The Rise and Fall of Michigan Basketball in 1 Week and Recruiting News

So that was fun while it lasted. Michigan had just come off their first NCAA tournament bid since the Tractor Traylor days and even won a game in the tournament. They had their top two stars returning, a good recruiting class, and one of the best coaches in the country. Some basketball analysts had Michigan in their pre-season top 10.

With the Michigan Football team forgetting to win in October and November most Michigan fans turned their excitement to the #15 ranked basketball team. Michigan started the season 2-0 by playing 2 cupcakes in 2 weeks. They then head down to Orlando for the Old Spice Classic and beat Creighton in OT and lose to both Marquette and Alabama. Not good for the team favored to win the tournament and the only "ranked" team in the field.

Then they come back home last night and play Boston College. They will be mad and ready to play right? They will rebound with a big win, right? They will get rebounds, right? Nope.

It was the same old story from the Old Spice. Michigan didn't play defense, couldn't hit enough 3's, played lazy, and waited around for Manny to score. Manny did his best on a bad hamstring but he still can't hit a 3 pointer to save his life.

So this team is 3-3 with trips to Kansas and Utah still left on the calendar. They also play UConn at Crisler. If things don't change those are 3 more loses and no NCAA tournament unless they win the Big Ten Tournament. This has been one difficult week for John Beilien and program.

Maybe we all should become Butch Jones and Central Michigan fans? Go Chips! They seem to be the only program (college or pro) in the state that is playing well.

That is why I like to focus on recruiting. For all the good news!

• Tom VH recruiting insider from Mgoblog says Derrick Bryant might still be in the fold for Michigan. Derrick is a 3 star DE from Columbus, OH who has committed to UCLA. He visited Michigan for the Ohio State game and came away very impressed. Here is his quote from TomVH's discussion: "You never know what could happen. Two months is a long time. Michigan is a 9.9999999 out of 10 in second place" Coach Tall is planning a in home visit to Derrick soon.
  


• Update from DetNews and Sam Webb on Jonathan Hankins: In JH's words here is what happened regarding his Michigan offer: "As soon as I got back from my visit to Florida I talked to (Michigan assistant) Coach (Tony) Dews and he told me that I had a scholarship," Hankins said. "The whole (Michigan) defensive staff came to the school (Monday). They said it was a long process for them to offer me because they had to see what they had and who was coming back. I'm in (demand) because of the position I play." Right now Florida is #1 on his list but he is planning visits to Ann Arbor this weekend and Ohio State next. He hopes to make a decision before Christmas.
  

• Michigan's Annual Football Bust is Tonight. No Pun intended.
  

• Sources are saying that Florida's DC Charlie Strong is Louisville's top candidate. I 100% applaud Louisville if they hire Charlie. Getting a head coaching job is way over due for this talented coordinator. Many have wondered if Charlie's inter-racial marriage was causing teams not to hire him. Which I believe is ridiculous, I hope Louisville hires him right after the game on Saturday. Well done, Cardinals!

• Visitors to A2 this weekend include: ND Commit Spencer Boyd ( 3 star CB from Florida) and WVU commit Richard Ash. Richard just committed to WVU yesterday and is a 4 star DT from Pahokee, FL home of current Wolverines Martavious Odoms,Vincent Smith and Brandin Hawthorne.