Category: Featured

Posted on

M FOOTBALL 2012-WILDCATS NO LONGER MILDCATS-WOLVERINES PREVAIL IN OVERTIME WITH 38 TO NORTHWESTERN’S 31.

 

A LOSS TO THE WILDCATS WOULD HAVE HAD THE WOLVERINES BATTLING FOR SECOND PLACE IN THE LEGENDS DIVISION. THEY ARE STILL IN THE HUNT.

Saturday, the Wolverines returned to the friendly confines of Michigan Stadium to confront the Northwestern Wildcats for the first of a critical two game home stand, that could play a big part in determining the course of the their season. The Wolverines needed to win to get into position to achieve a shot at the Legends title game, which they will have, if they can win out, and Nebraska losses again.  Unfortunately, Nebraska owns the head to head tiebreaker.  After the ‘Cats, the Iowa Hawkeyes come next, and then Ohio in Columbus.  All three games are of equal importance, except for bragging rights, but first things first, and that was hosting, and trying to best the Wildcats.  The ‘Cats made it a game.  The Wolverines dramatic finish made it one to remember.

Game Photos

THIS YEAR’S WILDCATS:  Coach Pat Fitzgerald brought a pretty decent Big Ten Football team to Ann Arbor.  Seven wins and two losses through nine games is a good record, and three wins and two losses in the B1G is also decent. Their rush defense was fourth in the B1G prior to Saturday.  Statistically they were more susceptible to the pass defensively only ranking 8th in the B1G, and the Wildcats were not in the top 100 in pass offense nationally. Actuality: They proved again their vulnerability in that area Saturday yielding 286-yards passing to the Wolverines.

Arriving in Ann Arbor tenth in total B1G defense seemed encouraging to the Michigan cause because M could stop the run.  Actuality: The ‘Cats played a very good football game, moving the ball against the Wolverines with monotony, and converting far too many third downs (8 of 16).  But the Wolverines moved the ball to counter. The Wolverines managed 7 of 10 third down conversions. NW cashed in on a controversial late 1st down that seemed to seal the Wolverines doom in regulation.  There was more than one situation in this game that portended doom, but this is a team that does not quit and it saved them.

Unlike some past NW teams, this year’s edition is a rush first team, relying on the legs of Kain Colter, and tail back Venric Mark.  Both Colter and Mark had admirable games Saturday, but both ended up nicked.  Late in Saturday’s game Mark had the misfortune of providing a cushion for Frank Clark, and that ended his participation. Mark had rushed for 1,072-yards previously and he added 104 net yards on 23 carries Saturday, with one TD. He demonstrated he is a special team whiz that can return kick offs and break the big one, and he proved that Saturday, but his longest and a potential game breaking return of a  KO to pay dirt was fortunately called back due to penalty.  That play could have sealed M’s fate.

The Wildcats wanted to control the clock and dominate the line of scrimmage with the running game, and for much of regulation they did, and they did totaling 431 net yards to M’s 419, while establishing a time of possession for the game of 34.28 to M’s 25.32. In the face of Michigan’s pregame great pass defense statistics, NW wreaked a little havoc though the air at times, getting a couple of TDs, and securing 8 of 16 1st down conversions by air and ground. Kain raised Cain with M’s defense at times. QB Colter shared the task with Trevor Siemian.  Siemian completed a just before the half two minute drill with six, which after the point, tied the game 14 up at the half.

NW threw 13 times and hit 21 for 183-yards.  M completed 16 of 30 for 286-yards with 2 TDs.  NW ran 58 times for 248-yards, but only one TD.  M ran 32 times producing 133-yards and 3 TDs.

NW’s Colter was 8 of 14 for 89-yards and 1 TD, and Siemian was 6 of 7 for 87-yards and 2 TDs.  Colter on the ground carried 24 times for 106-yards.

M’s Devin Gardner was 16 of 29 for 286 passing and 2 TDs. He ran 9 times for 49-yards with 3 TDs and a long of 17.   That run of 17-yards on third down saved the day.

The last time the Wildcats took down the Wolverines, it was November of 2008, and Nick Sheridan was the QB, and Saturday it was too close for comfort again.  NW played a good hard hitting game of football.  None of that Mildcat stuff applies this year.

THE WOLVERINES DEFENSE:  Looking at the stats from M’s first nine games, it seemed that the Wolverines matched up well with the Wildcats defensively.  Actuality: the Wolverines gave up 31 points. What else needs to be said? The Wildcats managed 431-yards against the Wolverines yesterday.  NW took the measure of the Wolverine defense.  Yet, when crunch time came, it was the Wolverine’s defense that stared the Wildcats down, enabling a win, by stopping the ‘Cats cold in the late 4th quarter, and overtime. Kenny Demens and Desmond Morgan each had 9 stops.

Again, while Michigan’s defense struggled with the fine option running of Colter and Mark, they came alive in time, when the game was on the line.  Late in the game, in regulation, a late hit by Beyer almost torpedoed the Wolverines.  It was a possible game changer, but fortunately Beyer did not become a goat.

THE WOLVERINES OFFENSE:  Pregame the continuing question was the offense.  Could anyone other than Denard (if he played), or Devin (if he played) rack up significant yardage overland?  Actuality:  Denard wore headphones and Devin played an outstanding game. Would they be able to score in the red zone? Yes. By land and air.  Would they avoid offensive errors? Actuality:  Devin played a fine game, with only one interception.  The Wolverines had a single fumble, after a 50-yard run.  Devin was poised, knew when to throw the ball away, took some shots and hung onto the ball, and passed and ran well. His bootleg TD run in overtime provided the winning margin. On his one interception he may have misread man when it was a zone defense.  He is my player of the game. He threw for 286-yards and 2 TDs, and also ran for two TDs, winning the game with the last one, and stretching for the pylon on the first one.  He is a great athlete in his own right that has stepped up and out into the limelight.

Coach Hoke on Devin: “I think Devin was very consistent. I thought he stayed in the game and managed the offense. He had the one bad throw, probably two of them during the course of the game. He’s just got to see the field a little better, but he moved our offense. I thought he did a nice job on third down; I think we were 7-of-10, which is pretty good.”

Devin was chased hard for my player of the game accolade by Roy Roundtree.   Roy caught well going 5 for 139.  The hands were there.  Roundtree’s opportunistic 4th quarter catch in regulation, where he snagged a pass re-directed by the defensive back, and no doubt saved the win. Late in the game and down three points M’s chances of winning the game seemed slim if not impossible.  Impossible until Gardner hit Roundtree for a 53-yard gain, and Roy made his improbable catch.  That set up Brandon Gibbons FG to send the 31-31 game into overtime, with only a pair of seconds left on the ticker.  Gibbon’s kick was for 26-yards. Jeremy Gallon caught 7 for 94-yards.

Coach Hoke on Roundtree’s catch: “We had to get ourselves into field goal range. We used the three timeouts in the right manner earlier. It was one of those things, we got some good field position because of the punt return, so that really helped us. It got us into a good area. Then, it kind of fell into Roy’s hands. He did a tremendous job fighting for it, keeping his eye on the football, and he came down with a big one.”

Without Denard the Wolverine rushing game has been spotty at best this season.  It is a shame that at this late date in the season the offense is unsettled because of an injury to Denard, and the fact that the ground game has not lived up to either expectations or last year’s effectiveness.  I hoped to see Denard at full rushing capacity, if not full passing capacity.  His injury is a shame.

The Wolverines were attempting to go 12-0 at the Big House under Coach Hoke, and that’s the way it was-finally.

THE GAME AND BRIEF SCORING RECAP: The Wolverines received, stalled and punted.  The Wildcats went to work advancing with a spectacular one handed catch.  This for a team that the statistics said could not pass.  Venric Mark scored on a three yard run.  M-0, NW- 7.

A 10-play, 78-yard drive featuring a 32-yard catch by Roy Roundtree on the NW half of the field, and an eight yard gallop by Devin Gardner in which he stretched for the pylon, and scored, resulted in a 7-7 game.  It was reassuring to know that the offense could move the ball without Denard against this group in a critical game.

Fitz Toussaint showed some life in the second quarter with a nifty fifty-yard run, but the ball was poked out, and recovered by the ‘Cats.  M’s Joe Bolden saved the day, when NW returned the favor and donated the ball back.  On the foundation of a 17-yard Devin Gardner scramble, Thomas Rawls plowed into the end zone for six on a one-yard run, and suddenly it was M-14, NW 7.

But those pesky ‘Cats would not leave well enough alone and tied the score before the half.  Coach Fitzgerald inserted passing QB Trevor Siemians, and he produced a 56-yard drive culminating in a 19-yard TD pass.  At the half it was knotted a 14- all.

After that it was worrisome as the ‘Cats would receive to start the second.  Those worries were justified.  10 plays and 75-yards later they had another TD. M-14, NW-21.  Then they hit a 34-yard field goal, and it was M-14, NW 24, and it was looking like we might be out of the race.

But when Gardner hit Jeremy Gallon on a 42-yard pass, and then Fitz Toussaint on 28-yard scoring pass, a semblance of order was again restored.  M-21, NW 24.

In the final quarter, the Wildcats made some mistakes that hurt.  There was a costly a block in the back penalty.  The Wolverines were buried at their own nine-yard line, but not in despair, having had the benefit of two back to back passes to Roy Roundtree.  Then came the TD strike to Freshman TE Devin Funchess with under 10 minutes in the game. Great throw and catch.  The ever improving Funchess is definitely earning his scholarship. M-28, NW-24.

The wily Wildcats set off on a journey of clock domination which lasted about five minutes and ended with a 15-yard scoring pass.  The receiver was so open it was painful, and Michigan was behind again M-28, NW 31.

Enter Dennis Norfleet, who hauled the ensuing KO 37-yards to the M 42.  Seemingly trapped he reversed direction and scampered up the side line.  Gardner then threw an interception and I thought for sure, this time it was over.  The ‘Cats ran the clock down to 18 seconds, and the Wolverines had it at their 38.

Enter Roundtree, as he became the recipient of the spectacular 53-yard grab described above, which Gibbons promptly flew the ball thru the uprights for three, and it was 31 all and overtime was on tap.

NW won the toss and forced M to go first.  Devin Gardner finished the game with a roll out around end for a third and one, one-yard score. M-38, NW-31 and it was up the defense. They rose to the occasion, and by stopping the ‘Cats cold, preserved the win.

Both teams played well in a very competitive and exciting game that was worth the price of a ticket on a decent football day, in a beautiful setting, played when some feel a football game should be played.

It looks like Devin Gardner can carry the load, and he is a great athlete. He has restored confidence in the belief that there will be an experienced candidate for the position in the QB competition next year.  The injury to Denard has a real downside in almost all respects, but it has not hurt a thing that Devin has had the chance to acquire real game winning experience.

Hopefully Denard will be back at the helm next week and at 100%, for his last fling in Michigan Stadium.  Crowd appreciation for him should be as momentous as it is deserved.  Will we ever see his like again?

Bring on the Hawkeyes!

Go Blue!

Posted on

M-FOOTBALL 2012: MINNESOTA’S GOPHERS GO FER IT, BUT FALL WAY SHORT AS RESERVE QUARTERBACK DEVIN GARDNER EXCELS IN FIRST START: MICHIGAN 35; MINNESOTA 13.

INJURIES SIDELINE ROBINSON, BUT THE LITTLE BROWN JUG IS ON ITS WAY HOME BECAUSE OF THE WOLVERINE’S DEFENSE, AND DEVIN GARDNER AND FRIENDS.

The Michigan Wolverines football team traveled to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis St. Paul, to meet the Minnesota Gophers in their still new TCF Bank stadium on Saturday. The Wolverines were looking to improve their suddenly uncomfortably uncertain football prospects, and in so doing had to kill Gopher Coach Jerry Kill and Company’s dreams of improving their own bowl prospects with a signature win.

The Gophers must have yearned for the football respectability that a win over the University of Michigan would afford them. They were coming off their most solid win of the season, having destroyed Purdue 44-23 last Saturday. This improved their expectations and gave some probability, but not certainty, to obtaining the object of their quest. Sitting at 5 wins, and 3 Big Ten losses, they critically needed another win to go bowling.

Understandably, they wanted to lay their Gopher paws on our Little Brown Jug again. One of the most venerable and venerated “trophies” in the history of college football, it has dwelt most of its time in Ann Arbor, at home in the home of the Wolverines, and it is difficult to categorize any season that ends with its absence as a success.

Even though M leads the series 71-24-1, the Gophers have had their moments. Rickey Foggy laid a memorable loss on the number two ranked Wolverines in 1986, and for those of us in attendance, that was bitter. And there was that miserable playing surface at the Metro dome, where the fleet and shifty Tony Boles ran up the sideline for a nice gain, but twisted a knee, and lost his playing career, due it was said, to a miserable Metro dome rug. Among those 24 prior Wolverine losses there were some stunners.

The Wolverines set out, as they always do, to provide the Jug with a round trip ticket. But there were obstacles in the way, not the least of which were some aspects of the Wolverine’s team itself.

PREGAME KEYS:

When Denard Robinson fell on his elbow in the second quarter of last Saturday’s Nebraska loss, it illustrated like nothing else could how dependent the Wolverines offensive productivity is on his many athletic skills. Some had suspected that M’s offense was a one act pony, and the Nebraska game seemed to prove the point. This injury changed the course of Michigan’s offense, just as it made Nebraska change its very conservative, contain Robinson at all costs, defense. They went to a hell for leather blitzing scheme which took its toll on Denard’s replacement, Freshman Russell Bellomy.

Russell suffered the growing pains of inexperience, the slings and arrows of some fans, and too little help from his friends as catchable passes were dropped, blitzers were coming free, and nearly everything else that besets QBs in ineffective debuts, beset Russell. It was as intense a baptism and learning situation as it was dismal. Russell was 3 of 16 for 38-yards and three interceptions.

  • Could Denard shake off his injured elbow, start and play at his usual high level of performance shaking off the injury? Actuality: No, the injury has persisted. Good luck trying to find out if Denard will be ready for next week until game time. 
  • If Denard was not available, would Devin Gardner or Russell Bellomy replace him? Prior to Nebraska, Coach Hoke said in a presser that Russell was the back up, and that he was taking most of the snaps. Now the scenario had changed a little and they were saying that Devin Gardner would get more snaps at QB, and that there was competition at the position. Actuality: Devin Gardner started and after a dismal first quarter, got going. The ice breaker was a third and seventeen pass play in which he rolled to his right, circled back left, and heaved a perfect pass to Drew Dileo waiting by himself in the end zone. Devin held the ball for nine seconds before the toss. That play set the Michigan offensive wheels in motion. Devin’s career day included 12 completions, 2 TDs, and one interception. He hit 67% of his passes, hitting 12 of 18, for 234-yards. He had a very athletic run down the sidelines. 
  • Could the Wolverines run the ball with no Denard? Actuality: Late in the game, on fourth and one, Fitz broke up the middle late in the game for a 41-yard score. Almost collared, he put an arm down, regained balance and sped to six. He had 70-yards on 13 carries. Thomas Rawls ran 16 times for 43-yards, and played early in the game. Devin Gardner had 44-yards on 10 carries. Jeremy Gallon rushed twice for 21-yards. The total of 182-yards and a 3.9-yard average rush is nothing to write home about considering the struggle of the competition’s defense against the rush, but its better than some recent results. Could M throw it? Actuality: The passing was not effective in the first quarter. The offensive line did not hold its own in that quarter. The passing game was great the rest of the game. As mentioned Devin had some good runs. On his TD run, he ran as tough as any back and stretched for six . It was a remarkable play that was the game’s turning point. The receiver’s cooperated with Devin. Dileo, Roundtree, and Gallon all making outstanding catches. Gallon was a little inconsistent, fumbling a punt return, and getting a silly block in the back penalty, but he redeemed all by snaring a 47-yarder with a beautiful catch. Relatively short, Gallon showed remarkable elevation making that catch, as he has others. Gallon had four with a score. Drew Dileo had 69-yards on four catches and a TD. Roy Roundtree caught two for 64-yards with a long of 47-yards. This was a spectacular grab he as he wrestled with the defender. The catch was upheld on review. Michigan “won” all its reviews.
  • Would the defense continue to improve? Get off the field and stop big plays? Actuality: The defense did well overall. They snuffed a critical fourth and ones and were great in the red zone, once backing short and goal back up to the twenty. They held Minnesota to 144-yds rushing and 147-yards passing, maintaining another 13 point effort. Jake Ryan had nine tackles, three of which were TFLs. Kenny Demens had 10-tackles with one of those being a TFL. The Gophers were limited to 49-yards offense in the second quarter. Outstanding. But with room for improvement per Coach Hoke.  Probably he was thinking of third and long conversions, and that first drive.
  • Would special teams again be special? Too often the Gophers had good field position on KO returns, and Will Hagerup was less spectacular punting than usual, hitting 3 for 88-yards. His 29.3 average was surprising. Gibbons missed an extra point but got a re-try on a Minnesota gift, keeping his made string intact.
  • Penalties? Michigan made some stupid penalties, but Minnesota hurt themselves, once getting charged for two penalties on the same play, and an ill- advised fake kick was effectively snuffed out be the Wolverines.

BRIEF GAME AND SCORING RECAP:

The Wolverines received and it looked like a replay of last week’s troubles at Nebraska would materialize again as the offensive line and Devin struggled, tossing an early interception, but the defense proved solid and the quarter ended zip to zip. A short punt put the Gophers at the M 43 and they took full advantage of the good field position, driving 43-yards on a 6 play drive ending with a 6-yard TD pass. M-0, Minn.- 7.

The Wolverines put together a sweet 91-yard, 12-play drive featuring the 45-yard end zone reception by Drew Dileo that marked the emergence of Devin Gardner and the resurgence of the Wolverines offense. Dileo knows how to get open and he catches the ball reliably all the time, and spectacularly some of the time. The TD drought was over. M-7, Minn.-7.

The Wolverines showed they meant business by producing a 13-play, 90-yard drive. Roundtree, Funchess, and J. Robinson, caught passes and Gardner contributed a nice run. Thomas Rawls finished the drive with a two-yard TD run and it was 14-7 and halftime.

In the third quarter, Minnesota drove to the M 14, but turned the ball over on downs, and during a 7 play 86-yard drive, Gardner hit Jeremy Gallon for a 47-yard completion. M-21, Minn.-7.

In the 4th quarter Minnesota got 3 back on a 26-yard FG. The defense held them to a FG, after they had got to the M 3-yard line. A good example of the defense’s effectiveness when and opponent is in its red zone. M-21, Minn-10.

Soon Devin Gardner was at it again conducting an 8-play 70-yard scoring drive with Roy Roundtree gathering in a 47-yard reception at the Minnesota three. What a reception that was. Roy caught the ball as well as the arm of the defender, and replay verified that the call of a catch on the field was valid. M-28, Minn-10.

Minnesota produced another long drive of 13-plays and 69-yards, which ended at fourth and goal at the M 2. It was another great defensive stand. M-28, Minn-13.

Fitz Toussaint then ripped off the 41-yard TD jaunt described above and it was over. FINAL: M-35, Minn.-13.

In Coach Jerry Kill’s second season, the Gophers have been a much improved team over the one that the Wolverines destroyed in Ann Arbor last year 58-0. With five wins and three losses, they are hunting for a bowl berth in spite of playing musical chairs at QB and on the offensive line. That said, most teams have not had to pass much against them as rushing yardage has been readily available. The Wolverines rushing game again still struggled somewhat, but with Gardner’s contributions, it was enough for a very needed win.

Congratulations to Devin Gardner who had a spectacular first start, and bring on a good Northwestern team.  And thanks to you for perusing these pages.

 

Go Blue!

Posted on

Nothing But ‘Net – Week #02 – 11/05/2012 – Exhibition Win, Part 1

This season, the University of Michigan men’s basketball team is playing two exhibition games, instead of the normal single game. On Thursday (11/01/2012) evening, they played the first exhibition game, and crushed Northern Michigan 83-47. It was a typical exhibition game against an overmatched opponent: everyone got to play, Coach Beilein got to try a bunch of different lineup combinations, there were some highlight-reel shots and dunks, and all the UM fans went home entertained and happy.

However, it was more than your typical first game; it was time for The Big Reveal of the newly-renovated Crisler Center. It is gorgeous. Just stunning. I know you’ve heard it before from other writers, but it’s true; it looks like a brand new building, not a renovation of the old Crisler Arena. The outer concourse is much cleaner, brighter, and more spacious. The concession stands, bathrooms, and M-Den stores are beautiful. The grand entrance (NE corner) with the escalators and waterfalls is stunning. The architects and builders did a wonderful job, and now it’s up to the teams that play in Crisler Center to do their part.

As a team, Michigan did fine. They shot a decent percentage (42.9%) overall, a good percent from 3-point range (41.9%), and a mediocre percentage (61.5%) from the free-throw line. They got 50 rebounds, which is a big improvement on the last few seasons, and they only had 8 turnovers. They also had 17 assists on 27 made field goals, which is great.

Here are all the stats, if you want to see the details.

So, who looked good in the NMU game? Well, the biggest surprise was Spike Albrecht. He started in place of Trey Burke, who served a one-game suspension for “a violation of team standards”. Spike started out strong, with a 3-pointer, an assist on a 3-pointer, a 2-point basket “and one”, and an assist on another 3-pointer. This was all part of a 17-0 run to start the game. Spike ended up with 16 points on 4-for-7 shooting (3-for-6 from 3-point range).

Spike wasn’t the only freshman who looked good: Nik Stauskas was the leading scorer in the game, with 17 points on 5-for-8 shooting (4-for-6 from 3-point range). He and Mitch McGary were the first two subs off the bench, and Nik caught and fired the inbounds pass for a 3-pointer one second after he entered the game! The reports from practice say “if Nik is open, he doesn’t miss a 3-pointer”, and it looks like they weren’t exaggerating. If he can get open in the regular season games and keep hitting his 3-pointers, he’ll be a valuable weapon.

All five of the true freshmen (“The Fresh Five”) played, including all five of them on the court at the same time, and they all scored. Besides Spike and Nik, Glenn Robinson III played well. He was every bit as athletic as advertised, and he shot the ball well: 5-for-8 (2-for-3), for 13 points. He had a couple thunderous dunks, and he looked solid and confident out there. Mitch played pretty well, but didn’t have many points: 5 points on 2-for-4 shooting. He did have 9 rebounds, including 6 offensive boards. The final true freshman, Caris LeVert, played the fewest minutes of the freshman, and scored the fewest points. He had 3 points on 1-for-5 shooting (1-for-2), and he looked OK out there, but not as good as the rest of the freshmen.

UM had 4 players in double figures, and the 4th one was Tim Hardaway Jr., with 13 points on below-average shooting: 3-for-9 (2-for-5). He had a pretty good game, but definitely not mid-season form.

Jordan Morgan looked good in the NMU game, but he just missed hitting double figures, with 9 points on 4-for-8 shooting. He did have a team-high 12 rebounds (5 offensive), so he just missed a double-double.

The starting lineup was: Robinson, Morgan, Albrecht, Hardaway, and Matt Vogrich. Matt had a rough night shooting 3-pointers (0-for-4), but he shot 2-for-3 from 2-point range, for 4 points. He looked OK out there, but not great.

As I mentioned above, everyone played; well, everyone except for Trey Burke (one-game suspension) and Jon Horford (minor knee injury). The only other player to score was Eso Akunne, who scored 3 points on 1-for-2 shooting, all from 3-point range. Max Bielfeldt got in early in the 1st half, and played pretty well, but didn’t score. I want Blake McLimans to succeed, but he just didn’t play very well during his 8 minutes on the floor, shooting 0-for-3 (0-for-2). The last 2 players (Josh Bartelstein and Corey Person) played the final 3 minutes of “garbage time”, and didn’t take a shot, although Josh did get to shoot (and miss) 2 free throws.

So, overall we didn’t learn too much from the NMU game, but we seldom do in these exhibition romps against overmatched Division II teams. Michigan looked pretty sharp and pretty smooth out there, even with lots of different player combinations, but Northern didn’t present much of a challenge.

This Week

Michigan has two games this week, both at home. On Monday (11/05/2012, 7:00 p.m., No TV), Michigan plays their second and final exhibition game vs. Saginaw Valley State, then on Friday (11/09/2012, 8:30 p.m., No TV), they play their first regular season game vs. Slippery Rock. UM should win both games handily, so look at them as controlled scrimmages.

Come on down to the newly renovated Crisler Arena to check out this season’s edition of Michigan Basketball, and stop by sections 209/210 to say hi to the friendly usher.

Go Blue!

Posted on

Nothing But ‘Net – Week #01 – 10/29/2012 – Season Preview

Welcome back for another season of Nothing But ‘Net, your best source for a unique usher-based point-of-view of University of Michigan men’s basketball.  I know what you’re thinking: “why would I want to know what an usher thinks about the basketball team?”  Good question!  Easy answer: I’m more than just an usher, I’m a (2-time) alumnus (LSA 1978 and School of Information 2004), and I’ve been a UM basketball fan since 1974.  How’s that?  Still want more?  I’ve been writing this column weekly (during the season) since 1999, longer than any of the other Web-based writers.  Sure, there are other writers out there, and I read their stuff, but they don’t bring you the fan-based viewpoint that you get at UMGoBlue.com.  Check back every Monday morning from now until the end of the season (hopefully after the National Championship game) for a quick review of what happened last week, and what to expect during the upcoming week, all in one easy-to-read article.

 

You want easy-to-read?  OK, let’s get right to the big question:

 

How good is the 2012-2013 team going to be?  The easy answer: really good.

 

In general, preseason polls aren’t worth the electrons they’re made up of, but they do give a decent guess at what to expect, and most of the polls have UM in the Top 10, averaging around 6.  Michigan has a strong group of returning players, and an excellent group of incoming freshmen.  UM won a share of the Big Ten championship last season, and expectations are high.  Keep reading for more details.

 

Last Season

 

Michigan ended the season with a record of 24-10 (13-5 in the Big Ten).  This is on the upper end of what most of the experts predicted.  UM also won a share of the Big Ten regular season title, along with Michigan State and Ohio State.  That was definitely the highlight of the season.  The bad news was how poorly they played in the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.  They barely won their 1st game in the Big Ten Tournament vs. Minnesota, then they got blown out in their next game against Ohio State.  Still, they were awarded a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but that didn’t stop them from losing to a #13 seed, Ohio University.  It was a lousy end to a good season.

 

Even though the season ended with a whimper instead of a bang, things were looking very promising for next season, with most of the key players returning from last season’s team, and a very impressive recruiting class set to come in.  Then the bad news hit, all on the same day: first, three players (Carlton Brundidge, Colton Christian, and Evan Smotrycz) all decided to leave the team at the same time, then the best player on the team (Trey Burke) announced that he was examining his NBA draft options.  None of this was good news, but it might still work out OK.  Losing Smotrycz was a blow, but the incoming recruits should soften that blow somewhat.  The other two players (Brundidge and Christian) didn’t play much, and they won’t be missed.  The big question mark was Burke.  Fortunately, he decided to stay!

 

Players Lost

 

Michigan lost 6 players from last season’s team: 2 graduating seniors and 4 transfers:

 

 

After 4 very productive years, Stu Douglass and Zack Novak finally graduated.  They were true Michigan Men™, and they will be missed, not just for their on-court contributions, but also for their leadership.

 

The other 4 players won’t be missed, except for maybe Smotrycz.  Christian and Brundidge didn’t play much, and didn’t do much when they did play.  Tummala was a preferred walk-on who redshirted last year, and never played.

 

Players Returning

 

Michigan has a very talented group of players returning this season.  Here they are, by class year (eligibility):

 

Freshman Eligibility

 

Max Bielfeldt #44 (6’7”, 245 pounds, F) – Max was voluntarily redshirted last year, so he retains freshman eligibility.  He’s a big, strong player, but we’ve never seen him play in a college game.  I suspect he’ll be mostly a scout team player, and only get into the game for “garbage time”.

 

Sophomore Eligibility

 

Trey Burke #3 (6’0”, 190 pounds, G) – Trey was one of the best players on the team last season, and he’s a key component on this season’s team.  He is an elite point guard, with a nice shooting touch and great passing ability.  It was a big deal when he decided to skip the NBA draft after last season and return for his sophomore season.

 

Jon Horford #15 (6’10”, 250 pounds, F) – Jon started last season playing pretty well, certainly much-improved from his freshman season, then he broke a bone in his right foot after just 9 games, and missed  the rest of the season.  He was granted a medical redshirt season, so he has sophomore eligibility.  I’m expecting him to be a steady contributor, although he’s going to have to work hard to earn minutes in the crowded UM front court.

 

Junior Eligibility

 

Tim Hardaway Jr. #10 (6’6”, 205 pounds, G) – Tim was the other “best player on the team” last season, along with Trey Burke, and he’s going to be counted on to be another key component on this season’s team.  He had a fabulous freshman season, but his sophomore season was just a little “off”.  He had several great games, but he would often disappear for an entire first half, then play like a man possessed in the second half.  He’s quick, he’s tough, he can shoot from outside and drive to the basket, he’s got good vision, and he’s got great “basketball smarts”.

 

Blake McLimans #22 (6’10”, 240 pounds, F) – Blake is listed as a senior on the official UM web page, but he voluntarily redshirted during his freshman year, so he has junior eligibility.  He came to Michigan with a reputation as a good 3-point shooter, but he went 1-for-19 during his freshman season.  He did a little better last season, starting off hitting 3 of his first 4 attempts, but ended the season shooting 5-for-12.  He needs to improve on that to see much playing time this season.  For a player his size, he gets remarkably few rebounds (21 last season), and plays a lot shorter than his actual height.

 

Jordan Morgan #52 (6’8”, 250 pounds, F) – Jordan redshirted his freshman year, for various medical reasons, so he has junior eligibility.  He plays taller than his listed height, and he plays hard and tough underneath.  He was Michigan’s only true center last season, once Jon Horford went out with his foot injury, but he’ll have a lot more help this season.

 

Senior Eligibility

 

Eso Akunne #5 (6’2”, 225 pounds, G) – Eso played in 12 games last season, until he injured his foot.  He missed the last 13 games, but doesn’t qualify for a medical redshirt year.  Even when he did play, he didn’t do much.  He did shoot 3-pointers well: 4-for-5.

 

Josh Bartelstein #20 (6’3”, 210 pounds, G) – Josh played in 11 games last season.  He is primarily a practice squad player.  He also writes a very interesting and amusing blog during the season.

 

Corey Person #32 (6’3”, 210 pounds, G) – Corey is listed as a Grad Student, but he has senior eligibility.  He was honored during Senior Night at the end of last season, but he’s back again this season.  Go figure.  He is primarily a practice squad player.

 

Matt Vogrich #13 (6’4”, 200 pounds, G) – Matt is the only mainstream player in the senior class.  He’s a good 3-point shooter, but needs to work on his overall game a bit to get more playing time.

 

New Players

 

Here comes the fun part: a top 5 recruiting class.

 

Michael (“Spike”) Albrecht #2 (5’11”, 170 pounds, G) – When it looked like Trey Burke might leave for the NBA, Coach Beilein went right out and got the best point guard still available, as insurance.  That’s Spike.  He’s a pure “pass first” point guard, with lots of “basketball IQ”, but not a Big Ten body.  We’ll see how he does out there against the big boys.

 

Caris LeVert #23 (6’5”, 170 pounds, G) – Check it out: he’s 6 inches taller than Spike, but he weighs the same.  So, he’s a little on the thin side.  Caris is the “sleeper” of this recruiting class.  He didn’t come in with all the hype that the next 3 guys (Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III, and Nik Stauskas) brought with them, but from everything I’ve been hearing from practice, he can flat-out play.  He’s fast and clever.  He just needs some time in the weight room.

 

Mitch McGary #4 (6’10”, 250 pounds, F) – Mitch is the most-heralded player in this recruiting class, ranked as high as #2 in the country at one point, and I’m hoping that he’ll be the center that Michigan has needed for the last 10 years.  He’s tall, he’s big, he’s strong, and he’s a pretty good all-around player.

 

Glenn Robinson III #1 (6’6”, 210 pounds, F) – If Mitch McGary is the most-heralded recruit in this class, Glenn is a close second.  He wasn’t very highly ranked when he committed to UM, but he climbed in the rankings during his last 2 seasons in high school, and now he’s considered to be a big-time recruit.  He’s quick, smooth, and very athletic, and he’s a great scorer.  I can’t wait to see him play.  Oh yeah, his nickname before he got to UM was “Tre” (or “Trey”), but since UM already has a prominent Trey (Burke), he’s trying to change it to “GIII” or “GRIII”.  You have been warned.

 

Nik Stauskas #11 (6’6”, 190 pounds, F) – Nik could be the elusive “great 3-point shooter” that the Beilein system needs.  He has rung up impressive numbers in practice with his 3-point shooting, but we’ll have to see if he can do it in a real college game.  Also, he needs to work on his all-around game, especially his defense, it he wants to be a mainstream player.

 

All in all, it’s a great recruiting class, with some height (finally), some power, some shooting, and some athleticism.  Now it’s up to Coach Beilein to figure out how to turn all this talent into a coherent team.

 

This Season

 

Let’s take a look at Michigan’s schedule for this season:

 

[styled_table]

DateOpponentLocationTime (ET)

11/01/2012 (Thu) Northern Michigan (exh) Ann Arbor, MI 7:00 p.m.
11/05/2012 (Mon) Saginaw Valley State (exh) Ann Arbor, MI 7:00 p.m.
11/09/2012 (Fri) Slippery Rock Ann Arbor, MI 8:30 p.m.
NIT Season Tip-Off
11/12/2012 (Mon) IUPUI Ann Arbor, MI 9:00 p.m.
11/13/2012 (Tue) Cleveland St./Bowling Green Ann Arbor, MI 8:00 p.m.
11/19/2012 (Mon) Consolation (if necessary) Ann Arbor, MI TBA
11/20/2012 (Tue) Consolation (if necessary) Ann Arbor, MI TBA
11/21/2012 (Wed) Semifinal New York, NY 7:00/9:00 p.m.
11/23/2012 (Fri) Championship New York, NY 2:30/4:30 p.m.
ACC/Big Ten Challenge
11/27/2012 (Tue) North Carolina State Ann Arbor, MI 7:30 p.m.
12/01/2012 (Sat) Bradley Peoria, IL 4:00 p.m.
12/04/2012 (Tue) Western Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 8:30 p.m.
12/08/2012 (Sat) Arkansas Ann Arbor, MI 12:00 p.m.
12/11/2012 (Tue) Binghamton Ann Arbor, MI 7:00 p.m.
12/15/2012 (Sat) West Virginia Brooklyn, NY 8:00 p.m.
12/20/2012 (Thu) Eastern Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 8:30 p.m.
12/29/2012 (Sat) Central Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 7:00 p.m.
01/03/2013 (Thu) Northwestern Evanston, IL 7:00 p.m.
01/06/2013 (Sun) Iowa Ann Arbor, MI TBA
01/09/2013 (Thu) Nebraska Ann Arbor, MI 7:00 p.m.
01/13/2013 (Sun) Ohio State Columbus, OH 1:30/4:30 p.m.
01/17/2013 (Thu) Minnesota Minneapolis, MN 7:00 p.m.
01/24/2013 (Thu) Purdue Ann Arbor, MI 7:00 p.m.
01/27/2013 (Sun) Illinois Champaign, IL 6:00 p.m.
01/30/2013 (Wed) Northwestern Ann Arbor, MI 6:30 p.m.
02/02/2013 (Sat) Indiana Bloomington, IN 9:00 p.m.
02/05/2013 (Tue) Ohio State Ann Arbor, MI 9:00 p.m.
02/09/2013 (Sat) Wisconsin Madison, WI 12:00 p.m.
02/12/2013 (Tue) Michigan State East Lansing, MI 9:00 p.m.
02/17/2013 (Sun) Penn State Ann Arbor, MI 12:00 p.m.
02/24/2013 (Sun) Illinois Ann Arbor, MI 1/4/6 p.m.
02/27/2013 (Wed) Penn State State College, PA 6:30 p.m.
03/02/2013 (Sat)or03/03/2013 (Sun) Michigan State Ann Arbor, MI 5:15 p.m.or1:00/4:00 p.m.
03/06/2013 (Wed) Purdue West Lafayette, IN 7:00 p.m.
03/10/2013 (Sun) Indiana Ann Arbor, MI 1/4/6 p.m.
Big Ten Tournament
03/14/2013 (Thu) 1st Round Chicago, IL TBA
03/15/2013 (Fri) 2nd Round Chicago, IL TBA
03/16/2013 (Sat) Semifinals Chicago, IL 1:40/4:05
03/17/2013 (Sun) Championship Chicago, IL 3:30 p.m.

[/styled_table]
Some comments on the schedule:

 

  • Michigan has two exhibition games this season, instead of the typical single game.
  • Michigan is the only ranked team in the NIT Season Tip-Off, but it’s still a good field.  Besides UM, the other “name” teams are Virginia, Kansas State, and Pittsburgh.
  • Unlike all the other “destination” preseason tournaments, the NIT Season Tip-Off is the only one that doesn’t guarantee a spot in the championship rounds to the “host” (favored) teams.  That means that Michigan, Virginia, Kansas State, and Pittsburgh (the host teams) each have to win the 4-team “regionals” that they’re hosting to advance to the championship rounds in Madison Square Garden.  That’s why there are 2 “Consolation” games listed on the schedule, marked as “if necessary”.  If either IUPUI or the winner of the Cleveland State/Bowling Green game upsets Michigan, UM will stay home and play games on 11/19 and 11/20.  I don’t know who they would play.  However, if Michigan wins their “regional”, they will go to NYC for Thanksgiving.
  • Michigan usually plays all their December non-conference games at home, but not this season.  They’re going to Peoria to play Bradley, then to Brooklyn to play West Virginia.
  • There are 2 tough stretches in the schedule:
    • Starting on 02/02: @Indiana, home vs. Ohio State, @Wisconsin, @MSU.  If UM can even go 2-2 in that stretch, they’ll be in great shape.
    • Starting on 03/02: home vs. MSU, @Purdue, home vs. Indiana.  Those are the last 3 games of the regular season, and UM needs to finish strong.
  • Michigan only plays Iowa and Nebraska once (home) and Minnesota and Wisconsin once (away).  This is an unfavorable situation, since Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota are all lower-division teams, and playing at Wisconsin is a nightmare.

 

Expectations

 

I like to divide the games up into 3 categories (“Should Win”, “Should Lose”, and “Toss Up”):

 

  • Should Win (19) – Slippery Rock, IUPUI, Cleveland State/Bowling Green, Bradley, Western Michigan, Arkansas, Binghamton, West Virginia, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Northwestern (twice), Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Purdue (home), Penn State (twice). Illinois (home).
  • Should Lose (4) – @Indiana, @OSU, @Wisconsin, @MSU.
  • Toss Up (8) – Both games in NYC, N.C. State, Purdue (away), Illinois (away), OSU (home), MSU (home), Indiana (home).

 

So, if UM can win all 19 of the “Should Win” games, and half of the 8 “Toss Up” games, that would give them a record of 23-8 (12-6 in the Big Ten).  That probably won’t be good enough to win the Big Ten, but it will get UM a good seed in the NCAA Tournament.

 

This Week

 

As you can see in the schedule above, Michigan’s first (exhibition) game is this Thursday (11/01, 7:00 p.m., No TV) vs. Northern Michigan.  Of course, UM will win handily, and get to try all kinds of combinations of players out there.  Come on down to the newly renovated Crisler Arena to check out this season’s edition of Michigan Basketball, and stop by sections 209/210 to say hi.

 

Go Blue!