yea been my take too Dot, im worried about the five athletically/defensively.
almost feels we’ll have to play small ball the majority of the time next year w/ current make up.
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Hunter and Austin are slow but big and will have trouble defending screens. Todd and Johns Jr. are athletic, but in Todd’s case he lacks strength and aggression to defend in the paint, and in Johns Jr’s case he’s simply too small. I think Juwan will have to adjust game-to-game based on matchups for that reason.
Regarding your comment on small ball, I think the general perception is actually the opposite. There’s people that have been clamoring for a Christopher - Franz - Livers - Todd - Dickinson lineup, amongst many other “big” lineups. Not saying I’d agree with such a lineup though.
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yep… if johns puts on 5-10 lbs he’s equivalent to omari spellman/moe wagner weight and can play the role of stretch five that can hit threes and drive bigs. so he will present his own mis matches. todd sliding in at 4 primarily with my starting five
eli
JC
wagner
livers
johns
now when you play a garza type, then ya throw my theory out the window, but still think it will take hunter time to come along
I keep going back and forth in my head how they’ll use their roster next year. On one hand, a starting lineup of Brooks, Christopher, Wagner, Livers, Dickinson (Todd, Johns, Bajema first off the bench) looks great.
But a starting lineup of Christopher, Wagner, Livers, Todd, Dickinson (Brooks, Johns, Bajema first off the bench) has so much potential that I almost want it to be that.
My guess is that by the NCAA tourney, the 2nd lineup is far more likely. And the size in that one is other-worldly. Christopher (6’4/6’5), Wagner (6’9), Livers (6’7), Todd (6’10), Dickinson (7’2).
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Not to be a naysayer, but I would bet Davis becomes a much better defender (with Howard’s 1:1 training) before I would bet Johns becomes a Livers-like plug-n-play and can cover the 3, 4, 5 without mental mistakes - that would be a large ask for someone that took longer than expected to learn his role.
I disagree. The physical limitations are the physical limitations. Davis will always be slow and lumbering and will never be able to move laterally no matter how much training he receives. Johns is an athlete and has already shown gradual improvement. No reason to think he can’t continue to improve as he learns defensive angles better.
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I don’t think people are expecting Davis to get faster or quicker, but more training and coaching can still lead to better positioning. That alone can still improve defenses and I would hope Davis can get better with that at the very least.
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No offense, but I think seeing that big lineup on the floor in one game would keep people from wanting to see it again. The one game experiment with Wagner at the 2 was enough for me this past season.
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Agreed, Davis wasn’t a good defender this season, but he was much improved. He learned how to play without fouling.
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It’s not guaranteed to work, but it’s also tough to use last year’s roster and how that went as a definitive reason to not do it this year. Christopher is capable of being a primary ball handler. Wagner has the quickness to guard smaller guys.
A big lineup next year could very well not work, but one game from the previous season shouldn’t deter the coaches from thinking about it or trying it.
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Davis and Dickinson pretty much have to play near the basket on defense so it seems inevitable that Johns will see time at Center. At the very least against teams like Wisconsin
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I think the Wisconsin game showed that we’ve been overestimating Livers and Johns’ defensive versatility. They’re really not equipped to defend guards. I have hard time imagining that UM’s best lineup next year won’t feature two guards (most likely Brooks and Christopher).
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Brandon Johns is a junior now. No more excuses for mental mistakes and lapses and I think he is really going to shine next year.
Also gotta give it up for Eli Brooks. Will be so much pressure on his shoulders next year as a glue guy senior captain guard to cap off a turbulent individual 4-year career. Now he’s arguably the most solid guy in the program. What college hoops is all about
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I’ve hardly ever seen it work for any college team. I don’t think Wagner can defend most guards, even less talented players. He couldn’t play the 2 last season and Livers isn’t at his best defending the 3. On offense, you’re putting almost all the ball handling responsibility into the hands of a freshman SG.
Sure, that lineup would present some matchup problems, but it comes with obvious liabilities that faster teams could exploit.
Going to funnel this discussion into the post today about the latest roster moves because it is hard to moderate both threads and keep track of the conversations.
Let’s continue the discussion there:
https://forum.umhoops.com/t/five-thoughts-on-michigans-latest-roster-movement/8222/20
But honestly, that’s all we need if Christopher comes.
Yep, in the 11 Feb/Mar games his lowest minutes total was 9 (vs Wisconsin).
I’m interested in seeing Wagner’s progress this season. True, his past scouting reports always point to questionable ball handling skills, but his shooting, passing, defense have also shown the potential to play at the 2 or 3 positions.
I do agree with you that Livers is better defending the 4 than the 3. And Wagner is better defending the 3 than the 2.
But for Livers to develop into an NBA caliber player, his path is going to be as a 3-and-D player … and at his height that means learning to defend NBA small forwards. IF Livers returns to school for next season, showing he can defend the SF position is the quickest way for him to improve his NBA stock.