Walton Jr is becoming a man

as the year goes on.

Great for the Kid and us! lol

The talent was always there, but most freshmen have a learning curve. Also, statistically, the biggest improvement is seen between freshman and sophomore year (see: Darius Morris, Trey Burke, Caris LeVert, Nik Stauskas).

Even if the Big Three leave, Michigan is going to be just fine next year with Walton, Irvn, LeVert, Chatman, and Horford.

CRAP!

Where did he go?

9 rebounds, 6 assists, 8 points with 3:24 to go @Ohio St. as a true freshman. No biggie.

Great second half for Walton. Handling the point on the road in Columbus in his first game there. He made some clutch drives. Impressive.

Very impressed tonight.

He's up and down like most Frosh

MgoBlue.... if you are going to rag on me all season for my GRIII stance, how about some credit for being so high on Walton?

Walton saves game for Michigan . He played great tonight pickup Robinson Morford had a good game also double -double in point and rebounds, bothof them. If Michigan makes layup early this game would have been over early.

 

I haven't watched the game yet but by following on GameCast and looking over the stat sheet it seems clear to me that Walton outplayed Craft. Am I wrong to think that? Can anyone that watched the game confirm and expand on that?

Regardless, I'm not sure the last time I saw a PG have a double double and not have more than 10 assists. I just thought that seemed a bit odd.

Assist #s weren't for lack of trying. M had a lot of bad luck shots early that could have been assists.

First off Craft guarded Stauskas most of the night, Carft still drove to the basket and got some , but Walton was great on driving the hoop himself plus rebounded pretty well. He ran the offense pretty well in all but Lavert had the ball a lot.

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

I haven't watched the game yet but by following on GameCast and looking over the stat sheet it seems clear to me that Walton outplayed Craft. Am I wrong to think that? Can anyone that watched the game confirm and expand on that?

Regardless, I'm not sure the last time I saw a PG have a double double and not have more than 10 assists. I just thought that seemed a bit odd.

Craft is one of the most overrated players in the country. He was/is notorious for hip-checking and the new rule changes have turned Craft from Defensive Player of the Year potential to just a really good defender. Craft also lacks a good shot, so he is merely an average offensive player. I wouldn't even put Craft in my top 3 PGs in the conference at this point.

Walton not only outplayed Craft, but he outplayed every player on the court. Walton was ridiculous on the glass using a combination of positioning and determination. Walton is 6'1, yet managed to grab 10 boards (more than 25% of Michigan's total rebounds). Check out UMHoops "5 Key Plays" from the game, it is how I get my eyes on big plays from games I had to miss.

http://www.umhoops.com/2014/02/12/five-key-plays-michigan-ohio-state/

#3 and #4 do a great job at explaining Walton's impact.

hailtoyourvictor wrote:

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

I haven't watched the game yet but by following on GameCast and looking over the stat sheet it seems clear to me that Walton outplayed Craft. Am I wrong to think that? Can anyone that watched the game confirm and expand on that?

Regardless, I'm not sure the last time I saw a PG have a double double and not have more than 10 assists. I just thought that seemed a bit odd.

Craft is one of the most overrated players in the country. He was/is notorious for hip-checking and the new rule changes have turned Craft from Defensive Player of the Year potential to just a really good defender. Craft also lacks a good shot, so he is merely an average offensive player. I wouldn't even put Craft in my top 3 PGs in the conference at this point.

Walton not only outplayed Craft, but he outplayed every player on the court. Walton was ridiculous on the glass using a combination of positioning and determination. Walton is 6'1, yet managed to grab 10 boards (more than 25% of Michigan's total rebounds). Check out UMHoops "5 Key Plays" from the game, it is how I get my eyes on big plays from games I had to miss.

http://www.umhoops.com/2014/02/12/five-key-plays-michigan-ohio-state/

#3 and #4 do a great job at explaining Walton's impact.

Walton has stepped up against Craft and Appling. Outplayed both of those seniors that were considered two of the best PGs in the conference.

Yup. I think Walton is definitely in the discussion for top 5 PGs in the conference. I think Ferrell, Appling, and Frazier are unquestionably 1, 2, and 3 right now. There are some great PGs in the 2nd tier, though, too. Craft, Mathieu, Walton, Johnson, Jackson.... Solid group of PGs.