets
The length of those young arms is apparent when watching Michigan’s defense. While Michigan still is late getting back to a shooter by overcommitting and making fouls 25 feet away on defensive hedges, the arms inside show the ability to create havoc and therefore turnovers.
This team is simply a work in progress. The usual Beilein team looks different from November to February, more so than the typical team.
Remember this, it will be a small piece of paper between 4th place and 9th place in the Big Ten Conference.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu
Go Blue — Wear Maize!