First game of the season attended last night. Had the opportunity to sit 2 rows behind the bench, and spent most of the night with one eye on the game, and the other eye on the interactions between players and coaches, as well as body language. Below are my observations.
Premise is that I am a HUGE Tubby fan. However, there wasn't much to be proud of last night for anyone, players or coaches.
- Westbrook: Bitched and moaned at the refs, coaches and teammates all night long. Waved off Tubby incessantly and threw a little tantrum at halfcourt when Tubby pulled him after a stupid foul in the 2nd half. When he got to the bench, as soon as he got past Tubby he let loose a profanity-laced tirade that included comments like "leave me in the game" and other things not meant for even chat room print. This guy is a real problem, and when things aren't going well I can tell you from firsthand experience playing college basketball that a single guy can bring you down. I wouldn't be surprised if he is the primary source of most of the chemistry issues.
- Carter and Williams: These were the 2 guys who consistently were engaged, cheering, and seemed to be ready to play off the bench. Carter was good last night and got hosed a couple of times. Williams was ready to go when called upon, kept his mouth shut the entire game, didn't show negative body language, and was the first (or second to Carter) guy off the bench to congratulate teammates. I wish both of these guys could have played more, and hope they play extensively the rest of the year.
- PG play: Neither Joseph nor Cobbs is ready at this point. I wish we could play Devoe off the ball and let him shoot 15-17 footers all day. Cobbs' body language and attitude were not good last night, he was not ready to be out there (mentally). We miss Nolen very, very badly. I am already looking forward to next year having Nolen and (hopefully) C. Joseph playing the 1, with Devoe and Blake on the wings shooting/scoring. Devoe's body language was bad all game. He didn't seem to be ready to play either, and looked like he really didn't want to be running the offense. In other games I have seen, he has been more of a team leader and catalyst; I saw none of this last night.
Tubby: Looked tired. Not sure how else to describe it. He was encouraging to his players when they did the right thing, but there were some horrible calls in the 2nd half at critical junctures, and Tubby didn't really look like he cared much. I know he does, but he just looked worn down. I would be too if I had to deal with Westbrook for 3 years, that guy is unbearable. In game adjustments were not there either; Michigan ran ball screens for Harris on like 12 consecutive plays down the stretch, and we didn't switch, double, make him pass, etc. He just killed us when he got to the free throw line and closer, but there was no adjustment.
Overall athleticism: I went with a buddy of mine who doesn't know much hoops, but he kept saying "they're just faster than we are". Recognizing that Harris and Sims are more athletic than most in the league, we literally had no one who was even in the same stratosphere with those guys, at least last night. It was so frustrating to watch them ball screen for Harris and see him just absolutely tear us up.
Premise is that I am a HUGE Tubby fan. However, there wasn't much to be proud of last night for anyone, players or coaches.
- Westbrook: Bitched and moaned at the refs, coaches and teammates all night long. Waved off Tubby incessantly and threw a little tantrum at halfcourt when Tubby pulled him after a stupid foul in the 2nd half. When he got to the bench, as soon as he got past Tubby he let loose a profanity-laced tirade that included comments like "leave me in the game" and other things not meant for even chat room print. This guy is a real problem, and when things aren't going well I can tell you from firsthand experience playing college basketball that a single guy can bring you down. I wouldn't be surprised if he is the primary source of most of the chemistry issues.
- Carter and Williams: These were the 2 guys who consistently were engaged, cheering, and seemed to be ready to play off the bench. Carter was good last night and got hosed a couple of times. Williams was ready to go when called upon, kept his mouth shut the entire game, didn't show negative body language, and was the first (or second to Carter) guy off the bench to congratulate teammates. I wish both of these guys could have played more, and hope they play extensively the rest of the year.
- PG play: Neither Joseph nor Cobbs is ready at this point. I wish we could play Devoe off the ball and let him shoot 15-17 footers all day. Cobbs' body language and attitude were not good last night, he was not ready to be out there (mentally). We miss Nolen very, very badly. I am already looking forward to next year having Nolen and (hopefully) C. Joseph playing the 1, with Devoe and Blake on the wings shooting/scoring. Devoe's body language was bad all game. He didn't seem to be ready to play either, and looked like he really didn't want to be running the offense. In other games I have seen, he has been more of a team leader and catalyst; I saw none of this last night.
Tubby: Looked tired. Not sure how else to describe it. He was encouraging to his players when they did the right thing, but there were some horrible calls in the 2nd half at critical junctures, and Tubby didn't really look like he cared much. I know he does, but he just looked worn down. I would be too if I had to deal with Westbrook for 3 years, that guy is unbearable. In game adjustments were not there either; Michigan ran ball screens for Harris on like 12 consecutive plays down the stretch, and we didn't switch, double, make him pass, etc. He just killed us when he got to the free throw line and closer, but there was no adjustment.
Overall athleticism: I went with a buddy of mine who doesn't know much hoops, but he kept saying "they're just faster than we are". Recognizing that Harris and Sims are more athletic than most in the league, we literally had no one who was even in the same stratosphere with those guys, at least last night. It was so frustrating to watch them ball screen for Harris and see him just absolutely tear us up.
