To say this basketball team is anything but rebuilding this year is an understatement. Tommy Amaker left this team with little talent and no depth at all. In comes coach Beilein (a real basketball coach) and probably the best X and O's guy that Michigan as ever had. Coach works with the team on fundamentals and his new offense. He has to replace a few guys that just can't hack it on the court or in the classroom. He even has to ask the football team for a big guy just so they can practice 5 on 5.
Michigan was 7-17 going into Sunday's game against arch rival Ohio State. No hopes of the NCAA tournament or even a invite from Tommy's favorite NIT. This is a year where you can only hope to make strides for the future.
The last two games were showing signs that the hard work in practice and game experience against the top 25 teams all year were starting to pay off. Michigan was riding a two game win streak against Penn State and at Iowa. In to Ann Arbor rolls the Buckeyes who the Wolverines hadn't beat in basketball (or anything else) in 4 years. There were close calls but nothing to hang your hat on. As I’m sure you know this isn't the OSU team from the last two years, the NBA made sure of that but this is still a team full of talent and at 17-9 they are hanging on to their NCAA dreams as one of the famous bubble teams.
Even coach Rodriguez rolled out at half time to fire up the troops and introduce his family and new Michigan coaches. The OSU fans in attendance were nothing but "classy" as they continued to interrupt his speech a number of times. (BTW: This type of sh*t needs to stop. This rivalry needs to be about class and respect. I know both sides can be guilty of this and usually its just the actions of a few, but all fans need to check themselves and grow the "F" up)
Michigan was 7-17 going into Sunday's game against arch rival Ohio State. No hopes of the NCAA tournament or even a invite from Tommy's favorite NIT. This is a year where you can only hope to make strides for the future.
The last two games were showing signs that the hard work in practice and game experience against the top 25 teams all year were starting to pay off. Michigan was riding a two game win streak against Penn State and at Iowa. In to Ann Arbor rolls the Buckeyes who the Wolverines hadn't beat in basketball (or anything else) in 4 years. There were close calls but nothing to hang your hat on. As I’m sure you know this isn't the OSU team from the last two years, the NBA made sure of that but this is still a team full of talent and at 17-9 they are hanging on to their NCAA dreams as one of the famous bubble teams.
Even coach Rodriguez rolled out at half time to fire up the troops and introduce his family and new Michigan coaches. The OSU fans in attendance were nothing but "classy" as they continued to interrupt his speech a number of times. (BTW: This type of sh*t needs to stop. This rivalry needs to be about class and respect. I know both sides can be guilty of this and usually its just the actions of a few, but all fans need to check themselves and grow the "F" up)
See this Sunday was different, it was a day where Michigan wouldn't lay down or even give away a lead at the end. It was a day where the Wolverines looked a better team in the eye and came away with a 10 point victory. 3 in a row for those of you counting at home. No this victory won't get Michigan anything in March but it was the first sign that things are changing in Ann Arbor. A day when the two new coaches shared the same floor together and came away with a win over Ohio State. Things are changing in Ann Arbor and with Michigan's two most important programs. All of us have been waiting years for this to happen and folks it's finally here. Mark down the date of 2/17/08, because that is the day where the Wolverines waved goodbye to the past and started to welcome in the new. Things will be different from here on out.
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