Highlight tapes are currency. Not necessarily for NBA evaluators or opponent analysts in charge of breaking down games, but for social media outlets and individuals who want to increase their click rates. If you’re putting together one for Morez Johnson, Jr., here’s a labor-saving tip: just post the first half of the Michigan v Rutgers game on Saturday, December 6th.
As a further service to the social media community, here is an itemized list. Note that he was subbed twice, so you can edit those three or so minutes. As a matter of fact, keep the editing to a minimum so you can show how he gets in position and communicates with his teammates, especially on defense.
19:39 Defense: Cover the wing clear out
The possession starts with Johnson and Nimari Burnett sorting out who to defend, then he takes the one Yaxel Lendenborg tells him to. He then switches on four different opponents, as per Michigan’s defensive system. With the clock winding down, Johnson is on Dylan Grant on a clear out, and he moves his feet and forces Grant to shoot over his outstretched hands.
17:37 Offense: Lay up from the dunkers spot
Not really a Morez Johnson highlight, but he efficiently puts away the nice Aday Mara bounce pass.
17:29 Defense: Anticipation steal
Defends a guard above the three-point line, and with Elliott Cadeau pressuring the ball, Johnson anticipates the pass and steals it for a put back on his own layup miss.
NOTE: Who guards the 3?
The question out there about Dusty’s big man line up is who guards the 3, AKA the small forward? Mara guards the 5, or center, and the assumption is that Johnson has the 4, or power forward, while Yax has the 3. Well, the past two highlights seem to indicate that Johnson can guard the 3. This bodes well, very well, for the switching D, and not so well for opponents in general, and, as the highlights will continue to indicate, Rutgers. However, when Mara is out, Johnson’s switches are minimal and instead of pressuring the pick and roll, he’ll go into drop coverage to protect the rim.
14:30 Offense: Hands and a tough finish
Morez Johnson has the ball at the top of the key, passes it to Roddy Gayle, Jr., moves to set a pick, but instead slips it. When his defender recovers, he catches a looped pass from Gayle, then lays it in. It was tough because a help defender had come over, and, instead of landing on two feet and gathering his momentum, Johnson jumped off his landing foot for the shot.
13:41 Defense: Steal off a corner double team
Michigan basketball has been working on transition defense, and one of the points of emphasis was communicating to make sure everyone is covered once the ball is stopped. Johnson tells Yax to pick up the wing and LJ Cason to guard the ball, while he gets the other wing. When the ball goes to his man, Cason shows his defensive instincts and doubles the ball. Johnson’s man is distracted, scanning the floor for the pass, and doesn’t protect the ball. Johnson takes advantage of this mistake and steals the ball. (Probably should edit out the subsequent ill-advised pass to Nimari Burnett.)
13:20 Defense: Blocks a jump shot
Another possession where Johnson switches multiple times and yells out assignments. Yax’s man, guard Kaden Powers, doesn’t take the open three and drives to the basket. But he sees Johnson lurking and pulls up for a jumper that Johnson swats out of bounds with his left hand. (Award degree of difficulty points for an offhand block.)
12:45 Offense: Another tough catch and finish
After Michigan gets a defensive rebound, Johnson runs to the dunker’s spot, Trey McKinney zips a pass, Johnson catches it, and lays it in. When Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell calls time out, play-by-play announcer Jason Horowitz says, “They have to figure out what to do with him. He has eight in the early going.”
9:40 Defense: Presence causes a wild shot and pitiful grunt
6’ 1” Cadeau is caught in a post up in the left block and is overpowered by 6’ 8” Chris Nwuli. Johnson moves over and by jumping straight up with both arms raised, Nwuli throws up a no-hoper, adding a sound that falls on the ref’s deaf ears.
8:55 Offense: No dribble catch and layup
In a pick and roll with Cadeau, Johnson catches the bounce pass and attacks the rim without dribbling. Another tough finish, this time over 6’ 8” Romanian Denis Badalau who slid over. “Man, that is a strong take! And Johnson is in double figures already. They’ve had no answers for the 6’ 9” 250 lbs. sophomore,” says Horowitz, auditioning to be the spokesperson of the Morez Johnson, Jr., Fan Club.
7:42 Offense: Another pick and roll with Cadeau
Johnson pins the defender and converts the bounce pass from his point guard.
6:52 Defense: Physical rebound
Johnson sends the opponent flying, who yells a pitiful “Hey!” LOL.
5:35 Defense rim protection and tough rebound
With Johnson in drop coverage off a Rutgers pick and roll, Harun Zrno attacks the rim, and Johnson jumps straight up extending both hands, which causes Zrno to throw a nice pass to a teammate for a 3. Johnson wins the battle with Zrno for the missed shot.
5:20 Offense: First made B1G 3!
Cadeau drives to the rim then finds Johnson alone behind the arc beyond the top of the key.
Now, hit the pause button for a sec because those who arrived early for the pregame shootaround saw Johnson working with a coach in shooting from that specific spot at that specific rim. He took at least two dozen shots, most of which were misses. Eagle-eyed observers would’ve noted that his shooting elbow wasn’t under his hand and that the release point was inconsistent; sometimes he shot on the way up or on the way down.
Hit play and Johnson’s elbow was still out but the rhythm was comfortable, and the release was at the top, holding the hand up to ensure a smooth finish (and a pose for a poster, which would be good for a few clicks). Swish!
Horowitz, “Johnson, left alone and he drills it! He has done EVERYTHING here in the first half.” Emphasis, Horowitz.
5:01 Defense: Awareness is rewarded with a steal
Top of the key pick and roll and Johnson is in drop coverage. Lendeborg recovers back on his man (Rutgers didn’t attack the rim) and Johnson switches back to his, nullifying the pass. He stays square to the ball and when Cadeau doubles and knocks the ball through Yax’s legs, Johnson grabs it and starts a transition opportunity ending in a 3 for Yax.
3:58 Jason Horowitz officially becomes Johnson’s spokesperson.
“There may not be a person in the Big Ten–maybe the country–with a motor like his.”
3:29 & 3:28 Defense: Alas, he is human
Johnson’s motor does run down, however, and gets back-to-back reach-in fouls. Michigan Coach Dusty May subs him out for the rest of the half. He was obviously tired, but that’s what happens when you give your all for the team.