Starting Nunez makes sense because you want other guys to get accustomed to their roles. That means Livers at the four, DeJulius off the bench, etc.
That way when Franz comes back, nothing else really changes.
1 Like
Might need to upgrade your seats. Thought Simpson was masterful in both halves.
5 Likes
Howard said after the game (talked about this in 5 Takeaways) that he wants them to protect the rim though.
Yep, I doubted and still doubt Livers potential as a playmaker and passer but maybe underrated his tough shot making ability. Michigan just needs him to score right now.
1 Like
Hard to figure your logic here Dylan. If this is all predicated on planning for Franzâs return, wouldnât you want to keep Nunez on the floor for longer than 11 minutes? I think the more logical explanation is that Nunez shoots light out in practice and Juwan wants to give him a chance to do the same in a real game. Nunez does seem uncomfortable out there.
As far as your comments on my seats go, I donât think you will find many people who thought Z was awesome in the first half. You did notice that we were losing at the half, right? Hard to do when your sparkplug is having a great game.
Nunez starting keeps the rotation intact for the first 10-15 minutes of the game. Thatâs all it does. The fact that Nunez isnât playing more minutes (and he hasnât done anything to warrant more minutes) makes me think that the decision has to do with the rotation.
Iâve suggested the same reason for Nunez starting. It makes for the least disruption to the rotations when Franz returns. NBA teams frequently do the same thing. For example, 3rd string PG Frazier started for the Pistons went Jackson went down.
4 Likes
Simpson had 8 points on perfect shooting with 6 assists (accounting for 9 of Michiganâs 15 baskets) and 2 turnovers in the first half. He played a fantastic game in both halves.
Michigan was outscored 7-3 in the 3 minutes that Simpson sat in the opening half.
8 Likes
Simpson was awesome in the first half.
2 Likes
Responsibility of the point guard is to make the offense flow. The offense didnât flow great in the first half. Several of Zâs passes really took Michigan out of itsâ rhythm. I dunno Dylan, would you even concede that Z played better in the 2nd half?
Dylan what is the protocol for injury report updates and stuff like that in college basketball? Is the program obliged to give updates or will only info come from reporters asking JH in press conferences
1 Like
Program doesnât have to give out any info
X has been making those passes for at least all of last season and they generally always get through. I think you can put this to rest just looking at his turnover numbers for the past two seasons.
JB would never allow that.
He didnât allow that with just anybody, but he trusted X with the ball and thatâs why he played 38/39 minutes a game last year. Either way, JB coaches the Cleveland Cavaliers, it doesnât really matter what he would or wouldnât have allowed.
The 30 or 40 foot cross court pass was not masterful, and I think X after watching the tape would agree. And by the way, I thought overall X was masterful and played a great game, and I am a huge fan, but that pass was completely out of character for him, I thought. And I again, I am as certain as I can be that, in the film session going over last nightâs game, X put his hands to his head, and said, âOh my gosh! What was I thinking?!?â
In MrLGâs defense, X certainly didnât make such a pass in the second half, and he probably wonât the rest of the year! Please donât view this as an unfair criticism of Zavier Simpson. Even the BEST of players occasionally makes a mistake. What I think is important is what one does about the mistakes he makes. My dad once told me that is the difference between a man and a boy, âwhat he makes of the mistakes that he makes,â and I deserved to be told that, because I had made a mistake, much bigger than a bad pass in the heat of the moment that led to a turnover. X was pretty near flawless in the second half! 
2 Likes
Didnât say Simpson played a perfect half but heâs in a role where heâs being asked to be more aggressive and is the only bonafide playmaker on the roster. He was the best player on the floor by a wide margin.
4 Likes
Absolutely! Not a perfect game, but really good! Agree.
Howardâs gotta stick up for his guys, but letâs be honest, Teske was simply beat by his man a few times in the first half. Didnât have anything to do with him trying to block a shot.
I think I wrote exactly that @Nick. I donât think accounts for all of the rebounds though, and I think larger positioning issues from Teske and others probably play a part.
You said âHe played a fantastic game in both halvesâ, pretty close to saying he played a perfect half, no?
I dunno Dylan, you just seem to like to disagree with me.
1 Like
Has nothing to do with you. This is the comments section on an article largely about how well Simpson played. And I spent the morning writing another story about how well Simpson played.
2 Likes