NCAA 2021: Michigan vs. UCLA Open Thread

Franz had a terrible game on both ends but why would he turn down millions of dollars to come back to school during a pandemic when he won’t be able to do much because of the NCAA? Franz is already a very complete player, sure he could become a more consistent and efficient shooter/scorer but NBA teams really only care about talent and potential, which Franz has a ton of.

So how does this team get better open looks from behind the arc moving forward? Seemed that well dried up quick without Livers. Does the roster next year have a better makeup to get that to happen?

It’s probably a bottom 1% outcome too (about a 15% confidence interval for that), haha. I’d put the Illinois and Oakland games in that 5% bucket as well.

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I just…really wonder what Eli was thinking on both of those behind his head shots at the rim in this one. I get that he’s just trying to make a play but if he takes that last one back out I guarantee you we get a higher percentage shot out of it.

Overall a lot of examples of players doing things that seem rather inexplicable for them.

If points are fungible, Mike Smith makes the two free throws before the half, we win the game.

FML to the moon.

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I played varsity sports in high school and college, sometimes in bad conferences. Winning a championship means something to a player, period. It means you succeeded in what you spent so much time on. It’s the fans who sometimes decide these accomplishments don’t mean anything. Glad for the Srs/those leaving that Michigan got a championship this year

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I was in a good mood until this news broke.

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Oh yeah. Or Hunter going 1-4 from the line. UCLA clearly has the best FT defense in the country though so no shame there

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Well, turns out everything that could possibly go wrong for a team on offense can indeed go wrong.

Gutted for Franz and Mike, I know that’s not how they wanted to go out. Losing is ALWAYS harder when you beat yourself.

Please let me know if any of you guys find a healthier way to invest your happiness than the mental and physical volatility of 18-22 year olds.

Cheers to a year that managed to somehow both far exceed expectations and totally crush all happiness. Twas a good run and I think Juwan has a few more left in him

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Namaste my friend

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I need to get the Click remote so I can skip through football season to the next basketball season

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Caleb Houstan will help with that

i might watch about 5 minutes of Gonzaga - Baylor before I get annoyed and find something to do.

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It is pretty sad. Burns for sure. I felt like a lot of the offensive woes were self inflicted.

Not sure whose more upset tonight, um fans or the tv execs, yikes at that final four draw

I thought Franz was fine on defense. Seemed like he was guarding Jacquez or Bernard most of the game and they finished 3-16 from the field. Gave up a tough basket to Campbell and a corner jumper to Juzang off a switch but that’s about it

Just brutal. You hurt for the team because you know this game…was not representative of the bulk of the season. Look at the box score it’s…dreadful.

My biggest take away is Michigan does not have an “iso-ball” guy that you can give it too in a pinch and say, make it happen: an Ayo a Duane Washington, a Trey Burke type; that’s either going to get a bucket or atleast draw you a foul.

And on one hand that’s partly why we had such a successful season, when one of 6 dudes might go for 20 on any given night. But if I’ve learned one thing watching this run and a few other games, having a guy (like Jusang did on his baseline drive) that can manufacture his own shot…is pretty important.

I can’t wait for next year, with Juwan at the helm and the #1 recruiting class in the land incoming…plus you know we’re gonna hit that portal for a gem or two…we’re only going to get better. I think in another year or two we’ll look back at this years team and wonder how they did so well being so limited from a size and explosiveness standpoint at the guard positions.

My $0.02 on Franz is he’s going to be a fine B level nba player, I doubt think he’ll ever be a starter, unless you count summer league games. He’ll play longer in the league than Mo. But he’s a second or 3rd banana guy, doesn’t have the killer instinct, the swag to be a monster. Has the physical tools to be elite, but not the mentality. It’s been a pleasure watching him, im so happy he came to Michigan despite committing when we didn’t have a coach.

I hope he gets drafted by a good nba team
And makes many millions.
Represented the university well :+1:
Onward and upward baby the future is blindingly bright

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We would have won if the game was at 7 /s

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A bunch of rambling thoughts:

I liked the Mike Smith shot. I thought it was in. I’ve been saying all year he would hit a huge shot in March. Tyger Campbell barely contested it.

I also thought both Franz shots were in. Can’t believe one of them didn’t go. Brutal game for a great player.

I thought Juwan made some weird decisions. Davis was great but we were losing with 7 minutes left in an elite 8 game running offense through Austin Davis. We didn’t have Franz on Juzang for big stretches early. Chaundee Brown hits the (only?) big shot of the game and immediately subs out. 10+ minute stretch in the first half where Dickinson didn’t touch the ball. Franz was clearly soooo off and we run the last play down one through Franz? As good as the staff’s FSU showing was, I don’t feel that they did much tonight to put players in positions of success, other than hoping guys start making shots.

Not opening up a bigger lead early was killer. Had the chance to slam the door shut immediately and just…didn’t.

So many little “not our night” mistakes. Turnovers, offensive rebounds allowed, hustle plays, fouling a three point shooter, missed free throws, etc.

Really sad for Eli and Zay to go out like this. What great careers.

First time since the Ohio loss that I felt like we lost to a team in the tournament that we were better than. And it hurts.

That will likely be the least talented version of a Juwan Howard Michigan team over the next five years.

We need dynamic backcourt shotmakers and we need them fast.

Madness giveth, madness taketh away.

Gonzaga by 35.

I love this community and this board. Thanks @umhoops and team for all you do.

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Franz was pretty excellent on D. Just a complete nightmare on offense for him. I still can’t believe he missed the bank shot running down the right side of the lane. Can’t believe it.

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