Wolverine247 Board

Ya next year we will have some growing pains at PG. I think Walton along with Spike will do fine though. We should be a contender again next year with the young guys getting more experience and the other really good freshman. I've already conceded Burke and Hardaway to the draft. It would be huge if Robinson would stay for one more year, not sure it will happen though.

I know they have talked about this before, but Beilein is a coach that usually sets things up to allow for the point guard to create on his own, whether through passing or scoring. Morris did it primarily through passing and Burke has been doing much of it through scoring. I don't think there's any doubt that Michigan will dropoff at the point guard position next year. Burke is the kind of player that doesn't come around every year. However, Michigan has a great player coming in with Walton and will have the additional depth of Spike to assist him, something Burke didn't have in year 1.

Along with this, don't forget that the frontcourt will likely be a strength for this team next year. With Morgan, Horford, McGary, and Bielfeldt all returning and Donnal coming in as a freshman, there is going to be a boatload of talent there. You can already see the potential of players like McGary and with a summer to work, they should be even better. And finally, if Michigan is able to hold onto Hardaway, GR3 or both, the team should be even better and if they don't, they still will have Stauskas and LeVert coming back with the addition of Irvin.

Michigan will probably dropoff somewhat next year, especially considering the specialness of Burke, but they should be able to find ways to at least be a pretty solid team. Most thought Michigan could at least be Top 25 without Burke this season so with the addition of Walton, improvement of at least 4 of this year's freshman class, it's hard not to think they will at least be capable of achieving that benchmark.

I think and hope that Beilein will use more of a big man presence next year. It should be a strength of the time next year. Could easily be PG:walton SG Stauskas SF GRIII PF: Morgan C: Mitch. With Beilein loving a smaller shooter line up prob add Levert at the two and shift the rest back. There is just a lot of talented experienced big men on this team, will be hard to keep them on the bench.

I'd love to see that lineup. Irvin could be the 6th man. Or, we could put Irvin @ SG and make Stauskas 6th man.

Our depth will be crazy next year.

Oh yeah. In reality, Stauskas might even fit a little better there than at the 3, but in Beilein's offense, it doesn't make a big difference, especially in the smaller lineup. He should be good there and he has shown he can handle the ball and drive it, which will be huge if Hardaway leaves.

I also agree with the anti McGary + Morgan/Horford talk. Unless somebody besides McGary can improve offensively, it's just too much of an offensive hit to put them both out there at the same time, especially if GR3 is back. However, I wouldn't assume McGary immediately gets the 5 over a Morgan or a Horford. He has the body, but his jumpshot is starting to come along haha

It may be true about them not having enough offensive presence. Im just sick and tired of looking soft and getting out rebounded. One of reasons MSU is always good or always stays in games is because they play defense, are tough, and rebound the rock. The offense we run is so hot and cold. If were not hitting in the tournament we are done. Teams that have an inside presence stick around.

I played the 5 my whole life and it pains be to watch how much we shy away from any thing physical besides Mitch.

I would die to see a three man game with feeding it in and kicking it out. Instead we would rather dribble and take a step back NBA three.

I love this team don't get me wrong but I wanna see our big boys rough it up a little bit.

Ya man boxing out is all about heart and want to. Gotta have pride about that sort of thing. This teams mentality seems to be were to good for that. Gotta bang with the big boys if you wanna see early April.

very good point. Besides what you said all we need is them to play great defense and rebound. If we could find a post game I think we would be unstoppable.

This is exactly what everyone said when Darius Morris left. We have more talent than we used to and we have better talent coming in. Walton won't likely be as good, but nothing to be worried about.

Our offense stagnates a bit when Burke isn't playing well because the other players are currently conditioned toward certain roles.

Once Burke leaves, others will have to do more and they'll adjust accordingly. Next season, you'll see that the others (such as Stauskas or Levert) can run the offense.

Stauskas was not effective today but he's a combo guard. His combination of shooting/scoring, attacking (off the dribble), and passing will make him a leader next year.

Also, Caris Levert's growth has impressed me. He's another combo guard in the body of a SF. But unlike Stauskas, he can defend at a much higher level.

UCONN L was in an airplane hanger in Germany at midnight and the @Minny L was before they imploded and both losses were before January.. MSU is nowhere close to the same team as they were 2 month ago, as like most teams, teams improve as the season wears on

And I think you saw in the last UM/MSU game, why being physical makes them special vs. a team that's softer, esp. inside

It's not that I have little faith in Beilein, I think he's one of the best talent evaluators in the country and an offensive genius. Replacing the POY is a tough task though, regardless of how good the incoming PG is. Agreed with the rest of what you said. I REALLY hope GR3 stays.