Michigan Basketball: Duncan Robinson has career night vs John Beilein

Former Michigan basketball standout Duncan Robinson continued his stellar season, scoring 29 points against John Beilein’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

There was a time when it didn’t seem likely that Duncan Robinson or John Beilein, two key members of Michigan basketball‘s run to the national title game in 2018, would ever participate in an NBA game.

For Robinson, who joined Michigan basketball after starting his career in Division III, it seemed really unlikely, while it also didn’t seem like Beilein would leave the Wolverines anytime soon.

Of course, we all know what happened. Beilein flirted with the Detroit Pistons and then left last May to take up the challenge of rebuilding the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Robinson, on the other hand, worked his way into the NBA after going undrafted in 2018. First, he earned a two-way contract with the Miami Heat and now he’s a rotation player with a two-year deal.

Last night, Robinson’s Heat met Beielin’s Cavs for the second time in a week and for the second time. The Heat got the win.

Robinson scored 11 points in the first matchup, which is right in line with his season average, but against Beilein’s team last night, the former Michigan basketball standout scored a career-high 29 points and drilled nine 3-pointers in the process.

Robinson took all 15 of his shot attempts from beyond the arc, but still made nine and he has now connected on three or more treys in four straight games. For the season he’s 44 percent from deep and 48 percent overall.

It was Robinson’s third 20-point game of the season and it’s now clear that he’s becoming one of the most important role players on the Heat right now. His shooting is spectacular, while his defense and rebounding continue to improve.

Obviously, it was fun to see Robinson and Beilein on the same court again. Robinson played an integral role in the back-to-back Big Ten Tournament championships Michigan won and his willingness to come off the bench and do his job, will always be remembered favorably.

It’s fitting that now Robinson is doing the same thing in the NBA. His career consists of just 28 games right now, so he has a long way to go but as long as he keeps shooting the ball well from 3-point range, he will have a home in the league.

The Heat is also 10-3 and one of the big surprises early in the season. Most of the credit will go to Jimmy Butler, but Robinson can’t be forgotten. After watching him can nine 3’s, his old coach won’t forget him either.