Men’s Basketball

Jonathan Epstein

48.5%. That’s how well Michigan shot the ball from three point range on Saturday afternoon when the Wolverines played host to Eastern Michigan. The Wolverines played the game without their head-coach, John Beilein, who was out with an ear-infection. Assistant coach Jerry Dunn was Beilein’s pick to fill in, and after a sluggish first half, the Wolverines didn’t miss a beat without their general.

Manny Harris got into early foul trouble, and had to sit the majority of the first half with just two points next to his name in the box score. With Manny on the bench, the Wolverines needed someone to step up and fill the scoring void. Enter Jevohn Sheppard, a senior from Toronto who found himself lost  for the first few years of his career under former head coach Tommy Amaker. Under Beilein, however, Sheppard seems to be  finding his game.  Sheppard slashed for several baskets, and hit jumpshots for some others; finishing with 13 points in the first half. The Wolverines also got a big boost from point guard Kelvin Grady, who hit several consecutive three pointers, and had a tough finish to end the first half.

In the second half the Wolverines finally picked up where they left off from the Duke game. Two beautiful moves for four points from the Wolverines’ second leading scorer, Deshawn Sims, and then Manny Harris began to take over. Harris scored the Wolverines’ next 11 points, including a long 3 with a hand in his face, and he made it look easy. Harris hit three 3-pointers on the day, contributing to the Wolverines’ excellent mark from downtown of 16 of 33.

The Wolverines played classic Beilein ball; they made their shots, forced turnovers, didn’t turn it over themselves, and pushed the ball in transition for easy baskets. As they have done several times this year, the Wolverines were able to overcome being dominated on the boards; as Eastern Michigan had the advantage on the glass 42-27. 

After the game Assistant Coach Jerry Dunn was interviewed, and he said that it truly makes a leader proud when their pupils can go out and perform in their absence.  Well after his team’s performance on Saturday, how can Beilein not be smiling.