Michigan Basketball: Ohio State at Michigan — Recap

Posted at 6:00am — 2/18/2008

Michigan Basketball: Ohio State at Michigan — Recap

What a day at Crisler Arena. First, had a sell out crowd and created a buzz in the air with Ohio State in town along with Coach Rod speaking at halftime. This basketball program needed this and got it today in front of a packed house. One thing that this team has right now is confidence and to me that is more important than a lot of things for such a young team especially at this point in time for this basketball program.

The team played a very good first half and only had a little lull where Ohio State went on a 10-2 run over a three minute time period. Going in tied at halftime had to give Michigan confidence along with how the crowd came out to support the program today.

At halftime, Coach Rod gave a “typical” Michigan coach response and did not guarantee like other coaches have done in the past, but he said “I’m not going to make any predictions just yet, other than one thing, if you come into the Big House when the Maize and Blue comes out of the tunnel, I guarantee you that they will play hard and they will play physical,” Rodriguez told a sellout Crisler Arena crowd Sunday during halftime of the Michigan-Ohio State men’s basketball game.

Second half the team really took control early on and really showed they can play with any team in the Big Ten. Yes, they need Manny and DeShawn to have good games for that to happen and show Michigan can get it done. The depth of talent is not great, but Michigan players have guys that give what they have and sometimes that is all you can ask. This team might not be as talented as last years or more wins then last year, but this team has shown through this years tough schedule and being very young they continue to show they do not give up, they hustle, they play with heart, they fight and battle till the buzzard goes off.

If this type of game along with how Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims played does not excite the local area kids and does not show the “Detroit Coaches” that Coach Beilein is not going anywhere and is going to turn this program around then keep sending your kids to other programs that do you favors. Some people say this was only one game, but (IMO) this was so much more than just one game. This win can show fans, alumni, donors, recruits, coaches, etc. that Michigan is struggling this year, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is getting brighter and brighter each game we move forward.

Some people will look and say well Coach Beilein is not bringing in a good class in 2008. Well we say he is bringing in guys that can help this team next year. He already has LLP coming in next year; he will help at the guard position, and has Stu that will only make Manny and the other players better because he will be able to hit the open shot when the boys drive to the hoop and kick it out to him. In addition, the “bigs” will not be double-teamed as hard when you have a guy waiting out at the three point line ready to receive the ball and hit the open three pointer. Cronin is a kid that might need a year or two, but I believe he can be a very good player in Coach Beilein’s system.

We hope that the 2009 kids will be looking at what Michigan can offer them along with the style of play that Michigan is using and not what coaches are telling them about Michigan. One thing I notice and would love to show recruits videos of Coach Beilein on the sidelines when he is coaching kids up and instructing them what to do and then show those same kids Izzo and how he is on the sidelines towards the kids by downgrading them and yelling at them. He is a smaller version of Bobby Knight, but not very good at it. We believe he needs to be like that because of his height and tries to scares the kids to death. In addition, he is a guy that will smile at you and then stab you right in the back as soon as you turn around. Just ask some of the recruits how much he bad mouths Michigan so to me he is scared what Michigan could be if they ever get this thing back on the track. No offense to Michigan State fans, but your still little brother and Michigan is on their way back.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

Go Blue — Wear Maize!