Michigan Wolverines Basketball: NJIT -- "WHO"

Posted at 4:00pm — 12/7/2014

Michigan Wolverines Basketball: NJIT — “WHO”

I am not spending time on this mess. But after watching the game, and during the game, the thought that coaching axioms are more than cliches became obvious (as always).

NJIT axiom 1-if you play hard good things happen. It has been a while since I saw a low ranked group scrap so hard and so long as NJIT did Saturday. They ripped balls out of UM players’ grip, dove, went to the boards, ect. At the start, NJIT’s turnovers looked like an invite to a rout, but UM could not function on offense.

More from GBMWolverine

NJIT axiom 2- play well and you can hang with better teams. NJIT did play well and should get as much credit as UM will gain blame. The shooting for NJIT was a key to the win. Michigan helped with poor rotation and a failure to get back on defense and give open looks when NJIT pushed the ball. It is annoying and very poor fundamentals when a teram hits a wide open shot after your team has a made basket. Irvin needs to get his butt back on defense instead of dialing his cellphone after a make. This has been a UM trait for all Beilein teams.

NJIT axiom 3- make it close and the big boys will start squeezing up. To some degree this happened.

NJIT deserved to win. This may or may not be as good as the team can play, but clearly that team came to compete and win, not just collect a paycheck. When you are circled on the calendar, like Michigan certainly was, better bring it.

More from Michigan Basketball

More disappointing than the typical defensive problems Michigan always displays was the absolute dysfunction of the offense. There was no symmetry, one dribbler going against two or three defenders and getting stuffed or having the ball stripped far too many times. Shot selection was at times poor and rushed.

Rebounders were flat footed, especially when it counted and the NJIT team hit Michigan up for critical offensive rebounds. Ky Howard played like a man possessed and to me he was the difference in the game. Caris may have shown that making the team depend solely on his ability to get off a shot will be insufficient for victory.

Live Feed

Rutgers vs. Michigan Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 /

Betsided

3 outside-the-box replacements for ousted Michigan State head coach Mel TuckerFanSided

Michigan State football: 5 candidates to replace Mel Tucker as head coachSpartan Avenue

Michigan State officially handing pink slip to Mel Tucker with causeFanSided

Michigan State football: 3 not-so-quick takes from rewatching Washington lossSpartan Avenue

Maryland vs. Michigan State Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4Betsided

This game had enough negatives to produce a how not to video. Michigan looked like a team that was not prepared, but coaching was not the cause of this loss Mid December is when teams with no history of success are scheduled, but UM is not even in finals yet. This game really shows how poor Syracuse runs an offense.

So, what to do? Cannot get too emotional, but clear flaws must be addressed, so to must any effort to feel sorry be squelched. I guess Kam needs more time, but every angle shot by this left-hander from the right wing is way left.

When a team gets a turnip like this, maybe dwelling on the result too long is a bad idea. After film work some tail into the ground and address every little mini error possible until the next jump ball. Things change, so we will see. This was the low floor on the elevator, it happens.

Please comment on our GBMWolverine Message Board about this article and read what others comment and give us your thoughts, agree or disagree.

Just a reminder you must be a member to participate on the Message Board. Here is the link GBMWolverine Register for those people interested in becoming a member.

You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine

Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Doc4Blu

Go Blue — Wear Maize!

Home/Michigan Basketball