+3 and -3 from UM vs. VCU,

+3

1. Jon Teske being a serviceable backup as a big is a major development for this team. Wagner goes out with 3 fouls to start the 2nd half and you think it's trouble. Instead, it's a 7-0 run. He ends up with 8 and 4 tonight. Teske knows his limitations, sets great ball screens, especially those combos (ball screen into pin-down) needed in JB's system. As thin as UM is in the front-court, his development is big.

2. The team is 5-1 and Mo Wagner hasn't really gotten it going yet (outside LSU game). There was a thought that he would need to get in the 20's each game for them to win and I don't think that's the case. Matthews is proving himself as a scorer and you get some out of Robinson and MAAR. Mo's offense is important, but not imperative to win.

3. I think Charles Matthews may be the best NBA prospect on this team. He still needs to improve that jumper, but his athleticism, versatility, and ability to create his own, is the stuff you need in the league. In JB's system where you have a lot of room to operate because of great spacing, Matthews is going to be able to create some offense. Wagner just a little limited in some of those things.

-3

1. JB's teams are always built around shooting the "3." They were shooting it at 36% coming into the game and shot 21% in this game. They are going to take a lot of 3's and that percentage will need to improve if they are going to have a big year.

2. I get the offense you need from Duncan Robinson. He is shooting 43% from "3" this year and I bet that will improve. He made some plays off the bounce in the second half of this game. But he is one of the worst D1 defenders in the nation. He almost has to get 15+ just to make up for what he gives. Tonight, he got 18, which is what you need from him on that end to make up the back-cuts and dribble drives he gave up on the other.

3. Outside of Teske, you got 4 off the bench. I think depth will be an issue as you basically got nothing out of Simmons, Livers, Brooks, and Watson. I think this team is about 6-7 deep now, but that will need to improve over the course of the year.

MISC

* Keep in mind all of this is based on a team playing 3 games in 3 days. As much as Dan Dakich wants to tell you about guys not getting tired, every college basketball coach on planet Earth would say that's a MAJOR factor.

* One of those games where it would've been a worse loss than a good win. UM played 3 teams in Maui that won't be in the big dance and you can't go 1-2 against non-tournament teams. That made the VCU one important.

* HUGE "3" by MAAR down "3" with 1:45 left and everything going against you, down 3. Might have been the shot of the game.

* I'm not as freaked out about the point guard position as others are. Simpson can REALLY defend. That travels and is at a much higher level than Brooks/Simmons. Many "experts" wrote how Simmons would be the starter for the year. Those "experts" are quiet now as Simpson looks like the best option and played down the stretch in this game. I'd keep playing Simpson and let him grow and improve.

* Wagner was much more passive in this game than he needed to be. When he came back in under the 6 minute they needed him to score and he didn't.

* The last 8 minutes were full of bad basketball. Missed layups, free throws, and turnovers. Teams playing 3 games in 3 days and it showed late. But Wagner and Robinson showed their veteran presence and made HUGE plays down the stretch.

* Michigan moves to 5-1 and 2-1 in Maui is a success. No quality wins yet, but a week from today they get that shot in Chapel Hill.

1. I think depth is going to be an issue for UM this year.