Wouldn’t call it a flop per se as there was some contact. Probably somewhat embellished by BM but a 0.0% chance you’re getting that call under the circumstances. Worked out for us but my heart sank when I saw the shot go up. That’s one you work on in the driveway.
Was gonna say the same thing re: AJax and Stew. Good call.
Sort of reminded me of the NC game where Houston didn't know how to slow down the game and use clock and it cost them.
This is the right framing, IMO. Our best 5 players are
I'll take your word for it. Those numbers are all Greek to me. I just know what I see, Stew has trouble keeping guys in front of him. He is better down in the blocks than out on the perimeter, IMO. Solo has trouble as well, but is improving, at least it seems that way to my naked untrained eye.
Solo is never not going to start. Issue is just that him and Mullins are kinda redundant, so if Solo isn't providing stuff beyond 3pt sniping/hunting shots, and Mullins is better at it, it's an imbalanced compliment. It almost feels like they are competing out there - I have seen Solo look off Mullins when he was wide open a number of times.
His defense has been a significant improvement over last season and the metrics support it. Hopefully one of our math nerds will show it. He also has significantly improved his driving to the basket and midrange game. This game is an outlier for this season.
That's a great call on JStew. He had a very good all around game against Marquette and the stuff like his dive on the floor to save that possession last night on which I believe we eventually hit a 3 do not show up in the box score. He's definitely playing more within himself now and doing a lot of the little things that we need a complementary player to do. I had ZERO issue with him being on the floor during crunch time last night and he was a key reason we won despite his stats not showing it.
I don't like hearing that. It is somewhat understandable that an established junior would not immediately defer to a freshman. Hopefully as Mullins establishes himself as a consistent shooter, he will earn Ball's respect. Solo has not been a consistent shooter from 3 but his drive game, midrange and drawing fouls in the paint is something Mullins has not show he can do yet, so Ball still adds an important ingredient. If Mullins wants to turn himself into second year Ray Allen, then maybe Ball becomes redundant, but that would be a good problem to have.
There's no way Solo is shaking off Mullins and there's no way he doesn't respect him. If he's missed him when he's open it's a question of Solo's vision, he would never in a million years try and keep down a teammate.
Maybe not, but a clear 2-1 break with Mullins sitting there with a wide open layup and you take it to the rim and miss is definitely an unusual dynamic. There's been others. Let's not forget about human psyche here - you have a freshman hotshot coming in to steal your thunder, could be a little bit there that doesn't want to share.
I just hate that logic....a foul is a foul no matter when it occurs. If that shot went in, this Board would still be in meltdown mode today over the non-call.
We are all human, but I trust Ball's character to figure it out. He seems like a terrific person. Did you see the story about the bond he developed with a sick child? That gave me all the reasons I need to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Why on earth are you trying to create drama when there is none and taking a shot at the character of a player who is nothing but a great kid and teammate?
I wonder if either Solo or Braylen are good enough to play for Michigan??
Dauster is another reactionary guy who tends to be captured by the moment which leads to some nonsense talk.
A year ago, or even a couple of months ago, I would have said you're right, but Stewart has really elevated his defensive game this year. Ball has also improved defensively but I would give the edge to Stewart at this point.
