Kornacki: Irvin Becoming Versatile Force for Wolverines

Jan. 21, 2016

Zak Irvin with the Maize Rage before U-M defeated Minnesota Wednesday

By Steve Kornacki

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Zak Irvin is on a roll.

Michigan's multi-talented junior guard got his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds in Wednesday night's (Jan. 20) 74-69 win over Minnesota.

"I think he's playing at the highest level he's played since he's been here because he's putting it all together," said Michigan head coach John Beilein. "There were days when, as a freshman, he might hit six threes, and that's yet to come. But he wasn't getting six rebounds or having assists or getting to the basket.

"Now, he's getting to the basket, he's shooting the ball well. We don't win without him right now. He's playing well, and they geared up their defense to stop him by doing a couple of things, and he still had success."

Irvin scored 15 points in the first half, making all three treys attempted.

"I really got into a flow at the beginning of the game," said Irvin. "I noticed that their bigs were switching off and guarding me. So, I had a mismatch. They switched the game plan up a little bit (in the second half), but I wasn't making the shots that I was in the first half. Not every shot you take is going to fall, but Derrick (Walton Jr.) really picked up the slack for us late by making free throws, which was huge."

Derrick Walton Jr., the junior point guard, made 11 of 12 free throws in the game and was 8-for-9 at the line in the final 59 seconds to ice the game. He scored 17 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, becoming the perfect scoring complement to Irvin.

"We can play off each other -- which is really good," said Walton. "I don't have to go to the rim and force some things or create everything. I can dial up some things and let Zak do it. He's been reading the ball screens really well, and he's really tough to handle when his shot is going.

"Zak's like my brother. We're kind of joined at the hip and read each other and play off each other all the time. Whenever possible, we try to find a way to keep each other going."

Beilein has asked more of Irvin (37 minutes played) and Walton (39 of 40 minutes) with the team's best player, Caris LeVert, out for the last five games. Michigan is 3-2 without LeVert but did upset No. 3 Maryland.

"They know that they are the big-minute guys for us," said Beilein. "I'm leaning on them heavy. Caris was the guy, and they were both playing significant roles but not what they are now. And I think that's why they came to Michigan."

Irvin started slowly this year because he was recovering from a September surgery procedure in his lower back but says he's 100 percent now. And the numbers back it up.

He's averaging 17.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the last three games while shooting a sharp .487 from the field.

"Yeah, I feel really good," said Irvin. "The rhythm's starting to come back. I feel it more every game, and I had a lot of that in this game."

Beilein said earlier this season, after LeVert and Walton had triple-doubles, that Irvin was the most likely candidate to join that club.

"Caris and Derrick have been telling me that," said Irvin. "I really want that achievement. That's something that you'll always remember. It's nice to see my brothers get that, but hopefully I can add onto that list. Hopefully, I can get it done."

Irvin

Irvin had three assists against the Gophers but did have nine earlier this season against a tough SMU team. He's averaging 3.2 assists this season to more than double last year's average.

The double-double was a testament to his improved overall game.

"It's my first double-double this season," said Irvin, "and we're just trying to make an impact in the game in areas other than scoring. We knew they were going to crash (the boards), and so I was able to help us with some defensive rebounding."

Irvin had a trio of double-doubles last year against Wisconsin (21 points, 11 rebounds) in the Big Ten Tournament, Northwestern (28 points, 11 rebounds) and Nebraska (14 points, 12 rebounds). He became a beast down the stretch run, and now he's becoming one again.

The rebounding is something Irvin, who is 6-6 with great hops, has made progress with. When Beilein said Michigan (14-5, 4-2 Big Ten) couldn't have beaten the Gophers without Irvin it had more to do with his rebounding than scoring.

Two of Irvin's best plays of the night came as the result of defensive rebounds.

He grabbed a carom and fired a long pass to Aubrey Dawkins, who got an easy layup off that.

"I got the rebound and saw Aubrey was wide open," said Irvin. "So, I just threw it up to him, and he was able to finish."

Irvin grabbed another rebound and dribbled the length of the court. He was looking for center Ricky Doyle to get free but instead opted to keep the ball and score with an under-handed pop shot.

"I was looking for Ricky and trying to get him the ball," said Irvin. "But his man came on him late, and I didn't really have anything to go to. So, I just threw it up, and it went in."

Irvin took some good-natured ribbing after that unorthodox, improvised bucket.

"I heard it the next timeout," said Irvin. "People were laughing, but it was good."

His coach liked another rebound Irvin snagged better than the rest.

"I liked the rebound he got where he pulled it away from the other guy," said Beilein. "I'm telling you, he was a non-rebounder as a freshman. I still remember that we were playing a three-on-three (practice game) in the postseason, and I'm saying, 'Zak, you didn't get any rebounds all year long. I want to see how many rebounds you can get in this three-on-three.' And he got like six or seven. He said, 'I've never had to go in and rebound.' I said, 'Go in and rebound. You'll be good at it.' And it's changed for him."

Irvin's rebound average went from 1.3 as a freshman to 4.8 as a sophomore. He's at 3.6 as a junior, but that number's rising fast since he's gotten fully healthy.

"He's got to box out," said Beilein, "and he has a knack of knowing where the ball is coming out. So, that's important because our bigs still aren't getting that done."

Mark Donnal, Moritz Wagner, D.J. Wilson and Doyle each are 6-9 or 6-10. They totaled six rebounds in 39 combined minutes. Irvin more than doubled their total. He saw to it that the battle of the boards was a 38-38 draw, and the Wolverines were able to win their eighth straight game at Crisler Center.

Irvin, and then Walton, came to the rescue.

• Irvin's Double-Double, Walton's 22 Lift U-M to Win over Gophers