As I said a while ago, this year was about enjoying a team that was pretty good, not great. 23 wins, including four wins against top 35 teams in both kenpom and RPI (two Sweet 16 teams), only one loss to a team outside the top 35 in either (@OSU). A tourney appearance ensured by a big-time, clutch win against IU, who in there last 10 have won against KY, PU, MD, Iowa (twice), losing only @MSU and to us. That was a gutty victory, especially considering it was in Indy and we shot 29% from 3. Overall, not a great year, but pretty good, especially considering (a) the team lost both seniors, including (1) their best player and (2) last yearās co-mvp and probably the most confident guy on the team, (b) Irvin was coming off offseason back surgery, and (3) they only had two players with junior eligibility, including no bigs.
The ND game was frustrating because suddenly a Sweet 16 berth seemed so attainable, and because a couple calls and breaks seemed to go against us (and they made seemingly every bail out shot), but in the end the team probably ended up appropriately to how they played. If they hadnāt made the tourney it wouldnāt have changed their improvement late and their quality wins, but if they made the Sweet 16 it wouldnāt have altered the low points and inconsistencies.
Next year has the potential to be significantly better. Weāll have to see if thereās any attrition, although JB has talked about having everybody back. The team will have a bunch more upperclassmen. Zak should be healthier and stronger. Walton had his ups and downs but averaged 12, 5, and 4 over the year and I have a feeling will take on some senior leadership. The rest of the perimeter should be more consistent. Duncan Robinson, who shot 45% from 3 for the year but slumped, ended with 41% (11-27) from 3 over his last five games, and was getting more good shots at the rim (like the key and-1 near the end of the IU game). MAAR scored double digits in his last 6 games and at least 9 points in 11 of his last 12, and shot 37% from 3, a big improvement. Xavier Simpson looks like he could be special and should at least allow the backcourt to rest. Chatman showed growth and Dawkins is still a 44% shooter from 3.
I donāt think weāll be dominating down low, but Donnal showed he can be pretty solid, averaging 11 and 5 in B1G play, and he had more offensive rebounds than Zach Auguste in the ND game, and Wagner showed potential to be pretty good. A junior Doyle would be a pretty solid third big off the bench. Wilson still has high potential, depending on where he ends up.
The defense was obviously nothing great this year, but it did improve significantly toward the end ā and this is often the biggest area of improvement for upperclassmen.
Finally, Iām not interested in hashing over tired arguments about JB and the program and Iām not going to respond to certain posters. Iāll simply say itās pretty clear that JB is going to be here several more years, and if you canāt enjoy this era of Michigan basketball, itās pretty much on you. 5 out 6 years making the tourney, two B1G titles, an appearance in the championship game and another Elite 8. High character coaches and players, some potentially big time players coming in with guys like Simpson and Poole. We look highly likely to be a factor in the B1G with potential for tourney runs in the upcoming years. Try to enjoy it, I know I will.