The way this year’s team plays is the way each of Juwan Howard’s teams have played. Nothing new here. His best seasons were with Beilein’s recruits. I have to conclude that it’s either the coaches, or the players recruited by these coaches. Either way, a change is called for. I, personally, would start with the A.D.
Brian, you are correct. I also don't see much promise in anything going on with this team, and I'm generally a glass-half-full guy, too. You reminded me of the day John Beilein left for the Cavs, and how difficult it was to see such a great coach departing. When we spent some time together when he was working for the Pistons and I was covering them as a freelancer, it was so special to talk about both the past and future.
Not saying that Juwan Howard isn't a good coach, but he doesn't seem to be the right coach for Michigan, at least after 5 seasons. His trajectory is the opposite of Beilein's. JB's teams would start slowly and get progressively better, playing their best ball at the most important time of the season--in the B1G tournament and then in the NCAA's. JH's teams did well to start, then get progressively worse over time. Losses, such as to Rutgers earlier this week, happen all too regularly. And I don't see any hope for a change in fortunes. I was a huge supporter of Juwan's hiring, but I'm not prone to beating my head against a brick wall. It's time to admit the hiring did not produce the desired results and to turn elsewhere for a head coach who can return to us the types of teams that Beilein gave us.
As much as I love Juwan Howard, this mess is not on the players, it’s squarely on his shoulders. If there’s no cohesion with this team, he should have addressed it immediately. This s—- works in his mind, perhaps in practice, but not where it counts. It’s embarrassing and unacceptable.
Warde Manuel sits directly behind me at Crisler. If he isn’t seeing what everyone else is, especially someone like me who does not profess to have any basketball coaching expertise, then there is another, and maybe bigger, problem.
I also used to love how John Beilein's teams got stronger as the season wound down. I remember asking him in Januarys about players he saw coming up to playing time soon. One year it was Duncan and Rahk. Man, he hit those predictions square on. Miss that now.
I was disappointed when Warde said he wasn’t inclined to make a change and that he would assess the program after the season ends. That’s too passive. Why didn’t he take the same approach as he did with Harbaugh? Acknowledge there is a serious problem and assure the fans he plans to address it at the appropriate time. Warde is only making things more aggravating.
The way this year’s team plays is the way each of Juwan Howard’s teams have played. Nothing new here. His best seasons were with Beilein’s recruits. I have to conclude that it’s either the coaches, or the players recruited by these coaches. Either way, a change is called for. I, personally, would start with the A.D.
Brian, you are correct. I also don't see much promise in anything going on with this team, and I'm generally a glass-half-full guy, too. You reminded me of the day John Beilein left for the Cavs, and how difficult it was to see such a great coach departing. When we spent some time together when he was working for the Pistons and I was covering them as a freelancer, it was so special to talk about both the past and future.
Not saying that Juwan Howard isn't a good coach, but he doesn't seem to be the right coach for Michigan, at least after 5 seasons. His trajectory is the opposite of Beilein's. JB's teams would start slowly and get progressively better, playing their best ball at the most important time of the season--in the B1G tournament and then in the NCAA's. JH's teams did well to start, then get progressively worse over time. Losses, such as to Rutgers earlier this week, happen all too regularly. And I don't see any hope for a change in fortunes. I was a huge supporter of Juwan's hiring, but I'm not prone to beating my head against a brick wall. It's time to admit the hiring did not produce the desired results and to turn elsewhere for a head coach who can return to us the types of teams that Beilein gave us.
As much as I love Juwan Howard, this mess is not on the players, it’s squarely on his shoulders. If there’s no cohesion with this team, he should have addressed it immediately. This s—- works in his mind, perhaps in practice, but not where it counts. It’s embarrassing and unacceptable.
You speak the truth, Bob. The buck stops at the top. More on that at a later date.
Warde Manuel sits directly behind me at Crisler. If he isn’t seeing what everyone else is, especially someone like me who does not profess to have any basketball coaching expertise, then there is another, and maybe bigger, problem.
You could be onto something there, Bob.
I also used to love how John Beilein's teams got stronger as the season wound down. I remember asking him in Januarys about players he saw coming up to playing time soon. One year it was Duncan and Rahk. Man, he hit those predictions square on. Miss that now.
I was disappointed when Warde said he wasn’t inclined to make a change and that he would assess the program after the season ends. That’s too passive. Why didn’t he take the same approach as he did with Harbaugh? Acknowledge there is a serious problem and assure the fans he plans to address it at the appropriate time. Warde is only making things more aggravating.