The Big Dance

So I don't usually like to rag on other media outlets, but I am pretty upset about a recent article in the popular Michigan Daily. They had a headline that read "Start Dancing." That really really makes me angry. Any Michigan sports fan is well aware that Michigan is a high contender to make the tournament for the first time since 1998, however one must remember that there is still work to be done this weekend. Yes it is true that Michigan has played themselves worthy enough to make the tournament if Selection Sunday came before the Big Ten Tourny; but this is not the case. Michigan needs to make sure that they do not play themselves out of their spot, which simply put, they need to beat Iowa on Thursday. If they beat Iowa, and as long as no other team wins the Big Ten Tourny outside of the four top teams, then yes send and RSVP to the big dance. But until they beat Iowa, no-one should be clouding their head with ideas that they are already in. If they lose on Thursday I say the team goes from a 90% chance of getting a bid down to a 50% chance of getting a bid. And I dont like those odds. Iowa is a good team who has beaten Michigan once, but as long as Michigan steps up and plays lock down defense on their 1 scoring option, Kelley a 6'6'' small forward/shooting guard. They should get the win.

After Thursday...who knows what could happen. They will play Illinois next and probably Purdue after that. Two teams they have beaten at 1 point this year. Am I saying they will be playing on Sunday, no, but is it a crazy idea? Maybe, but so is the idea that Michigan beat Duke and UCLA this year. I hope to see them do well, but the most important day is on Thursday, after Thursday everything else that happens will be the difference between probably an 11 seed and a 9 seed. As soon as Michigan is out of the tournament every Wolverine fan needs to be rooting for one of the top 3 seeds to win in order to ensure that other bubble teams like Minnesota or Northwestern dont make a late push and find a way into the tournament. Either way, it is still very exciting the idea that Michigan is truly one win away from ensuring their spot in the tourny.

Go Blue,
Sean

Season Re-Cap

So the last time I posted on this blog was roughly in November, right after Michigan had beat UCLA to move to a record of 3-1. Well lets recap what has occurred since then. Michigan jumped back into the National Scene by beating Duke 81-73. It was an amazing win, really gave a glimmer of hope to Ann Arbor after such depressing times. Michigan would go into Big Ten League play with an impressive record of 10-2, their second loss coming to the Maryland Terapins 70-75. Tough loss, but it would be a series of terrible road losses that Michigan would suffer throughout the season. After a very roller-coaster esque big ten league play, in which Michigan would lose 7-9 games, Michigan finished the season with a salvageable record of 9-9. This puts them at a record of 19-12, the other loss coming in Conneticut, which probably was the best loss of the season, they showed a lot of poise against some monster inside presence, Thabeet made them all look like little boys.
Throughout the year we have seen some great growth from each individual. For starters, Beilein is a great recruiter, Novak and Douglass have each shown signs of being serious contributors over the next 4 years, and who knows what Novak is capable of when he is not having to play power forward. Beilein got some great recruits for next year as well, as he has looked to get two very impressive 3 star big men, one 3 star shooting guard, and a 4 star point guard. I am sorry to be leaving the University of Michigan in May, but I will look forward to see all of these players develop and continue their success at Michigan.
So now it is Monday March 9, and Michigan just came off a huge win against Tubby Smith and the Minnesota Gophers. Does this put them in the Tournament, everyone seems to Think so, but I will save my opinion for another post.