A look ahead to Team 97

I wrote a small wrap up piece on the 2012-2013 dream basketball season last week.  It served more as a way for me to share my emotions after a gut wrenching championship game outcome.  If you want a full recap of the most enjoyable sports seasons in my lifetime, take a minute (or 17) to watch the video that was shown at the end of season banquet. Make sure to watch out for the cutting of onions, dust in your eye, or punch to the nose.

 

 

Now as we say goodbye to the 5 seniors, Trey Burke, and Tim Hardaway, we can also celebrate the return of Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary.  Since I am in denial that the college basketball season is really finished, I think it is fitting to start looking ahead to Team 97. 

There is really no way to understate talent and leadership that Michigan will be trying to replace next season.  Trey Burke is a once-in-a-generation type player, Tim Hardaway would have been a senior captain and All-B1G first team lock, and the 5 seniors provided some of the most important leadership for Team 96.  While most people just want to focus on the loss of the two starters, I think replacing the 5 seniors will be just as big of a task.  Do you realize that these 5 seniors made up the majority of the scout team?  While Michigan was one of the youngest teams on the floor, they prepared with and against one of the most experienced.  Just a few years ago 3 of these 5 seniors played valuable minutes for John Beilein, and all 5 have played against and prepared for each B1G team multiple times before 2012-2013.  This might be Coach Beilein’s toughest job next year, and few people will even notice. 

After reading that, you might be a little more discouraged or maybe realizing more why seasons like Team 96’s do not come around very often.  However, there are still reasons to begin the countdown until Team 97 takes over Crisler.  Michigan will be more talented next year.  The Wolverines, in fact, will be one of the deepest and most talented teams in the country.  This does not mean I think another Final Four trip is guaranteed, though, just ask Kentucky.  Champions need talent, but they also need that talent to sacrifice for the betterment of the team.  At this point, Michigan will field 11 scholarship players to begin the 2013-2014 season.  Can we all agree that Max Biefeldt would be ranked number 11? How many teams in the conference have someone that talented as the last player off the bench? How many teams even have 11 guys that have played valuable minutes?  I cannot think of any, and to be honest, it’s probably still an extremely short list if you expand the search field to all of Division 1. 

In terms of top flight talent, Team 97 should consist of at least 4 NBA players; 3 of which will likely be lottery picks.  The Wolverines should boast two legitimate B1G POY candidates (Robinson and McGary); along with two potential All-B1G freshmen (Irvin and Walton).  This doesn’t even include should-be improved sophomores (Stauskas and LeVert), All-B1G defensive first teamer (Morgan) and sleeper freshmen (Donnal).  John Beilein has re-built this program with his ever-changing system, surrounding himself with dedicated and hard-working assistants, high level recruiting, and top-tier player development; all while conducting himself with class and integrity.  Not only will the 2013-2014 basketball team be one of the best in the country again, the Michigan basketball program is one of the healthiest in the nation. I will leave you with a quote from the man on top after Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary announced they would be returning for their sophomore years (from UMHoops): “I watched these eight kids work out yesterday. I just gave my two cents and I let my assistants coach for most of those two hours.  I was smiling when I went home… working out those eight guys, and knowing the quality of the three coming in, I was smiling on the way home.”

Go Blue

 

 



 

Michigan Wolverines are still my champion

I have taken a mini-break from my daily blog entries to try and just sit back and enjoy the Michigan Wolverines making a Final Four, and national championship game run.  Even though I was not able to go to Atlanta, I wanted to just let this surreal experience wash over me.  The 2012-2013 Michigan basketball team seemed like a team of destiny. Each time a new obstacle was thrown its way, somebody was going to step up to lead the way around it.  But, for some reason, last night just was not meant to be. 

As the sadness and disappointment hung on my shoulders this morning, I wanted to blame the questionable calls from the officials, or the terrible defensive rebounding in the second half, or bad clock management at the end of the game, but I couldn’t.  The Wolverines ran out of gas, but still left what little remained in the tank on the floor.  Yes, Michigan surrendered 1.26 ppp, which was the worst defensive performance of the entire season, but in return the nation’s best offense also carved up Louisville’s top defense to the tune of 1.17ppp.  Yes, the officiating was horrendous, but there were terrible calls made against both teams.  Yes Michigan wasted 21 of the final 50 seconds, but the Cardinals had a 2 possession lead and were knocking down free throws.  Louisville was the better team last night, but it doesn’t take away the fact that it was one of the best basketball games of the entire season.  How often does that happen on Championship Monday? However, one thing that we can agree on is that Michigan deserved to be on the biggest stage. 

So now as time continues to roll on, and last night moves further in the past, I am left with feeling proud and thankful.  I am proud of where the coaching staff has elevated the program I love.  I am thankful for all the moments I will never forget from the past 5 months.  I am proud of the way this team fought until the end.  I am thankful that I was able to see the best player to come through the Michigan program since the 1960’s.  Finally, I am proud to call the University of Michigan my alma mater.

I’ll admit that I got caught up in the frustrations of last night’s game; with my voice taking the brunt of the abuse, but I was able to watch my team on the biggest stage, one last time.  While the networks and “experts” will be quick to forget the team that came in second, Team 96 will forever be cemented in my memory.  Not only for just what they accomplished, but what they stood for.  I guess for that, these Michigan Wolverines actually were a team of destiny.

The shot heard round the world

In case you are living under a rock, this happened on Friday night:

 

 

This also happened:

 

 

Lucky for me, these were also documented:

 

 

 

It was the greatest shot that I can remember my team making, in the biggest moment of my memory.  Michigan looked dead in the water against the top seeded Jayhawks, and not because Kansas was so dominant, but because the Wolverine defense fell back into old habits and surrendered more easy lay-ups and points in the paint than I ever remember seeing.  Then the National Player of the Year took over, and led Michigan back with a 14-4 run over the final few minutes of regulation.  Which set the stage for one of the biggest shots in Michigan basketball history.  It is one of those that will be replayed for every NCAA tournament promo in the future, and does it feel good to be on the winning side. 

 

Michigan continued their momentum into the overtime stanza and prevailed with a 2 point win.  The Wolverines then followed that up with a 40 minute clinic against the computer's runaway best team in the country. The maize and blue had done it, they advanced to a Final Four. 

 

To be honest, it still hasn't sunk it completely and we are 4 days after securing our spot.  Can it be that we are lucky enough to see our team in the final weekend of the season? Can it be that we are lucky enough to see the program's best point guard at least 1 more time? Even though when this team has played well it is obvious they are Final Four contenders, it still seemed like a pipe dream.  This team that limped to the regular season finish line, that forgot to show up for the Big Ten Tournament, that slipped to a 4 seed, this team will be able to hang another banner in Crisler. 

 

There are still 3 more games to be played this weekend, and hopefully Michigan gets to participate in 2, but I am just lucky enough to get to see these guys put on the Michigan uniform at least one more time.  This has been one of the most enjoyable journeys that a sports team has taken me on, and I think we can all be thankful that there is still more to come.  Go Blue!