Michigan Monday: Happy To Be Invited

There is nothing worse when your a kid not to be invited to a "cool" party.   The Michigan Basketball Program pretty much since the late 90's was that kid in high school.  The only party they got an invite to was the NIT.  Michigan's last invite to the Cool Party was 2009, which was the first time since 1998. 

Not this Year!  The upside for this years team was clearly the NIT.  Michigan took basically the same team they had in 2009 and finished with a losing record in 2010 season.   The combination of Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims got Michigan back to the tournament but could not repeat that feat the next year and both players headed for the NBA.   So Michigan would have one of the youngest teams in the nation with no seniors and a bunch of true and redshirt freshman getting a ton of playing time.  The projected finish in a tough Big Ten was anywhere from 8th to 11th place.  Michigan finished 4th and lost to the #1 team in the nation in the Big Ten Tournament. 

John Beilein clearly has done his best coaching job of his Michigan career this year with this over achieving team.  It has been a fun ride most of the year (minus the 6 game losing streak).   Michigan is now an 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament taking on much aligned Tennessee Volunteers whose coach Bruce Pearl lied to the NCAA and the SEC suspended him basically half of the SEC season. 

I hope Michigan beats Tennessee and plays Duke in Round 3 because I know the Wolverines wouldn't be afraid after playing OSU 3 times, Kansas, and Syracuse.  Even if they lose on Friday, this year has been more "cake then frosting".  Starting on Friday, it's nothing but frosting and I hope the young Wolverines enjoy it and come back next year and play championship basketball. 

Fab 5 30 for 30 Last Night

I thought was real and entertaining.  I appreciated the openness that each player had during the piece.  It was a special time and the documentary showed the highs and lows of those 2 years.   The Fab 5 put Michigan Basketball on the map.   The 1989 National Championship run was special but the Fab 5 took the Michigan program to another level, it also destroyed the program for 10+ years. 

Ed Martin Scandal:  I would like it proven how Ed Martin was a Michigan Booster.  Like Jalen said, ED gave money to many Detroit high school players.  Yes, he paid some Wolverines.  But what about players that went to other schools?  Did he pay Spartans?  Did he pay Golden Gophers?  The answer is yes.  If he did, how could he be a Michigan booster?  Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with him paying players and yes, Michigan should have been punished for it's players taking money but Ed wasn't paying players to come to Michigan.  He was paying players for a return when they made it to the NBA.

Chris Webber:  Yes, I wish the entire situation with him and Ed Martin never happended but whats in the past is in the past.  He was a young kid and the LeBron of his time.   He picked Michigan because he wanted to be part of something special.  He was right it was a special time, he was wrong to take money from Ed Martin but I have to agree to what Mitch Albom said, if he took $300K from Ed Martin, I don't know what he did with it?   Around A2 at this time, it was pretty well known that Chris struggled with money for CD's, food, etc.   So my point is, not whether he took the money or not, my point is there is more to this story then we know.  If Chris wants to tell it, it's up to him.  If he doesn't he should be remember as a special part of the Fab 5 and we all should just move on.

Anything sound familiar?

• A team that wasn't supposed to do anything ends up a high seed in the NCAA Tournament
• One of the youngest teams in the nation
• Potential Duke Match Up
• Wins over Michigan State
• Close game during the season over the top team in the nation 
• OSU being the top seed in the tournament and Big Ten Champion

This team clearly was not the top recruited class in the country but there are some interesting parallels to that FAB 5 team.  Either way, this time of the year is much more exciting when Michigan is participating. 

Friday's game is at 12:40 and will be on Tru TV. 

BHB Sheds "Light" on Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims NBA Decision

Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims are both good basketball players and both will hopefully have solid NBA careers. Manny Harris "first step" shows he has NBA talent. DeShawn is more of a "tweener" but if he continues to improve his outside shooting he could be a solid NBA player.

So where does that leave the duo on the decision to return to Michigan or go to the NBA? At the annual basketball banquet last night they said; "If I had to decide today, I'm staying," Harris said. "Yes, yes," Sims said when asked would he stay if pressed for a decision today.

With that said, they will meet with coach Beilein today to discuss what he NBA had to say on their potential draft status. A decision could be made this week. Many expect the decision to be they will stay in Ann Arbor, which in my opinion is the right one. Both could use another year of college basketball plus they have the ability to be part of something special with next years team.

On the other hand, if the NBA comes back with a solid first round recommendation, one could leave and the other could stay. I would expect Manny to be the better NBA candidate at this point.

Now to other news and notes:

• Manny and DeShawn were co-MVP's of the basketball team

• One of the hot debates over the years has been: Should Michigan have a night game? The old folks that attend the games think the 3:30 start are night games because they miss the early bird special at Denny's and feel they get home too late. The young fans/students think the Big House at Night would give the Wolverines a "huge" advantage in a big game. This debate will continue for years to come but one decision that has to made in the short term, is whether to have permanent lighting as part of the new renovations to Michigan Stadium. Bill Martin said on Saturday that the grounds have been wired for temporary or permanent lights. A decision on permanent lighting has not been made yet. Michigan needs lighting for 3:30 games later in the fall either way.

• Here are the Spring Awards for the Michigan Football Team: Meyer Morton Award (senior with greatest development and promise): Stevie Brown; Frederick Matthaei Award (leadership): Mark Ortmann; Sophomore Award (toughness and work ethic): David Molk and Van Bergen; John F. Maulbetsch Award (freshman potential): J.T. Floyd and Patrick Omameh; Dan Dierdorf Award: Brandon Graham; Iron Wolverine Awards (all-around conditioning): Martin (linemen group); Brandon Herron (middle group); Michael Cox (skill group).

• Thanks to MSC: Michigan will be playing a night game at Iowa next year.

• Toney Clemons the former Wolverine WR is planning to visit Colorado.

• Zeek is thinking about coaching Florida International. Isiah sure has had an interesting life after his playing career.

Michigan Upsets UCLA: Bring on Duke (just kidding!)

Did you hear the doorbell? I think somebody is knocking? Who is it?

It's The Michigan Basketball Program, back from obscurity. Just in time for the holidays!

Yes, John Beilein who is from West Virgina and lead Michigan to it's program high 22 loses last year (doesn't that sound familiar? I know I have heard something like that before) upset #4 ranked UCLA last night in Madison Square Garden 55-52. Michigan stopped a 12 game losing streak to Top 25 opponents and this was the first time since 1997 that they beat a top 5 team.

The Wolverines were lead by game MVP: DeShawn Sims who had 18 points followed by Manny Harris with 15. The real star of the game was Michigan's 1-3-1 defensive zone that confused UCLA and forced them into deep outside shots most of the game. UCLA is full of talent but most of it's players are young freshman due to the big losses they had to the NBA last year. I expect UCLA to be pretty good this year but they clearly didn't play their best game on Thursday night.

So what did Michigan get for this big win? Duke, tonight in the championship game. As well as Duke again at Crisler Arena on December 6th. Wow, thanks Duke twice in two weeks, at least give them a T-shirt or something! :-)

This was a great win for the Wolverines and a true statement for Coach Beilein and staff that their hard work is starting to pay off. This doesn't make the Wolverines a lock for the NCAA Tournament or even a contender in the Big Ten, but it does show that this program is on the right track and will be competitive in every game they play this year. Michigan Basketball is back!

Now all you students and fans make sure you make a B-Line to Crisler Arena this winter to support this team!