Friday, February 16, 2018

The Hawkeyes, Larry Nassar U, More Hoops & McElwai


Another one bites the dust.  The Hawkeyes put up a fight, but in the end, Michigan and the Maize Rage were simply too much for Iowa.  The M-Cagers thumped Fran’s Hawkeyes into the Crisler floor.
Initially, things started off very slowly as the Hawkeyes, for the first time ever(?) threw a 2-3 zone at Michigan that Michigan didn’t have many answers for.  (God how I miss Walton – and why don’t we have anyone that can drive and shoot?)  Eventually, Michigan found its groove and just started chucking them from the cheap seats.  The next time I could pay attention, Michigan had the lead and they never relinquished it. 
I would love comment more on the game, but we had a guest over for dinner on V-day and I ended up cooking dinner and chatting through most of the game.  But I was able to keep an occasional eye on the action.   Kudos to Wagner and especially Robinson – I saw you raining those 3’s like a beast, dude. 
You-da-man!!!
And before I forget, I like that Teske kid, too…
KUDOS to everyone in attendance who made the 6:30 Tip on Valentines Day.  Again, I hate to keep repeating myself but THANKS A LOT JIM DELANEY!!!
What this win means:
NO MORE BUBBLE TALK – Well, Almost.
If Michigan wins 1 of its last three, the worst they’ll finish the regular season is with 9 losses.  I have a hunch they’ll do better than that as two of the three left are more or less playing for pride, and that only gets you so far.  2-1 is probable…
The Suckeyes on Sunday will be the final test (that matters).  Hopefully, Michigan defends home court and has that one win that can move them up the NCAA Seed line.  Winning at PSU and Maryland will be expected, though I don’t think a loss at either place kills their chances or moves them down in seeding. 

I hate putting the cart before the horse, but a Michigan win Sunday helps Sparty.  I guess someone Michigan hates is gonna win the regular B1G season, regardless.  I just don’t know who I want to win it and who I hate seeing win it more.  I guess whatever helps Michigan.  The suckeyes have the hardest games left and Sparty should win their last three.  So maybe a tie for the regular season between these two is the best thing?
I dunno.
And if you happen to be lucky enough to have duckets to the game Sunday, you’ll get to see Hatch honored among the Seniors on Senior Day.  If you don’t know the story, I’m not repeating it, but it is one of the finer things that Beilein has ever done during his tenure at Michigan. 
Games – Dates – Time – Result - Record
Illinois(H)                  January 6th               Noon                          WON  79-69              14-3
Purdue (H)                January 9th               9:00 PM                     Lost    70-69              14-4
Sparty (A)                   January 13th              Noon                          WON  82-72              15-4
Maryland (H)            January 15th            6:30 PM                     WON 68-67               16-4
Nebraska (A)             January 18th              8:00 PM                     LOST 72-52              16-5
Rutgers (H)              January 21st             Noon                          WON  62-47              17-5
Purdue (A)                 January 25th              7:00 PM                     LOST  92-88             17-6
Northwestern (H)    January 29th            7:00 PM                     WON  58-47              18-6
Minnesota (H)          February 3rd             2:30 PM                     WON  76-73 (OT)    19-6
Northwestern (A)      February 6th              6:00PM                      LOST  61-52             19-7
Wiscy (A)                   February 11th            Noon                          WON  83-72              20-7
Iowa   (H)                   February 14th           6:30 PM                     WON 74-59               21-7
Suckeyes (H)           February 18th           1:00 PM
PSU (A)                      February 21st            7:00 PM
Maryland (A)             February 24th            Noon
Is Michigan Really Hiring McElwain?
FRIDAY UPDATE:  Still nothing official on ANY OF THIS!!!   One report from FootballScoop.com is the article that everyone is referencing.  As of MY post, there’s nothing official.
I was silent on this on Wednesday because, frankly, I thought it was all rumor and no substance.  But now, there’s so many people reporting the “Rumor” that I’m starting to think it’s going to happen.  I’m writing this Thursday and planning to post on Friday, so there will be an update as I go.
I don’t like this hire (if it happens) for many reasons, not the least of which is McElwain’s meltdown in a press conference where he lied about receiving death threats, which became the reason for his canning from Florida. 
Why do I REALLY hate this hire?
McElwain was a complete and utter bust at Florida.  Yes, his CSU teams were good, but that was CSU.  At Florida, he couldn’t field an offense with arguably some of the best recruiting classes in the nation under his control.  I know he had QB issues…But who doesn’t?   Michigan’s offense hasn’t been stellar, and you’re bringing in a guy that’s questionably a mediocre offensive mind at best. 
If you’re going to take a risk on a guy that lied and has issues with respect to his public image, (I can’t believe I’m gonna’ type this) go HIRE RICH ROD!  He’s at least proven that he’s got an incredible offensive mind and he’d get a lot better reception coming back to Michigan than McElwain will get from the fanbase. 
I’m starting to think Harbaugh is believing his own hype and can overcome any obstacle.  He’s maybe making a very bad decision here and doesn’t even realize it.
Is “Larry Nassar University” TOTALLY TONE DEAF?
I think I could start a separate blog on the Larry Nassar University Scandal just to keep track of everything that’s going on.  I’m really starting to believe that everyone in Spartyville is as tone deaf as EVERYONE claims they are.  In case you haven’t heard (and this had come out on Wednesday right before I posted), Sparty is retaining the EXACT SAME LAW FIRM that Harvey Weinstein, the movie producer accused of sexually harassing/assaulting hundreds of female movie stars and numerous other staff members!!!
The problem with this should be fairly obvious:  Hiring the law firm Weinstein is using is practically admitting guilt before you even begin to negotiate or got to court.  Which, I guess Sparty is guilty, so they figured might as well get the best of the best for defending these types of cases.
It just looks incredibly bad.  Much like the appointing of Engler, who I had supported initially, but I had forgotten about the $250M lawsuit of female prisoners being sexually harassed, raped, assaulted and in several cases, impregnated.  Engler fought that lawsuit for quite a while and then went so far as to try to strip the rights of abused prisoners and taking away the path of legal action and forbidding Michigan Prisoners from suing the state of Michigan for negligence.  And he almost got away with it.  So, yeah, I can see why a LOT of people don’t think Engler should be the Prez at Spartica right now… 
I dunno’ Sparty.  Every step forward looks like two steps back when viewed by the public. 
In other Larry Nassar University related news, the State of Michigan fired an MSU doctor that was already fired from LNU last week for refusing to cooperate in the Nassar investigation.  Article attached:
In addition, the state attorney will be at a hearing to determine whether or not the Governor should open up an inquiry into the MSU Board of Trustees. 
Sheesh….When will all of this end?  But Wait, there’s MORE:
ESPN OTL UPDATE:  LNU Basketball Freshman Being Investigated for Criminal Sexual Conduct
Relentless Bulldog Reporter Paula Lavigne from ESPN is not going to get any free drinks in East Lansing, but she can probably drink free in Ann Arbor for the rest of her life.

If You See THIS WOMAN In Ann Arbor, Buy Her A Drink!!!
Paula co-wrote the original OTL story laying out the pattern and “Environment of Sexual Abuse/Assault” in East Lansing in the Men’s Football and Basketball programs.  Now, she’s following that up with this:  Washington, a Frosh Hoops Player, apparently groped a Co-ed last fall and the police have been investigating.  Paula keeps digging and she will more than likely keep finding stuff.  Izzo is looking worse and worse in this deal all the time.  Washington hasn’t played this season, but has suited up for every game and hasn’t faced any discipline since the investigation began.
Hollis Can’t Keep His Mouth Shut
Hollis tried to downplay the ESPN OTL Article stating it’s “Sensationalized”, but didn’t deny that ANY OF THE EVENTS/CRIMES/INVESTIGATIONS took place.  So, yeah….
Domer Penalty Feedback:   
F@#$%@#$ ‘EM!!!!!
A couple of you were much less kind and empathetic about the Domer’s ruling from the NCAA than I was on Wednesday.  You wrote to say how much the Domers have gotten away with over the years (Floyd Gate, DeClan Sullivan, Rapes, etc.) that this was minor punishment and Kama for some of the things that they’ve never atoned for.
I get that.  Seriously, I do.
The Domers and their fans can be VERY HYPOCRITICAL.  That’s kind of what makes it so much fun to hate them.  And even MORE FUN to crush them whenever possible.
But at the same time, the NCAA can’t just lower the boom on someone when they get the chance on what appears to be a relatively minor violation!  There has to be a check and balance in regard to these things. 
I guess what I’m saying is:  you can’t let north carolina skate on 20 years of academic fraud committed by hundreds of players and take a hammer to the Domers for being up front and honest about two players that had papers written for them.  It just looks incredibly bad.  I truly have the feeling that the tone-deaf NCAA may be on its last legs with respect to this one.  Any institution that has been paying attention probably feels the same way. 
And no, my hatred for the Domers hasn’t subsided or diminished.  But my hatred doesn’t mean I want to see a university unduly punished.  I just want to own their ass on the field, on the floor, and in any form of athletic or academic competition.  I don’t want to see them melt into the Earth or disappear altogether as I enjoy beating someone I hate that has actually proven themselves worthy of my hate.  I mean, beating up Eastern, Western and Central Michigan on an annual basis wouldn’t create any passion in any sport or endeavor.  They are lesser schools for a reason. 
And the NCAA shouldn’t take that away from any fan…
Hope that makes some sense…
Did Purdue and The Suckeyes Just Lose A Seed Line?
Upsets galore last night!  Purdue lost at the Troll Center, the suckeyes lost at PSU and Cincinnati lost to Houston.  That’s 3 in the Committee’s Top 16 that lost…I think Purdue definitely lost the 1-Seed and even though the Committee claims to not look at or weight the last 10 games, 3 consecutive losses by the Boilers isn’t helping them in any way.  Sparty may get the nod for the 1-Seed, but they still need help from Michigan.  The Suckeyes grip on a 4-Seed is tenuous at best and they could possibly hang on to it with a win in Ann Arbor, but my guess is they slip down to the 5-Seed line due to the overall weakness of the B1G and getting swept by PSU isn’t a good look…
Is Kentucky Going To Make the NCAA Tourney?
Kentucky, believe it or not, is sitting at 17-9 right now and has some very difficult games left on the schedule.  This is a team that’s beaten some really good teams this season (4 wins against top 50 opponents) and can’t seem to beat anyone in the SEC.  I’ve always said a Blue-Blood can suffer double digit losses (10 or 11) and still make the field because they’re blue bloods…
But this Kentucky team, with all its talent, doesn’t look that good when they play.  I was watching a little of the Wednesday night game against Auburn and they looked…well, they do dumb things late in the game and are not playing like a team.  There’s no love for Kentucky from this Hoops fan, but at the same time, I find it hard to believe that Cheatin’ Calipari can’t seem to get this team together.  5 games left and I think if they win 3, they’re in.  Win 2 and it’s up to the committee.  Win 1, fugetaboutit….And yes, I know I said Texas with 11 losses should be out of the Tourney, but 5 “Quadrant 1 Wins” is keeping them around.  If they lose any more, they should still be out.  I don’t like seeing double digit losers from Power 5 conferences in the NCAA. 
Making Room For Nebraska
Nebraska is this Season’s Rodney Dangerfield of College Hoops (They aren’t getting a lot of respect).  They’re sitting in 4th place all alone in the B1G (Above Michigan) with a record of 20-8 and are currently riding a 6-game winning streak.  Unfortunately, all the Huskers wins have not come against anyone in the top 50.  And the Committee values those types of wins.  11-4 in the B1G should be an AUTOMATIC bid, but alas, the B1G is “down” this season. They haven’t won a game against any of the three Big Ten teams ahead of them in the standings, and 3 of their losses, the suckeyes, Purdue and Michigan State all happened on the road.  And everyone knows winning in the B1G on the Road is close to impossible. Especially at those locales..   
But I’d rather see a gritty team grinding through conference play make it into the dance than the aforementioned Wildcats.  I hate anyone getting a Tourney nod for being a blue-blood. 
That’s my 2 cents
ETC.
Ref Ejects Cheerleader at ASU – Arizona Game
And it was legal.  Can’t yell players names through the MegaPhone!!!!
Iowa Field Workers Wave To The Hospital In The Snow
Too Cool.


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