I got ripped for talking about our play in that Maryland game. We hit a lot of extremely tough shots and held on to win . Besides stone Maryland was off till late and we hit a ton of tough shots. Particularly down the stretch to win a big game. Even in that game we didn’t get good looks and we ran a lot of bad offense. It just happens we hit those shots.
Dawkins d is terrible but I’m surprised you don’t see how people like his offensive game.hes a great shooter and is very athletic. He hS shown the ability to become a go to scorer when it’s asked of him. Part of it is confidence. I really feel if he was looked to as our go to scorer like last year that he could step up and deliver. People other than um fans like myself see this potential and that’s why he was talked up a lot. Let’s hope he steps up and grabs the role we need him too as a go to option for us particularly next year.
I see the same thing for rahkman. The guy just needs to start to play with more confidence and look to score whenever he gets the ball. He’s one of the only guys we got who can create one on one. Right now I’m not sure it’s totally a lack of talent. We have no chemistry and I actually feel coach b isn’t getting these guys in the situations to best succeed.
I personally like our players individually. It’s just not working as a team. I’m putting that on our coaching/sets.
Don’t sleep on Dawkins and Maars futures. These guys can be winners in the big ten. Those two with Walton Irvin and Robinson have the talent to win. I feel like coach izzo could make this a very dangerous group. We don’t execute well or get guys open in spots to succeed. Bad screens,movement, cutting, decision making. We Are failing all over hence why we just swing the ball or dribble and handoff around the perimeter with no purpose till there’s five on the clock then boom one on one bad move and contested deep shot.
Final 7 games: Predictions
at Minny-W
Purdue-W
at osu-could go either way depending on what osu team shows up.
at turtle-L
northwestern-W
at wisky-L
iowa-L
That’s a record of 21-10 if they win at osu. Honestly I could also see them losing the Purdue game of course but thinking Michigan will get a game 1 Maryland type game against either Purdue or Iowa, maybe both HOPEFULLY.
I can honestly also see them with 12 losses by the end of the season also. They absolutely need to win the winnable games of minny, northwestern and osu…then of the other power 4 of purdue, the turtle, wisky and iowa the tourney chances will be much improved getting at least 2 W’s there.
Based on flimsy evidence the last couple weeks…as for the topic of making the Big Dance I don’t see it and say no. A lot depends on the other bubble teams also.
While there are no guarantees I think that:
Should Win: Minnesota, Northwestern
Toss Up: Ohio St, Wisc, Purdue
Probable Loss: Maryland, Iowa
The Iowa game will be interesting we played them well for the majority of the game without Caris and on their home court. Now we will be home and have Caris but they are still a great team regardless.
Where is this Purdue confidence coming from?!?! Not you Mgo.
Purdue has struggled mightily on the road in big ten play. Still, I don’t see us rebounding or getting stops vs them consistently enough to Beat them.
Need to pray they have an off night. They have a tendency to go cold for long stretches like us.
In the Power Rankings this week I wrote that Purdue doesn’t really do any thing well other than rebound on both ends of the floor. They played well yesterday, but still have a few issues I think overall. Bad matchup for U-M with some of the size obviously, but if Rapheal Davis or someone isn’t hitting threes then maybe you have a chance.
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I guess the question becomes the issues that Purdue has can they be exploited by Michigan? Davis might be the best defensive player in the B1G he’s capable of locking down Irvin or Robinson. The only reason it was even close was MAAR having the game of his life. I would say Michigan needs better play from Irvin/Robinson/Walton/Donnal who never showed up in their first meeting to have a chance.
And LeVert will most likely be back for that game 
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Two things that are for sure: 1) The simple act of Caris being on the floor will create some margin/spacing for the others to execute purely from the respect/gravity he demands, and 2) Even 20-25 more minutes of useable rest for others can have an impact and provide better flexibility (eg, one less Dakich turnover, etc)
Not for sure - what do we do with that extra margin/buffer? Need to get better shots, and need to make the ones that are good looks. Defensive mechanics and rebounding we will lose to probably anyone left on the schedule, but that doesn’t have to decide the game IF we are firing.
So far they have won the games they should and lost to who they should. I see them winning tonight and against northwestern. If we have a healthy in shape levert I got us beating Ohio st and Wisconsin. I know it’s the kohl but I don’t care.we could also lose both games. It really depends how we react.
I hope they go to Aubrey early and often. I think he’s shooting well enough to help spark the offense. Especially if Duncan.stays cold, I hope we go to him eArly and often. I’d also like to see maar stay aggressive and look to drive. Sometimes I think their both pSsive because they don’t feel it’s their role or place to be looking to take s lot of shots. I’d like them to have their mindset like late last year. No need to take a backseat to Irvin or Walton. We need all four attacking. Together the potential is there to score a lot of points and right this ship.
One thing I’ll say: Michigan needs to root for PSU and NC State down the stretch. If both of those teams can crack the top-100 the resume looks a lot better. Currently they are both out of the top-100 which means that U-M has two top-100 wins. That’s not good, it’s really bad.
OSU/Wisconsin road games would help and then obviously the three games against top-half teams. Need one, maybe two of them.
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And one other thing… I thought Michigan’s resume was weak with only two top-50 wins. Indiana has only PLAYED two top-50 teams.
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The fact that there is this arbitrary cut off of top 50, top 100 is kind of ridiculous. I think KenPom wrote about it, but let’s say the season ended today and NC State finished 101 and Penn State 103. Our resume would look “really bad” with only two current top 100 wins, when it would look significantly better had each of those teams moved up 2 or 3 spots…
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Wow…How is that even possible…
Having no losses against teams outside of the top 100 rpi is an accomplishment. Over half of the current top 20 rpi teams have losses from teams outside of the top 100 rpi. In the big ten only Iowa, Maryland and Michigan have no losses outside the top 100…Assuming losses against Purdue and Maryland, at this point, I would be happy if Michigan could finish the season with wins against NW, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. I don’t think that will be easy…If Michigan can win those three games will we be safely in the tournament? Any opinions?
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I think they will be in if they win those 3 games. Especially because two are on the road. But to be safe might have to win one in the B1G tourney.
I don’t see Michigan winning either OSU or Wisky. Defense will do them in on the road
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It really is going to be a big challenge to win just those 3, imo.
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If Michigan can win two more games and then one in the B1G tourney, they’re basically a lock to get in. Any other win (or if they can get another really good win) is about seeding. Less than two more wins in conference play and it’ll be a nervous time on the bubble without a deep B1G tourney run.
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Agree that this is absurd. This is a bigger problem than the RPI IMO. The arbitrary grouping of opponents.