Practicing what they've preached all fall, the Michigan men's basketball team ran the ball last night in the season's first scrimmage against the California Double Pump All-Stars.
Though sporadic chaos struck the young Wolverines, who turned the ball over repeatedly throughout the game, Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe stuck to the season's plan, and his talent-laden team came back to win, 84-79.
"One thing's for sure, they're going to make it exciting," said Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe. "They're such a young basketball team in so many different ways. One thing we found out about our team is they are not going to fold their tent."
Michigan's backcourt ignited an exciting finish as the Wolverines erased an 11-point deficit with less than four minutes on the game clock. Meanwhile the All-Stars - who took the court for the third night in a row because they fit the majority of their schedule into the college preseason - sputtered down the stretch.
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| DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily Gavin Groninger wins the battle of 23s in his first outing in a Michigan jersey. Groninger scored three points on the night. |
"I really appreciate the crowd supporting us the way it did all the way through the end," said Blanchard, who led the Wolverines with 19 points in 24 minutes. "Without the crowd I don't know if we could have made that last run."
The All-Stars' Chivo Anderson sank a free throw with 2:05 to go, but it was the last time the independent team from California would score.
The Wolverines closed the scrimmage with 10 unanswered points, thanks to 3-pointers and two free throws from both Jamal Crawford and Leon Jones.
Jones played a key role in last night's win. In an unexpected move by Ellerbe, the sophomore started the game in the backcourt and didn't disappoint. He finished the game with 18 points on six of eight free throws, and played a key role in Michigan's comeback run.
"I try to be calm when everybody else is nervous and a little rattled," Jones said. "I'm an older sophomore since I went to prep school, so I'm a little bit more mature. I try to lead by example."
Down the stretch, free throws played a huge role. While the All-Stars missed plenty from the consolation line with the game on the line (three of nine after the 10 minute mark), the Wolverines sank all seven of their charity opportunities in the second half and 76 percent for the game.
"We missed seven foul shots down the stretch and they made seven in a row, so they win," said a dismayed All-Stars coach Price Johnson. "Our legs might have gone on us a little, but we should have won the game. We gave the game to them."
Michigan feasted and famined on its guards all night long. Either they played well in transition - turning numerous Michigan rebounds into fast breaks - or they sputtered and made poor choices on a moment's notice.
The Wolverines built up an 11-point lead in the first 11 minutes of the game, primarily because they dominated the boards, out-rebounding the smaller All-Stars, 58-32 in all.
But Michigan squandered the early advantage due to costly turnovers, ice-cold shooting and missed putbacks. The All-Stars churned out a 19-5 run, capped by a four converted free throws to close the first half with a 36-32 lead.
"It was our first time playing against another team," said Jones, explaining all the Michigan turnovers. So I think everybody was a little nervous."
The All-Stars seeked to contain Michigan's running game all evening, knowing that their players didn't match up to the Wolverines physically or athletically.
"We obviously weren't expecting to see 32 minutes of zone (defense)," said Ellerbe. "But that's good because adversity teaches you about your group. These new guys are going to have to make plays all year long."
Despite all the smiles present in Crisler Arena following last night's game, the exciting victory was merely a scrimmage - a prelude to a long road ahead for a young Michigan team. And, to Ellerbe, it is only a 40 minute tape from which he will discern Michigan's strengths and weaknesses.
11-11-99
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