Michigan vs. Maryland Game Thread 1/7/17

[deathroh]

They were probably better then...

I was about to say the same thing. You would see a difference; Irvin would be hitting three's and Walton would be finishing at the rim through contact.

Think back to the and-1 that Walton hit to beat OSU his freshman year. Compare that to the layup that he somehow made on Saturday, despite seemingly willing himself to miss. There are some serious confidence issues with these two. I know that Beilein puts a lot of stock into the mental makeup of his recruits, but I hope he's looking at more than just basketball IQ, because other intangibles have been lacking.

 

[thewolverines24]

I was about to say the same thing. You would see a difference; Irvin would be hitting three's and Walton would be finishing at the rim through contact.

Think back to the and-1 that Walton hit to beat OSU his freshman year. Compare that to the layup that he somehow made on Saturday, despite seemingly willing himself to miss. There are some serious confidence issues with these two. I know that Beilein puts a lot of stock into the mental makeup of his recruits, but I hope he's looking at more than just basketball IQ, because other intangibles have been lacking.

Irvin was good his freshman year because he played limited minutes. He was the 5th or 6th option on offense. Irvin only played 15 mins per game his freshman year.

Walton started, but he was better due to the fact that defenses were far more concerned with Stauskas, GRIII, and LeVert.

 

[deathroh]

To me Irvin's issues boil down to a funky un-repeatable shooting motion, as we've discussed many times, and a lack of confidence. I do think the pressure he seems to put on himself to be the man could be driving that problem, so the increased usage may be playing a role.

But with Walton, there were specific things that he was able to physically do that just aren't there anymore. It seemed to start with his ankle injury, but prior to that he was a very capable finisher close to the hoop. Now you can see the fear in his eyes any time he has a clear driving lane, and it doesn't matter if the defense is collapsing on him or if he's ahead of the pack on a fast break.

 

[deathroh]

...but yeah, with Irvin I'm with you for sure. Probably 80% of his shots his first year were open three's, where he had his feet set for an eternity. We don't really see those from anyone any more and a lot of it boils down to the lack of respect given to anybody with the ball, notably Walton.

 

[thewolverines24]

To me Irvin's issues boil down to a funky un-repeatable shooting motion, as we've discussed many times, and a lack of confidence. I do think the pressure he seems to put on himself to be the man could be driving that problem, so the increased usage may be playing a role.

But with Walton, there were specific things that he was able to physically do that just aren't there anymore. It seemed to start with his ankle injury, but prior to that he was a very capable finisher close to the hoop. Now you can see the fear in his eyes any time he has a clear driving lane, and it doesn't matter if the defense is collapsing on him or if he's ahead of the pack on a fast break.

I think Walton's issue are mental now as well. Injuries could have played a part in that, but he has absolutely no confidence going to the rim.

I still can't believe no coach ever fixed Irvin's shot.

 

[hungry]

I think Irvin plays lackadaisical at times. When he gets serious, he hits mid-range jumpers and passes well. Then after a few go in, he loses his mind, starts throwing the ball away and thinks he can't miss, but does miss badly...usually short. He just doesn't focus for a full game.

Walton is just garbage for the whole game now.

 

[dubbsco]

I know Irvin can make them, but there's nothing I dislike more than the 1 foot in front of the arch two-pointer. I wish he would have taken a role of attack the rim guy in his career, because I think he does that better than any other aspect of his game. He fell in love with his wonky shot.

Walton just doesn't do anything well anymore. For a point guard, he's not a good passer whatsoever.

I feel bad for Wagner. He seems to be the only guy on the team with consistent passion.

 

[thewolverines24]

I know Irvin can make them, but there's nothing I dislike more than the 1 foot in front of the arch two-pointer. I wish he would have taken a role of attack the rim guy in his career, because I think he does that better than any other aspect of his game. He fell in love with his wonky shot.

Walton just doesn't do anything well anymore. For a point guard, he's not a good passer whatsoever.

I feel bad for Wagner. He seems to be the only guy on the team with consistent passion.

Irvin's best skill, same as in high school, is his mid-range jumper. He's an inconsistent shooter from 3 and he's just not physical/athletic enough to finish at the rim all that well.

 

[UMRules06]

Irvin's a complimentary player end of story. Ideally he's a 2nd or 3rd option, with other guys drawing the most attention. He needs a guard like Burke who could drive and draw defenders to him, and then get the kick out for a shot. Creating on his own = bad news. He should not be the best player on any team that plans on being a contendor.

 

[dubbsco]

I'm not saying he's great at creating his own shot, but he seems to be kinda crafty around the rim. 6'6, long wingspan, he should have made that a big part of his arsenal.

 

[thewolverines24]

I'm not saying he's great at creating his own shot, but he seems to be kinda crafty around the rim. 6'6, long wingspan, he should have made that a big part of his arsenal.

Yeah he's 6'6, but he struggles to finish around big guys because he can't jump. They all have long wingspans down there too. If he would try to attack the rim all game against a team like Purdue, he'd probably go 1-12 from the field.

 

[dubbsco]

Good point. I forgot he can jump about as high as I can.

 

[thewolverines24]

Good point. I forgot he can jump about as high as I can.

Yeah it's fun watching him try to dunk on a fast break. He either gets rejected by the rim or has to lay it in. It's unreal. I'm about 6'1 or 6'2 and I could dunk in high school and college. I just can't wrap my head around someone being 6'6 and not being able to easily dunk.

 

[dubbsco]

I've seen people in person that are 7 feet tall that can't get above the rim. Either they were born with no athletic ability, or just timid because they are so skinny that their knees will shatter upon any jump.

 

[thewolverines24]

I've seen people in person that are 7 feet tall that can't get above the rim. Either they were born with no athletic ability, or just timid because they are so skinny that their knees will shatter upon any jump.

Hahaha. I think one of those guys plays on our team. Mark "David Robinson Jr" Donnal. He's not quite a 7 footer, but he can't jump over two nickels.

I'm just so salty with this season. I'm sick of watching the program regress. I really thought this program was going to be good year in and year out after the Big 10 titles, championship game, and Elite 8 appearance. Instead we are sliding down a cliff to mediocrity.

 

[dubbsco]

I'm more confused about how they smothered a 14-3 SMU team. If they played today, SMU would win by 50.

 

[Michchamp]

man, sounds like you guys really hate the players on this team!

 

[UMRules06]

Don't hate them personally. Hate the fact that this is where we are as a team/program right now.

 

[deathroh]

man, sounds like you guys really hate the players on this team!

I do strongly dislike Irvin. There are numerous reasons, but the most recent example was after he threw a bad pass to Wagner on a pick and roll, Mo went up to talk to him as they were going in to break, and Irvin just straight up ignored him and kept walking. Maybe Wagner was speaking German or something, I don't know, but the number of times I've thought "ugh, what a bitch" about Irvin is astounding. And yes, talking about how much I dislike a 21 year old whom I watch play basketball on tv is kind of pathetic, but oh well. I really can't stand the dude.

 

[Michchamp]

I do strongly dislike Irvin. There are numerous reasons, but the most recent example was after he threw a bad pass to Wagner on a pick and roll, Mo went up to talk to him as they were going in to break, and Irvin just straight up ignored him and kept walking. Maybe Wagner was speaking German or something, I don't know, but the number of times I've thought "ugh, what a bitch" about Irvin is astounding. And yes, talking about how much I dislike a 21 year old whom I watch play basketball on tv is kind of pathetic, but oh well. I really can't stand the dude.

if you walked up to me on the basketball court and said "Dummkopf! Den Ball besser beim n?chsten Mal. Sie h?ren mir zu, ich bin der gr??te Spieler im Team!" I'd ignore you too, even if you were die ?ber player on the team.