Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Looking Towards Thursday


Just because it’ll never get old…
Houston needed those free throws.  There was so much irony at the end of this game that it’s almost eerie to go back and watch.  MAAR driving and missing.  Fouls.  Missed shots and missed freebies. 
But one team walked away victorious. 
And only 1 Team can win!
More Karma
Thanks to the reader that pointed out that Michigan in 2017 was not only a team of destiny after the airplane crash, but they were the national darlings as a result of that disaster, too.  Damn those Oregon Ducks…
Poole’s last second shot has made Michigan a “National Story” again as they survived and UMBC didn’t.  Poole’s shot will get replayed before each Michigan game they continue to play. 
And, yes, Michigan played two of its worst games on Thursday and Saturday and still came out with wins.  Chances of a 3rd stinker are remote, and those two games should have knocked off a little rust. 
Elite Company!!!
Teams with 4 Sweet 16 Appearances since 2013:  Duke, Arizona, Kansas, Wiscy, Kentucky, Gonzaga and….wait for it…
MICHIGAN!
No one else has had more than 4.
The Definition of a Michigan Man
If you didn’t see this, I believe this is part of what gets inside of you at Michigan.  When you strive for excellence, you sometimes forget that someone across the field or floor from you has worked just as hard and was almost there. 

Almost.

And sometimes, you have to recognize that effort as a gentleman.  Or more importantly, as a Michigan Man.



UMBC Twitter Dude

This is a great article and this guy was on a roll on Friday night!  He’s hilarious and had some of the best tweets going.   Read them all at this link:


My favorite – Gotta be this one:


And his unrelenting troll of Seth Davis after Seth called the game over at the tip-off. 

That was classic!!!

This Parlay At Least Makes Sense

I really couldn’t get on board with the straight up 20-1 moneyline bet on UMBC.  Hut if you PARLAYED UMBC and Marshall, well, that paid 182-1!!!



I’m not suggesting those are great odds, but someone played it for $40 and it came home!  But then there was this idiot that lost $20K trying to win $870.  


Just like the stock market, there’s always someone on the other side of a bet!  And you will RARELY IF EVER see me take the other side of a parlay.  It’s just not worth it, IMHO.

More Good News!!!

Michigan Icers Make the Frozen Four!!


What was supposed to take a couple of seasons only took one!  It was touch and go all the way, but Michigan opens up with Northeastern on March 24th.  I don’t know if there’s such a thing as a good or bad draw in one and done College Ice Hockey because, randomness and luck.  If you think college hoops are quirky, try following college Hockey.  If they advance, Michigan will then play the winner of Cornell vs Boston on Sunday for a shot in the Frozen 4. 

Again, I just enjoy the Frozen 4 when Michigan makes it.  Don’t read too much into seeding or who should beat who.  Just roll with the house money!!!

On To New Business

Michigan (somehow) opened as a 3-point favorite over Texas A&M and tips at 7:37 on Thursday.  A&M looked superior to unc in every way and I’m scratching my head trying to figure out where that spread came from.   Season stats, I guess.  But A&M was undermanned all season and is now back to full strength.  Not a good sign…

We’ll see how good Mr. March is prepping for the Aggies.  Wagner and Teske will need to have big games.  Not to mention the rest of the cast…Good news about the Aggies?  They played one of their best games of the season against unc, and that will be tough to repeat. 

More Good News:  JB’s teams in the Sweet 16 have lost by 1, won by 2, won by 2, lost by 3, and won by 5.  Michigan has also pulled more straight up wins as an underdog than when they are the favorite. (favorites have won, but not covered.)

Duke opened up as a double-digit favorite over the Cuse (+11.5).  The only team to ever lose as a double-digit favorite in the Sweet 16?  Duke, which proceeded to lose to Indiana (+13) in 2002.

Villanova won both their 1st and 2nd round games by over 20 points.  6 teams have done that since the tourney expanded to 64.  Of the 6, three went on to win the National Title and 3 lost before making the FF.  FWIW.  Let’s hope this year is the latter.

More Sparty

I was looking for the Sparty spread and game time and then I remembered that Sparty should have gone to the NIT where they might have been able to squeak out of the first weekend!

And I wouldn’t be getting on Sparty so much, but there’s been a lot of venom spit Michigan’s way (regarding the ugly win, getting lucky, etc.) and frankly I’m getting a little tired of it.  As you may recall, as recently as 2013 Michigan beat that same Syracuse team and that same we’re gonna make you play our 3-2 Zone.

 
Shut your yaps, tuck your tails and go crawl back into your holes until November.  When you’ll be ranked in the Top 5 looking towards a great season that will end in a 2019 Tourney first weekend upset!!!

More bad news for Sparty: Izzo says he’s staying.  He’s going to rebuild this team and restore the spartan pride.  All the luck Izzo, all the luck.  I believe you’re going to need it. 

ETC.

Speaking of Michigan Men!!!

Some of you may know this individual personally either from the Tailgate or having watched him grow up.  But I’d like to acknowledge another Michigan Man, Aaron Sygiel, and his recent election (promotion? – former VP) to PRESIDENT of the MAIZE RAGE!!!   


What’s the Maize Rage?  Glad you asked!  They have a website:


Aaron is unequaled as a Michigan Hoops fan, attends every game and this year attended the B1G Tourney in NYC to cheer on the Maize and Blue!  In Hoops, I know how much the players appreciate the fans and especially the student fan base.  Congrats Aaron and wear the title proudly!!!

Some in the Virginia Fan Base Angry


In what shouldn’t be a huge surprise, a fractional amount of Cavalier Loonies are calling for the ouster of Bennet as a guy that will, “Never, EVER get to the next level due to not being mentally ready to play in the NCAA’s”.  I tried capturing some tweets, but a couple of them were deleted before I could grab them.  Suffice it to say, Cavalier fans are tired of getting to the promised land and getting ousted early or worse, embarrassed.  I get that.  But I don’t think canning Bennet is the way to go.  Who would you get?  The guy that just demolished you?

Just Who IS Sister Jean???

I was intrigued by this individual and had to research her a little bit more…


Sister Jean’s impact on the team is so great that she’s been inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame — and even has her own bobblehead. She’s known for welcoming back players with open arms after losses, but also texting them with advice, regardless of the outcome

No comments:

Post a Comment