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Michigan Basketball Doesn’t Actually Need Zak Irvin Back

By Tyler Fenwick

Feb 25, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Zak Irvin (21) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers guard Ryan Cline (14) and guard Dakota Mathias (31) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Zak Irvin (21) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers guard Ryan Cline (14) and guard Dakota Mathias (31) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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He’s been talked about as being a missing piece for Michigan basketball, but the Wolverines have demonstrated that Zak Irvin is not a vital instrument.

The fall of Zak Irvin has been a sad one to watch for Michigan basketball this season. A very promising talent at one point, he seems to have fallen off the face of the earth, unable to contribute in a substantial way for the Wolverines.

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To be clear, we’re talking strictly about scoring points here. Irvin’s value—maybe this will shock you—extends beyond his ability to put the ball in the basket. He’s an improved defender and underrated facilitator in the offense, but we’re constantly talking about production as it pertains to points, so that’s where we’ll stay.

As Irvin hit this scoring slump of his, he began to turn down his volume by taking less shots and having fewer possessions end with the ball in his hands.

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Irvin has scored in double digits in three of the last four games (with his four-point performance in the win over Purdue ending the streak). His efficiency has been grainy, but once again, he’s not taking as many shots as he used to. Shooting 2 of 6 is a lot better than shooting 4 of 12.

We’ve pretty commonly talked about what Michigan needs from Irvin going forward. As weird as it might be, maybe the answer is not much.

If you count Irvin’s dead streak as starting with his scoreless game against Michigan State on Jan. 29, then Michigan is 5-3 with one of its  so-called key pieces not doing a lot of scoring. And if you want an even brighter picture of what’s going on, the Wolverines have won five of their last six (and two of those have been against Wisconsin and Purdue).

Their most recent win against the Boilermakers has, by many accounts, all but secured a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Now, I’ll say it again: Irvin is not dead weight to be tossed overboard. Not only is he making himself useful in other areas, but Michigan does not have fantastic depth to where he can be benched for half the game with positive (or even neutral) results.

But for those wondering what the Wolverines are capable of doing in the postseason without his scoring, it seems we’re getting to the answer to that. Michigan hasn’t collapsed in his absence; it’s actually surged (though I’m not suggesting correlation equals causation in this case).

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Maybe anything Irvin gives beyond a handful of points from here on out will be considered a luxury.

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