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2012 Wolverine Football Bust: JORDAN KOVACS WINS BO SCHEMBECHLER MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD AND MORE.

The University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit held its annual football bust for the 92nd time at Livonia’s Laurel Manor Monday evening, and the stunning choice for MVP was Co-Captain Jordan Kovacs, who won the BO SCHEMBECHLER AWARD.  It was not a stunner because Jordan didn’t deserve or earn the distinction. He did deserve it and he did earn it.

A former walk on, he has consistently led the defense to improvement and success from his strong safety position through some of the most trying football times in Michigan history. Additionally Kovacs captured the ROBERT P.  UFER BEQUEST. That award goes to the senior who has demonstrated the most enthusiasm and love for Michigan.

The only real suprise associated with the award was that it was not again captured by Denard Robinson. The persistant injury that knocked him out of the Nebraska game hurt more than his arm. As you know Denard’s remarkable career has set many records and has been astounding, but this year has been an undeserved struggle. When a QB doesn’t throw a single pass in his team’s game of the season, you know there are major injury effects, although this was understandably passed off as just an “owie” earlier. I am sure, at the beginning of the season, no one, but no one, zeroed in on Jordan as the team’s MVP.  Good job Jordan! It looks like he has grown into that honorary Wistert Number 11.

This year Kovacs started 12 games, had 65 tackles, with 41 being solos, had 5 TFLs, two sacks, two pass breakups and one interception to cap an outstanding regular season.

Jordan and Denard received the Captain’s Award. Denard is the all-time accumulator of yards at Michigan with 10,669, and has 91-TDs, among other distinctions.

Patrick Omameh was awarded THE DOCTOR ARTHUR E. ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD. A four year letterman, the right guard has started 41-games, and been named a three time Academic All Big Ten Conference acheiver.

THE HUGH H. RADER JUNIOR MEMORIAL AWARD was captured by Taylor Lewan who was recognized as the top offensive lineman.

Jake Ryan has carved out a niche as the team’s top linebacker, being recognized by receiving the ROGER ZATKOFF AWARD.  With second team media Big Ten honors Jake is building a reputation for playing tough and effective football. For example, starting 12 games,  his four forced fumbles this year ties a single season UM record.

Craig Roh, Senior Defensive End was granted the RICHARD KATCHER AWARD. This recognizes Craig as the top defensive lineman. This is another player that has suffered coaching changes and position changes and has persevered to the benefit of his team. He is now tied with Jon Jansen for the most career starts with 50, and should break this tie with the New Year’s Day Bowl game.

If you are a fan that has never been to this event it is worth the cost, time and effort to attend. The evening is produced on a grand scale. Its production is first class and for those of you that do not see the players up close all the time, it is a great opportunity to put a face with a name and number, and hear the dedication of the players to their program and school.

 

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Nothing But ‘Net – Week #06 – 12/03/2012 – Still Perfect

7-0. Still perfect. Seven wins and no losses. It’s a good start.

The (#3) University of Michigan men’s basketball team played two games this week, and they won both of them. On Tuesday (11/27/2012), UM beat (#18) North Carolina State 79-72 in Crisler Arena as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, then on Saturday (12/01/2012), they beat Bradley 74-66 in Peoria, IL. The two wins raise UM’s record to 7-0. Oh yeah, the Big Ten and the ACC tied 6-6 in the Challenge, so the Big Ten keeps the trophy since they’re the defending champs.

Both games last week were tough, and that made sense for the NC State game, but not for the Bradley game. NC State is a good team, a Top 25 team, a team from the ACC. Bradley is not. They were lousy last season, and they’re a little better this season, but they still should have been cannon fodder for Michigan. Instead, UM let a 16-point lead almost disappear in the last 3:34 of the game. They let Bradley go on an 11-0 run in 3 minutes, but managed to stop the bleeding just long enough to run the clock out. It was scary. Sure, this was Michigan’s first true road game (the 2 games in NYC were neutral site games), and the Bradley crowd was pretty big (over 11,000) and loud, and UM played pretty well overall, but they seemed to lack the killer instinct against an overmatched opponent.

On the other hand, the win over NC State was pretty impressive. Michigan controlled the game, and once they got a decent lead, they never let NC State back into it. They did let the lead slip a little near the end, just like the Bradley game, but it’s much more understandable against a Top 25 team.

Time for some stats. First, the NC State game. Overall, Michigan shot pretty well (27-for-54 = 50.0%), but not as well as usual from 3-point range (9-for-24 = 37.5%). They got to the free-throw line a lot, and shot a good percentage: 16-for-20 = 80.0%. That was the difference in the game, since NCSU was only 6-for-9 (66.7%) from the line. Those extra 10 points made the difference. For the first time this season, UM was out-rebounded (25-31), but UM did a great job of protecting the ball, with only 6 turnovers.

The stats from the Bradley game are about the same. Michigan shot pretty well overall (26-for-53 = 49.1%), but much better from 3-point range (7-for-15 = 46.7%). Once again, they made more free throws than Bradley attempted. UM was 15-for-21 (71.4%) from the line, while Bradley was only 8-for-12 (66.7%). Those extra 7 points sure helped in an 8-point victory. Michigan won the rebounding battle this time (32-24), but had too many turnovers (13).

After 6 games of the “Matt Vogrich Experiment”, Coach Beilein finally replaced Vogrich in the starting lineup with Nik Stauskas for the Bradley game. Stauskas has played very well in every game this season coming off the bench, and Vogrich hasn’t really done much, so the change makes sense.

Looking at the individual stats, three players hit double figures in both games:

  • Trey Burke (18 vs. NCSU and 16 vs. Bradley). Trey also had a career-high 11 assists in the NC State game, for his first career double-double.
  • Glenn Robinson III (11 and 13).
  • Nik Stauskas (20 and 22). Nik was the leading scorer in both games. Each game represented a new career high. He was 4-for-7 and 4-for-5 shooting 3-pointers. He was awesome.

Two other players came close to double figures in both games:

  • Tim Hardaway Jr. (16 and 9). Tim continued to have trouble shooting from 3-point range: 1-for-9 and 1-for-2.
  • Jordan Morgan (6 and 10). Jordan did have 10 rebounds in the Bradley game, for his second career double-double.

The other (semi)starter didn’t do much:

  • Matt Vogrich (0 and 0). Matt is going to have to fight his way off the bench.

Besides Stauskas, some of the other bench players chipped in some points:

  • Mitch McGary (8 and 2). Mitch also had 5 rebounds in each game.
  • Max Bielfeldt (DNP and 2). Max didn’t play vs. NC State, but he played for 9 minutes in his hometown (Peoria) vs. Bradley. He did fine.

A few other bench players played in at least one game last week, but didn’t score:

  • Spike Albrecht – Spike did OK running the point in relief of Trey.
  • Eso Akunne – Eso didn’t play in the Bradley game.
  • Jon Horford – Jon didn’t play in the Bradley game.
  • Caris LeVert – Caris didn’t play in the NCSU game. In fact, it looked as if he was going to be redshirted this season, but I guess that’s not the case any more.

Blake McLimans and Corey Person didn’t play in either game. Josh Bartelstein is out for the next 6 weeks after surgery on his ankle, which was injured in the regular season opener vs. Slippery Rock.

This Week

Michigan has two games this week, both at home. On Tuesday (12/04/2012, 8:30 p.m., BTN), Michigan plays Western Michigan, then on Saturday (12/08/2012, 12:00 p.m., CBS), they play Arkansas.

WMU is pretty good this year. They’re 6-1, and they’ve beaten a couple pretty good teams: South Florida (on the road) and Oakland. Their only loss was in their opener at Cornell. Arkansas is 3-3, and they’re down a little from last season, but they still managed to beat Michigan at their place last season, so this is a revenge game on national TV. I expect both games to be exciting and hard-fought, but I expect Michigan to win both of these games.

Check back next week to see what happened, and why.

Go Blue!

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Someday THE GAME May Matter Less- But Not While Hoke and Meyer Are Part of It…

There are well informed people who believe that the future of THE GAME is bleak.

The argument goes that since the teams have been placed in opposite divisions, THE GAME, has been forever diminished. Eventually it will dawn on people that since results of the Michigan/Michigan State game has a greater impact on the division standings, and a trip to the Big Ten (+4) conference championships, it will be become the marque match-up of the season.

Perhaps someday in an alternate bizarro universe (one where fans are actually geeked about Rutgers and Maryland joining the conference), where a RichRod-like coach leads the Wolverines (rivalry? let me tell you about Pittsburgh/West Virginia!!)  and a John Cooper-like coach leads ohio (why is calling us ohio an insult?) that may be the case.

But that’s not (thankfully) where we are today.

Brady Hoke grew up steeped in lore of the rivalry. He went to college and played football in Ohio, he was an assistant at Michigan for 8 years prior to leaving to be head coach at Ball State. He grew up a Michigan fan and even though he was a head coach at schools with red as a team color, wore white or black shirts on game days so as not to be reminded of the Buckeyes.

Rivalry countdown clocks at Schembechler Hall

When he became the head coach of the Wolverines he had clocks installed at Schembechler Hall counting down the days until the “rivalry” games and put other reminders up to highlight the importance of THE GAME against “that school in ohio”, while referring to the Buckeyes simply as “ohio“.

Hoke’s reminder to the team when he took over the Wolverines. This sign hung outside the Wolverine practice locker room.

Urban Meyer comes to lead the Buckeyes after a turbulent tenure leading the Florida Gators to 2 National Championships. While leading the Gators over two dozen of his players were arrested and Urban resigned due to health problems. Like Hoke, he also was born in Ohio (in Toledo which is far closer to Ann Arbor than Columbus) and also played college football in the state. He served as an assistant coach for the Buckeyes and appreciates the importance of beating “that school up north” both for recruiting and job security.

On Saturday, after completing his first season undefeated in Columbus, Urban took time to hassle a local reporter for wearing a blue tie to his post-game press conference.

Hoke won THE GAME his first year in the Big House and Meyer won THE GAME his first year in the snake pit.

GAME ON.

The health of this rivalry is strong and the pedigree of these two coaches insures that it will remain so during their tenures.

Hoke and Meyer weren’t able to shake hands after the game.

Hoke denies any intentional snub, declaring to reporters that the lack of a handshake “…is not a big deal…not a story.”

[podcast]http://umgoblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2012-UMohio-hoke-nobigdeal.mp3[/podcast]

It appears that Hoke and Meyer are gearing up for the next 10 Year War.

Tune in next year at the Big House for the next chapter.

You can be sure that Hoke and the Wolverines are already planning their revenge.

Photo from Schembechler Hall
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Nothing But ‘Net – Week #05 – 11/26/2012 – NIT Season Tip-Off Champions!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. The basketball team sure did.

The (#4) University of Michigan men’s basketball team played two games this week in the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament, both in Madison Square Garden in New York City, and they won both of them. On Wednesday (11/21/2012), UM beat Pittsburgh 67-62, then on Friday (11/23/2012), they beat Kansas State 71-57. The two wins raise UM’s record to 5-0, but more importantly, they give Michigan the NIT Season Tip-Off championship. This is the first preseason tournament that Michigan has won since 1997.

After playing “cupcakes” in their first 3 games, UM played 2 tough, aggressive, talented teams in NYC. The first 3 games didn’t tell us much about this season’s team, but these 2 games sure did. First of all, they told us that Michigan has a scrappy team that doesn’t give up. They also told us that Michigan has a lot of weapons, and that Coach Beilein isn’t afraid to use them. But most importantly, these 2 games showed us that UM can “win ugly”. In the first 3 games, the 3-pointers fell like rain, and Michigan looked great. In the 2 games in NYC, the 3-pointers did not fall, and Michigan looked vulnerable. However, once it became apparent that the 3-pointers weren’t going to fall, Michigan switched to an inside game, and that worked just fine. It’s nice to have so many options.

We didn’t learn too much from the stats from the first 3 games, but we can learn a lot from the stats from these games. First, let’s look at the stats for the Pittsburgh game. Michigan shot pretty well overall (23-for-50 = 46.0%), but they were terrible from 3-point range (3-for-17 = 17.6%). They did fine from the line (18-for-22 = 81.8%), and they out-rebounded Pitt (37-26) and had few turnovers (9). They won the game at the free-throw line, where they scored 18 points to Pitt’s 6.

The stats from the KSU game are a little different. UM shot better overall (29-for-56 = 51.8%), and they shot a little better from 3-point range (4-for-12 = 33.3%), but they didn’t shoot as well from the free-throw line (9-for-13 = 69.2%). They still won the rebounding battle (42-30), and they still had low turnovers (9). In this game, they won with rebounding and defense, holding KSU to 36.7% (22-for-60) overall shooting.

Looking at the individual stats, three players hit double figures in both games:

  • Trey Burke (17 vs. Pitt and 10 vs. KSU). Trey made the All-Tournament team.
  • Tim Hardaway Jr. (16 and 23). Tim was the tournament MVP, despite shooting a combined 2-for-10 from 3-point range.
  • Nik Stauskas (15 and 10). Why isn’t Nik starting?

One player came close to double figures in both games:

  • Glenn Robinson III (13 and 9). GRIII had 12 rebounds vs. KSU, but also shot poorly from 3-point range (1-for-5 combined).

The other 2 starters didn’t do much:

  • Jordan Morgan (4 and 0). Jordan did have 8 rebounds in the Pitt game.
  • Matt Vogrich (0 and 2). Why is Matt still starting? He’s a great kid, a nice guy, a good leader, but he’s just not doing much when he’s on the floor.

Besides Stauskas, some of the other bench players chipped in some points:

  • Mitch McGary (2 and 6). Mitch provided some much-needed heft underneath in both games.
  • Spike Albrecht (0 and 3). Spike did OK running the point in relief of Trey.
  • Eso Akunne (0 and 2). Eso showed some flashes of brilliance out there, but most of the time he just ran up and down the floor.
  • Jon Horford (0 and 6). Jon looked a little lost out there.

 

Max Bielfeldt didn’t play in the Pitt game, and played but didn’t score in the KSU game. Blake McLimans and Corey Person didn’t play in either game, and neither did Josh Bartelstein, but Josh didn’t play due to an ankle injury he suffered in the regular season opener vs. Slippery Rock.

This Week

Michigan has two games this week, one at home and one on the road. On Tuesday (11/27/2012, 7:30 p.m., ESPN), Michigan plays (#16) North Carolina State in Crisler Arena, as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, then on Saturday (12/01/2012, 4:00 p.m. EST, No TV), they play at Bradley, in beautiful Peoria, IL.

NC State (3-1) is a very good team, and this will be a great test for Michigan. On the other hand, Bradley isn’t very good, but it’s tough to win on the road against anyone. Still, I expect Michigan to win both of these games.

Check back next week to see what happened, and why.

Go Blue!