John Beilein spoke to the media after Michigan’s 76-48 exhibition win over Saginaw Valley State on Monday evening. The notes and quotes are after the jump or you can watch in the embedded media player below.
- On Saginaw Valley State: Although the talent isn’t a Big Ten-talented team, “they at least ran and valued the ball and worked the clock and did a great job.” They made Michigan work and had a bunch of guys who “played the right way.”
- “I think we gave up a few too many 3’s that we need to learn how to defend a bit better.” Overall, Beilein said it was a “good performance”and a “tremendous time for growth.”
- Beilein said good point guards have to fool the defense into thinking he’s going to score while he’s looking for opportunities for his teammates. Trey Burke is “getting better and better at that.”
- Tim Hardaway Jr. “just made extra passes.” Beilein said he was impressed with Hardaway’s performance and that he made some plays he rarely sees him make so quickly.
- On the defense of the freshmen: “It’s okay. They’re certainly not below where you’d think a freshman would be.” Beilein said they’re heading in the right direction. “Glenn (Robinson III) is just really good.”
- Robinson III “Lets the game come to him” on offense. “He’s patient.”
- On Nik Stauskas and how he fits into the rotation: “I like having that shooter come off the bench.” Doesn’t know yet who will start exactly, but knows that Stauskas and Mitch McGary will be early entries off the bench if they don’t start.
- “We’ve been experimenting more than we’ve ever experimented,” knowing that they have five talented freshmen as well as the option of playing with two bigs. “There’s a lot more thrown at Trey and Spike than there was at this time last year.”
- Said Glenn Robinson III’s shooting coming in was “Okay.” But the time he’s spent in the gym early in the season has really paid off. He’s already won a few scrimmages on last-second 3-pointers.
- The coaching staff will continue to implore Robinson to be more assertive on offense.
- Mitch McGary hasn’t struggled too much with fouls in practice. Coaches call extra tight on all three bigs to teach them what they can and can’t do in practice.
- Beilein thinks Jon Horford is “full go” for Friday. He had a full workout and is cleared, will have a hard workout with Bacari Alexander tomorrow while the rest of the team has an off day. Needs to work off rust but should be in there.
