Indiana and Basketball

Indiana's population is 6.9 million--I would have guessed more, and was ready to write it is no surprise they are becoming more active in Big Ten men's football and basketball.  Supposedly they have built a money cannon and they're active in portal bidding.

This is not the first time Mike Woodson has created a stir.  It feels like deja vu.  Was it last year or the year before, or even earlier in his tenure as Indiana coach?  He is such an experienced and well-liked guy, why all the disappointment and grumbling?  And he seems to start it.

Now with the season climaxing, he has resigned.  But he isn't going away.

37-25 Michigan approaching the end of the first half.  Assembly Hall is quiet.  Michigan is on the rise; Indiana is not.

Michigan has three or four good/Big Ten players and others on the floor are disciplined and well-coached.  That is what stands out:  the team has talent and they play well together.  Danny Wolf is athletic and versatile, especially for a big; Vlad Goldin is pretty agile too, and strong and experienced; Will Tschetter, ditto, big, smart, and a complete game; Nimari Burnett's shooting has improved; Tre Donaldson is having a good game in this one, and others are contributing too.  They're playing hard and diving for balls.  Probably not starting Roddy Gayle Jr. is smart.  

It is impressive Dusty May could assemble mold this team.  He is a positive, confident, capable man.  The tension surrounding Juwan Howard is gone.  Recruiting looks very good for next year and May has proven portal-savvy.

It is  43-27 at halftime.  So far, there is no sign this kind of separation is will change.  Michigan is now playing to become upper echelon while Indiana is playing for nothing.

Well.  You have to watch the whole game before commenting.  Indiana tied it.  Michigan won.

It was like watching a Michigan football game.  It was ugly.  It was close.  And it was about delaying.

First, Nimari Burnett disappeared in the second half.  The strategy of avoiding Gayle Jr. continued.  Goldin was solid; Wolf was helpful; Donaldson played; and everyone else delayed.

Second, after a quick search, Michigan basketball recruiting is not great.  In fact, it is even top twenty for a couple of years running.  Most of the portal players contribute minimally.

You cannot call it poor 3-point shooting because they were expiring shot clocks and desperate heaves.  Dusty May' smile has worn off.  Those who play do it as coach says.  This was a slow down directive and the reason was a lack of talent and depth.  It was also the strategy to reduce turnovers.  Michigan has some capable players, but not a lot of creators or stars.  Nasty, but it worked for a W.

Mike Woodson is a wimp.  If you're going to quit, leave.