The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/432566
MICHIGAN BASKETBALL that when you see Irvin's shots go in, nobody wants to mess with him. Actually, Beilein the shooting guru definitely wanted to see some subtle changes in Irvin's delivery. Beilein wanted to witness even more consistency out of someone who con- nected on 42.5 percent from three- point range as instant offense from the Michigan bench last year. So Beilein and assistant coach Jeff Meyer began working with Irvin to make some changes. "Between Coach Meyer myself and Zak, he's worked hard at having the same shooting stroke every time, where his hand placement is, follow- ing through just the same way every time," Beilein said. "We have noticed in his shooting well and not well, there was some in- consistency in his footwork and his release point, all those things. He's worked really hard at that." Irvin didn't object to further craft- ing his shooting motion, but admitted it was tough to change in the early stages. "At first, it was definitely a challenge I had to go through," he said. "But with so many reps I put up, it's just something I'm used to now, and it's definitely paying off. "I'm really concentrating on get- ting good spin on the ball. That's what Coach B. has really been harping on me about. It's helped out my jump shot so far." Irvin's other adjustment arrived in the form of more time to do what he does well. Last year, he averaged 15.4 minutes per game. This year, he's at 35.3 through nine games. That means the scoring imperative isn't so immediate, and the call for picking his spots and featuring a well- rounded game has gone out. "There's a little bit of a difference," Irvin said. "Coach B. always talks to me, and he knows I can get my shot off whenever I want. It's being able to take good shots. Last year, my job was to come in and shoot the basketball, whenever I was able to get open. "There's a little bit of difference this year. I've got to be wiser with the shots I take this year." Irvin also knows that there will be nights when the shot isn't falling, and when the defenses of Big Ten teams will extend into uncomfortably close range. That's when more of his offsea- son work needs to pay off, he noted. "I've got to be able to get to the basket," he said. "It's not settling for the jump shots and also getting to the foul line. I know there are going to be games this year when my jump shot is not falling. I've got to get to the line, just to get into a rhythm." So the shaping process continues. It's so far, so good, with much bigger challenges to come. "I've always been told I have a weird-looking shot," Irvin said. "That's just something unique I have, that's part of my game. Coach B. has always told me how he wanted to make me a better shooter. I think it looks a little bit better, but I know I do have a weird- looking shot." It's a little less weird than a year ago, and not at all when falling, the Wolver- ines agree. ❑