The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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for the sophomore to fight back. The result — one of Michigan's season highlights. Stauskas' 15-point effort in Michi- gan's 70-60 fistfight of a win at Ohio State Feb. 11 seemed nothing short of remarkable. The Wolverines strug- gled mightily early, trailing by dou- ble digits to the delight of the venom- spewing denizens of Columbus. But Michigan clawed back, fighting to a win and causing tobacco wads to drop from gaping jaws throughout the arena. And there in the middle of it all, Stauskas fought as well — rac- ing in on back cuts, launching from ball screens at the three-point line, setting a pick in the key then scram- bling back to receive one, provid- ing the split-second opening that he needed. He'd toughened up physically over the summer. A new level of mental toughness began sweeping in from Canada like the Polar Vortex. "Against a defense that was geared for him and maybe against the best defender in the country on him [Aaron Craft], I thought he was terrific," noted Dan Dakich, former coach and ESPN analyst who cov- ered the showdown. "The key for him is not a matter of not forcing shots, but understanding, 'I'm go- ing to be aggressive as hell at the right time to be aggressive as hell.' I thought he was against Ohio State. When he had the right matchup off a switch, he shot once from the top of the key, which I thought was a great move. "He went to the rim against taller guys. Taller guys can't play against him, so when he can get a switch and you make sure he understands it's time to go, he'll be fine. I thought he was really good. "He played within himself and got to his average. If you've got to take 18 or 25 shots to get there, that's not good … just do what Coach Beilein sets up and things will really work for you." Together, Beilein and Stauskas are making it work. Beilein conceded he's evolved in recent years, finding himself able to tolerate a little more of the on-court fun Stauskas likes to have, as long as it doesn't grow too disrespectful of an opponent. The three-goggles the sophomore occasionally makes with his hands, the shoulder shake and strut … all at one time might have drawn a little more Beilein bark. "Him recruiting a different kind of player, he's had to evolve," Stauskas said. "Even his offense has changed, not completely, but with the kind of players we have. I can see how he's a little bit more free with that kind of stuff. I don't really even know how to explain it, as to what's going through his mind, but I can see he's a little bit more comfortable with that. "That's something I've done a bet- ter job of this year, just kind of toning it down in that aspect. Last year, I would get a little too excited at times, but this year, one of my goals was never get too high or too low, no mat- ter how things are going." In other words, Stauskas has evolved as well. The results speak for themselves. ❑