Michigan basketball coach John Beilein is thrilled to be back after undergoing heart surgery this summer. He also likes his team, though he understands there’s a long way to go.
Practices have increased from two hours to four hours, he noted, and the European trip was a success despite the 1-2 record overseas. The Wolverines were able to practice for 10 hours before going to Spain.
“It’s really changing my timetable for things that we do,” Beilein said. “That’s been really encouraging. I like this team. As you know, we have to have everything go right. We have to stay injury free.
“We’re a little ahead only because we did the European trip. If you loo at the scholarship situation, we have 12 guys, almost half of them freshmen. That’s the big thing. Some years it was just Moe Wagner, then two or three. This year it is five. But we’re further ahead than any time we’ve been here because of the European trip. The staff did a great job.”
Lead assistant Saddi Washington took the reins. Though the Wolverines turned the ball over 20-plus times in the first two games, Beilein wasn’t discouraged.
“You sort of expected it,” Beilein said. “We played way too [loose] … all those guys are trying to fit together, have got new roles. The teams we played were much different than the Italian teams played four years ago. We’ll go over it today, try to figure out when Michigan wins, why they won. One of them is we don’t turn ball over. We put up all kinds of stats of things why that works.”
The film was “not as interesting and informative as I thought it would be,” he added, noting it was frustrating not to be part of it. At the same time, he said, they’ll be showing 20 to 30-minute video clips once a week of those of games as a learning tool.
Another area of some concern … shooting. Michigan made only about 20 percent of three-pointers overseas and didn’t take many. Freshman Ignas Brazdeikis didn’t take any, and he’s a good shooter.
“The line was that much further,” Beilein noted, holding his arms several feet apart. “For Duncan Robinson and Jordan Poole, maybe it’s not a big deal. For the rest it’s probably a big deal right now. I think it was that, and then we didn’t really shoot w a lot. We didn’t get really comfortable with it, didn’t have workouts in between … limited, three games, that’s it, no practices. Nothing.
“And let’s fact it … we lost our three top shooters. That’s a lot of threes in those three, high percentage guys. We have to replace that somehow. I think we have guys that can shoot. I don’t think anyone, with the exception of one or two, have been volume three-point shooters where that’s what they do.”
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman becamea good shooter, Beilein noted, and that’s what he’ll ask of many on this team.
“That personality change is important with our guys,” he said. “It’s okay to go 0-for-3, because you might go 3-for-3 [next time].”
Beilein Talks Personnel
Beilein was also impressed with what he saw from redshirt sophomore center Austin Davis overseas.
“I really wasn’t surprised, but excited about what he did over there against the big boys,” Beilein said. “I watch those Spain teams, those teams are good. For him to get offensive rebounds … what he’s got to do is get stuff we’ve never really lived off. Loyola was one of those games we lived off the boards because they were so small.
“That’s where his lifeblood should be. He has great hands, great body, so get in there.”
Junior Jon Teske had a great summer and has really improved and will be the favorite to start, but Davis is pushing for time.
Sophomore Jordan Poole will be the guy most likely to fill Abdur-Rahkman’s role as a guy who can get to the rim.
“I think because he played three last year, he can play both. He gives us that flexibility,” Beilein said. “But you’ll notice, Iggy [frosh Ignas Brazdeikis played the two and the four, the third time I’ve every done this. It’s a unique thing to have a left handed player [like that] … he’s got the body, got the size and got some toughness where he can really do it and help our rotation.”
Brazdeikis stood out in Spain because of his ability to finish. He led the team in scoring and rebounding.
“He’s got great instincts … we’ve got to find a place for him out there, try to make him so his style is one where he can wear a lot of hats,” Beilein said. “Brandon Johns is showing great growth in this time and will also have a chance to play right away.”
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