tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659452556204986422024-03-13T14:14:02.993-07:00The MMQ The MMQMMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.comBlogger794125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-87547256357036692632019-12-18T12:28:00.002-08:002019-12-18T12:28:34.060-08:00Winter Sucks, Winter Musings<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Winter is only 7 days away and been here for 6 weeks. This Sucks</h3>
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Here we are on a Random Wednesday in mid December, The holiday season is crashing down on us. I have to honestly say, not my favorite time of year.</div>
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However, here we are on Wednesday Dec 18, 2019. a fairly random day in many respects until I was reminded of something, but a few Michigan things have been accumulating and I had some time,</div>
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-The OSU Sting still hurts. I was disappointed in the effort and the will of the team. I went back and read my Wisconsin Analysis and found several of those insights peeking through again. Lack of Toughness still seeps through. Had to be 10 dropped passes by our fabled Receiver Core. That cuts the belly out of any game plan. Too many in critical situations all year. I can't blame coaching, that's on the individual and there are pockets of softness in that core that remain. Tarik Black wants Greener pastures, My reaction, meh! No big loss for Michigan. I give the kid credit for rehabbing a couple of rough injuries but he was not a factor this year. Ronnie more CowBell beat him out and he seemed to lose focus. Probably good for all involved. Nico to the NFL?? ok I get it, he'll get drafted, take your chance and go, DPJ, has to be one of the all time under achievers on the HYPE/PRODUCTION ratio. Probably even beats the Ricky Powers Ratio. I never felt like that guy was all in for Michigan ever. Good luck with that last game tape. The highlight of the Game for me, and a strong indication of some of the quality in our coaching staff. Chase Young, No Tackles, No Sacks. After eating the league alive all year, We Punked Him, Same for the Gee Willikers Guy from Spartyland and the guy from Iowa and Penn State. We shutdown premier or Self promoted premier Defensive lineman all year. Hats of to the O-Line, Ed Wariner, and I'm sure Lost in Space and Jimmy had some contribution.</div>
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- Bowl Game We're playing in a game over our heads, Sure its a made for TV movie but I'm happy to be playing on New Years Day against a high quality team and a villain. All of this makes us be more focused in the preparation and that will make us better. Not one player appears to be skipping the Bowl. I think something happened behind the scenes, its more than just the chance to finish what you started and play Alabama and a chance to get a last chunk of game film for the Scouts. I don't have high hopes but I think we will benefit from the experience regardless of the outcome and I'm so glad not to be playing in some half ass game against Wake Forest in Wichita State or Yonkers, Have fun Sparty. Keep Telling yourself you accomplished something.</div>
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-Recruiting. I guess today is another signing day. Sounds like we'll pull in a quality but unspectacular load of fresh Wolverines. Gets hard to follow anymore, I never know what class were really on. No real top 50 Blue Chips this year. Lots of bark about how we can't compete with OSU on the recruiting trail. I suppose that's true and I can live with that, as I am convinced that something smells in Columbus, but follow the money and you'll have your answer but nobody wants too.</div>
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-OSU lost their Co-DC to Boston College. Keeps Donny Brown here, which I still believe is good for us. ( I know I canned him at the Tailgate after OSU) but I reconsidered, Great Article on the MGOBLOG about how he fares against OSU compared to peers. On a data driven basis there was a compelling argument. I'd encourage you to read it. GMISAD Refer to my OSU blog if you need translation</div>
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-Basketball. Lots to talk about here that I will save for another day, but I will say I am really impressed with Juwan. Great Attitude, Great performance so far, Player development looks much better than expected with contributions going 10 deep.</div>
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-Best Wishes to all the Michigan Faithful, Thanks for making it a fun year under some tough circumstances on and off the field and Happy Holidays. 2020 will be here quick and we'll be teeing it up again.</div>
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- Dec 18, isn't a just a random Cold Day in December for Michigan Fans, Thanks Ashley for making it a little nicer.</div>
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MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-26319179333698000922019-11-25T09:42:00.000-08:002019-12-18T14:07:17.478-08:00OHIO STATE AIN'T SHIT<br />
Ok, We went to Bloomington, started a little slow, Tightened the noose on Defense, Shea had a career day, even though he still struggles to hit guys in stride, We won going away, no known injuries. Game over.<br />
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Now what we have all been waiting for!</h2>
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Buckle Up your Chin Straps everyone!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">What's your first recollection of this Game? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Mine was 1973, in the basement workshop with my Dad, listening to Ufer on the old clock radio. and Mike Lantry missing 2 Field Goals. Years later Mike ended up having the seats next to me for a few years. Nice Guy! Never had the guts to ask about the Kick, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Thanks for your Service! If you don't know his story check it out. Waiting for him to be Veteran of the Game!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Was there any more sinister of a character than Cornelius Green? He was the epitome of evil to this 8 year old boy! Dennis Franklin the Arc-Angel!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Its pretty interesting the parallels that start to align with 1969, The prior year beating, The Bad Loss Early on that questioned the teams soul. A big turnaround mid game, mid year and rolling into the rest of the season. An opponent characterized as the best team in the country</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Its easy to get caught up in the nostalgia but this game still comes down to the players and the coaches. As Bo told his charges in 1969, This game will come down to individual matchups. Is John Runyan better than Chase Young at 12:00 on Saturday. If he is, then is Jalen Mayfield better than Chris Young at 12:30 on Saturday when they move him to the other side. Is Cameron Magrone, fast enough to catch JK (Not Today) Dobbins at the corner and Justin Fields on the QB Draw? Is Lavert Hill better than Binjimin Victor/Vector. Is Nico Collins going to win the even ball at the peak, Is Don Brown better than Cryan Day anticipating the scheme and the adjustment. <span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Does he have the answer for the crossing routes? I bet its the first play from scrimmage!</span> Is John, Gattis, Robinson ready to scheme a Real Big Game.<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span>Is there a twist to the scheme that has not been shown? Iron Bowl's don't count. Everything else is White Noise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michigan has some things going for it, Pride, Home Field, Justin Fields is a pretty boy from Georgia that has never had to play a tough hard hitting game in a hostile stadium in the cold (Currently 38 and Snow), GMISAD </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Bucknuts crumbled a bit when PSU started to get some momentum, Can we expect this in our game? Fortune never seems to shine on us in these games but they were challenged and sort of held serve. Are they in game condition for a 4 qtr shootout? Most of the key player have strutted through about 2 1/2 quarters a game all year. Are they mentally and physically conditioned enough to go a full 4 qtrs with every play being critical. They weren't in 1969! How bad does the NCAA want Alabama in the Playoffs, do we get a call??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who will be the player that has been solid, but not high profile, that plays over his head? Josh Uche? Tarik Black? Sean McKeon?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On paper Michigan is a large underdog, But were playing this game on the field, not on the arena of public opinion, So lets Tee it up and be ready to write another verse to the old Uf Classic, ending in</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>As Pasquale lead the Victors, They Laid Cryan Day Away</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 12th man will be at the Corner, ready to go! IT'S A BIG GAME Come Join Us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 13th man will be guiding things from Valhalla, we'll need you buddy!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2019/11/25/michigan-football-ohio-state-1969/4275143002">Recollections of 50 years ago</a></div>
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Graveyard Walk, Tuesday 6:00pm Meet at the base of Burton Tower</div>
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GMISAD? Greg Mattison Is Still A Dick! Carl, <i><b><u>Please</u></b></i> Introduce the entire OSU Coaching Staff on Saturday! Will Mattison be on the sideline or hide in the Box, Put his yellow ass on the Big Screen</div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-82404957357684200432019-11-18T11:01:00.000-08:002019-11-18T11:01:36.914-08:00Ah Yes,The world is back on its axis<br />
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For all the Mazie and Blue Faithful it has been a long slog.<br />
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LNU has been quite the pest for some time. Most of it self inflicted I would say, Recall<br />
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1) We gave the keys to Brady Hoke for a couple years<br />
2) We let some rugby kid try and catch a punt snap, In a critical point like that I have always wondered why you don't put a Safety behind the punter.<br />
3) John BarleyKorn, singing in the Rain<br />
4) TackleGate on Desmond, Of course I tackled him, the CB said in the postgame interview<br />
5) Clock Bob or whoever that clown was<br />
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But Saturday just felt right, Yeah it was cold but the sun was shining. There was a pep in everyone's step and a quiet confidence that we were going to take of business with these boys. I haven't felt that vibe in awhile!<br />
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We didn't get off to a running start but the noose just kept tightening and the Sparty Immaturity took hold.<br />
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-Lost in Space is slowly maturing. but still the occasional I'm way smarter than you play calls. 1st and Goal and we have Haskins taking the direct snap in the backfield. Eliminates any threat of a pass. Eliminates any handoff to anyone else. 11 guys crashing the run between the tackles. Doesn't work? just line up and run it again.<br />
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-McCaffrey to Patterson and chuck it in the stands. Shit can this stuff.<br />
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-The usual cheap shots and jaw-jacking. I guess its part of the fabric of the rivalry. I can live with it but its always fun to watch StormTrooper Dantonio try to distance himself from it with his post game comments about trying to warn his kids about it. Not real proud of Mettelus running to their sideline and waving good bye<br />
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-Took the students way to long to get the Little Brother Chant going.<br />
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-Did I see anything that convinces me we are ready to toe it up with the BuckNuts, in a word, nope but we'll see<br />
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-LNU was really targeting Ambry Thomas and having some success. I know he came back and got the INT but he was getting picked on, OSU will exploit that I predict.<br />
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-LNU has a the beginnings of a Dumpster fire smoldering here. Nobody has the guts to fire Dantonio, but he has lost this team and doesn't have much in the hopper. In some respects it reminds me of the end of the Lloyd era. NO I AM NOT COMPARING DANTONIO TO LLOYD. These guys all run out of steam and spit at some point. The new President wants nothing to do with the Athletic Department, The AD is just a toadie of Izzo. Watch very closely what happens with the upcoming deposition in the Charles Blackwell Lawsuit. There is dirt there I predict. No compelling candidates out there either. Stop with the Narduzzi chants, just stop. I predict that Dantonio, stays to collect his $4.3 Mill payment and then he tries to engineer some special Oscar Mayer special advisor status role and handpick his successor from the staff. My bet is Tressel, out of loyalty to the Pride of Youngstown. Can you even have pride if you chose to live in Youngstown. Sounds like a town Jerry Sandusky would call home.<br />
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-Receiver Core gets better and deeper. I'd love to see Collins stay, DPJ leave and let the rest grow.<br />
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-Patterson is still quite inaccurate, but at least getting it to the right Zip Code now. I like Jim's comment today that you can't expect to be eating Potato Salad today if you just planted potato's yesterday. This year will be a process with hopefully a strong carryover to next year on Offense. Donny Brown just keep reloading and making chicken salad out of whatever you give him.<br />
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-The last TD was a FU to Dantonio, I love it! Like Bobby Axelrod says, What the point of having FU money if you don't say FU with it once in awhile. Thanks Jimmy!<br />
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-Indy can be a trip up game, of course we'll be looking past them. We may need another Johnny Wangler to AC moment in this one!<br />
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-Great to see all the Gen2's at the Tailgate. Us Old Schoolers were out numbered but not out gunned. Great bunch of kids but I have to start packing more beer!<br />
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-This one, I really missed RussMMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-28014252142294752402019-10-28T17:25:00.001-07:002019-10-28T17:25:33.414-07:00Geez I hate these Guys!<br />
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Geez I hate these Guys!</div>
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Ok, Its the first week of September, Mardi Gras is tomorrow morning and we just kicked Domer's Ass like the red headed step child that you are. We got our Signature, win beating a top 10 Team, that is every idiot pundits darling to slide into the CFP. The new offense looks ok, nothing special yet but hey, the run was working, the rain was torrential and looks like Jimmy learned his lesson about trying to win with the pass in a monsoon, from the John Barley Korn disaster of years past. Ok, we have a couple of patsies on the schedule to mow through the next couple of weeks and then ease into the Big Ten with a visit from Illinois and Purdue before the serious things get going. We'll be bowl eligible by then.</div>
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Wait, what's that big bag of Candy doing on the table by the door? Why am I hearing Christmas music when I scroll through my Sirius Channels. </div>
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Uh-oh. I've just been informed that its late October, we've lost 2 games already and haven't played LNU or the Bucknuts yet. </div>
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I must have been drinking, Donnelly must have slid in an extra bottle of Zupaca this week. Don't worry though I'm not wearing a hospital gown and no staples in my head. Must have kept things under control a bit.</div>
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Checking back to my earlier posts, I seriously questioned the heart of this team. Well deserved. Time to evaluate whether this team has Flight or Fight. Well I think about halftime last week, something switched. Jimmy's starry eyed comment to sideline babe about this being "Their Finest Hour"!! Always had a soft spot for Lord Winston, and the Royal Air Force against the long odds of the Schicklgruber's but I digress. I think that Lord Khacki went into that locker room, and said enough of this Lost in Space shit, we're running the plays you all ran last year so well. </div>
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Bend over Gattis, Jimmy's driving.</div>
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He almost pulled it off. Feel bad for Ronnie, More Cow Bell, but you have to catch the damn ball to be a hero. There are only a few Desmond's or even Roy Roundtree's . The O-Line took control and started to be physical. Cam McGrone is sending Betsy Ross back to the sewing table and looks great. Tough Loss but maybe an inflexion point.</div>
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In trot the Domers, drop the shifter into Low, Lock in the Hubs, were sending this guys out of here on a rail, they'll be soo embarrassed they won't show their face around these parts for a generation.</div>
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I like most of what I saw. Patterson managed the game and the elements and let the line take Control. The Defense was in the Domers huddle the whole game. Only after the standard, Domer officials call to extend the drive did they finally get on the scoreboard. hell we even trounced them on the first drive when the ref's gave them another possession on the phantom roughing the punter. Come on, You all knew it was coming.</div>
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I love the effort from Steve Spanellis. This Domer just got de-pantzed and lost all his lunch money. This team is coming around!! Time to get in the portal, buddy, Your game is done. Call Sparty, they have some openings.</div>
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Random Observations</div>
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-Night Games Still Suck. Regardless of the weather, especially in late October. its a money grab</div>
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-Why do we get the storm of the month again on a night game</div>
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-Nice Tailgate, Slow and Easy all afternoon and evening, rolled in about 12:30 and No GridLock!</div>
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-Its been a nice Tailgate Season, For the first time I can remember, I have seen damn near all my roommates this year. Dean, the original, Superfan, Glossop. Brian,and his 12 inch Pizza Vroom, Mike AND Steve Throop, and even Judge, must be an election year, Newblatt have made a live appearance this year. Great to see all you guys!! Lots of great memories. Thanks Russ, I know you sent these guys around to help fill the void.</div>
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- What's up with that Dumpster Fire up at LNU? Mark Dan-Nunzio is losing guys left and right, but can't get any of those QB's to hit the bricks. Lewarke's in, no he's out, Try the Lombardi kid, nope that didn't work, back to Lewarke, Don't we have some other scrub? Yeah, Theo, Save the Day, Shit he doesn't know the plays. back to Lomardi, Lets try Lewarcke. Hey lets play Izzo's Kid. Something is wrong, Something is very very wrong up there. My conspiracy theory is that Mark, has some serious skeletons that he doesn't want out and he's feeling an overly warm toilet seat. They fought hard to get his upcoming deposition scope narrowed (and lost) and delayed until after the season is over. They are worried. Something is there, I smell blood in the water. Depositions are fun when you are an observer and hell when you're the target. Those lawyers are going to crack him. He's too cocky and that's the WORST way to go into a deposition. This will be fun. Everyone will be in the portal by then anyway.</div>
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Keep the momentum going, throttle Sparty, Be ready for the Hoosiers and let the chips fall where they may at the end. It can still be a nice season</div>
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Go Blue!</div>
MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-53942076870792413432019-09-30T09:06:00.000-07:002019-09-30T09:06:59.919-07:00<br />
<br />
So what did we learn?<br />
<br />
All I heard everywhere I went, was But it was Rutgers!<br />
<br />
I have to say, I've struggled to find come up with any meaningful analysis this week. Stop, I don't want to from you, <i>so what else is new</i>.<br />
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OK, Michigan did not fumble in the first series, They scored a touchdown on a nice individual effort from Nico Collins, But it was Rutgers<br />
<br />
Shea, had more time in the pocket and made better decisions with the passing game. Of course there is a strong correlation there, But it was Rutgers.<br />
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Defense pitched a shutout, without our Starting MLB. Kwitty Paye was all over the field, seemed like one of the few that really wanted to bounce back from last week. Maybe a spark of leadership there. But it was Rutgers.<br />
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Daxton Hill got his first playing time. Made a nice special teams play and showed some speed on the field. Gotta start somewhere.<br />
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Running Game was Meh, None of these guys seemed to really inspire yet.<br />
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Joe Milton got some meaningful PT and made a nice pass on the TD throw. Arm strength is real and it was effortless throw. But it was Rutgers<br />
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Rutgers is so bad that they canned the coach after the game, not sure if he had to Uber back to Jersey or what. Kind of a snarky move by the administration but that's Jersey. They reached deep for a replacement, The TE Coach whose resume is entirely from High School Coaching. Look for them to retread Greg Schiano,<br />
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We did what we were supposed to do but did we see anything to say this team can compete with elite teams, or even Iowa? I don't know. I'm inclined to say no but we'll see. Getting Gattis on the field for play calling seemed to help, the tempo was better. Every year there are games like this, I'm glad we took care of business, no serious injuries, no crazy outcomes. It was Rutgers, Check the Box and move on.<br />
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I keep hearing complaining about Rutgers in the Big 10, Its all about money, NY Money so just live with it. I recall that Northwestern was a doormat for 30 years too, but today they are reasonable and have been for awhile, so things go in cycles. Every conference has a Rutgers<br />
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I watched T__ Bucknuts vs the CarmelCorners. Was a brutal game. Doesn't give me a lot of inspiration as T__ Bucknuts are tough. Don't like to say it but they are playing at a different level.<br />
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Best T Shirt of the Week, <br />
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You Can't Spell CockSucker without OSU<br />
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We'll learn a lot more this week.<br />
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See you all at the Corner!!<br />
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<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-66888652741244913462019-09-23T06:49:00.000-07:002019-09-23T06:49:48.565-07:00Symptom or problem?<br />
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot<br />
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We all saw what we saw.<br />
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Did you have the same impression as I did, after Wisconsin marched the field on the first drive? Going for 4th and 1 on your own side of the field in the first drive? Very obvious they had no fear.<br />
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Michigan punched back though, broken play, finding Ronnie, More Cow, Bell for a long gain to inside the 5. Great, We have them on their heels, we can punch this in and call it even. Here comes Ben Mason. Ok we have failed miserably on short yardage, lets bring back the hammer. Wait everyone is standing there looking at each other, the clock is ticking down. Timeout. Long commercial ensues. Wisconsin gets to catch their breath, react to the personnel. Fumble Game Over.<br />
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Not my words but straight from players on the team in the press conference. Reactions are everywhere, all bubbling up on Jimmy. That's how the world works, he knows it. He admitted it in the Press Conference. We got Outplayed, he said, We got out coached, he said. Acknowledgement is the first step of recovery. Unfortunately the comments by several of the players showed no acknowledgement. Many of the comments tried to minimize the issue. These guys aren't even in our division, they played really god and we didn't, they said. I found their reaction after the game more humiliating than their performance in the game. The comment of how great everyone played in the 4th Quarter from the Senior Safety should get you benched immediately<br />
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Guys, Wisconsin just stole your lunch money and de-pantsed you in the middle of the playground.<br />
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I see layers of issues here<br />
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Players<br />
1) Can't hold the ball. That's on you. What's a coach need to do besides tell you, Hey Johnny, its really important that you don't drop the ball. This is how we lose games.<br />
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2) Do your assignments. Stay in your gap, If you go somewhere else, that area is not covered. Guess what, the other team has a bunch of guys with binoculars watching to see if you stay in your gap?<br />
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3) They other team on consecutive plays attempts to decapitate your QB. Honestly the first one was just football but the rules are the rules. The second one was a guy that has no respect for you and wants to see if you have any more lunch money that your mom sowed into your underwear. Dirty but that's the nature of the game. Did you see one Michigan Player charge that Safety after that play? Did you see Jimmy storm onto the field? Sure the ref's called the penalty and the kid was ejected. That's not the point! Where is this teams Pride! If you have to coach it into them you are screwed. Players have to Play and Players have to have the Warrior mentality. Somebody in Blue needs to get ejected on that play and get some rabbit punches in first.<br />
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Coaches<br />
In my opinion coaching comes down to a few simple principles<br />
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1) Identify your strengths and develop strategies to exploit them against your opponent. I'll help<br />
Gattis since I know you're new here. You have dominant Wide Receivers. You have at least 3 on the field all the time plus a tight end. Your QB is better on the run. He is Brett Favre not Tom Brady. Roll him out and let the routes develop. If they don't he'll run and he's pretty good at that if he isn't hurt.<br />
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2) Identify your weaknesses and develop strategies to minimize their exposure. You have no Defensive lineman.<br />
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3) Be prepared for what the other team is good at. Guess what, Wisconsin is going to run the ball between the tackles until you stop them. Playing your safeties 20 yards off the ball isn't the answer<br />
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4) Demand Fundamental techniques. Physical and mental and be able to exploit pockets of chaos. Like having a play ready on the second play of the game after a big drive, Gattis. Practice Quick Strike situations. Don't show that your just as surprised as everyone else in the Stadium that something worked. You must have a go to play that the team knows to call after any gain of more than 30 yards. It has a 1 word name and the QB is yelling the word running down the field. Run straight to the line of scrimmage, line up and go. Force the other team to burn a timeout.<br />
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Something is wrong here<br />
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Jimmy has lost his fire and enthusiasm, something has changed in him. Only he can solve that. I have faith in him. I hope the bunker mentality is setting in. You have seen enough to know who you can charge the hill with and who you can't. I know you can't fire everyone today but take charge, set some examples and make some toilet seats really warm in the coach's room and in the huddle.<br />
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I'd start with Gattis, Take away his play calling duties. </div>
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I'd be drafting my list of candidates for the next DC too. The performance against the last 3 top ten teams was dismal and that shit about exploring the Temple Head Coaching job during the offseason smelled.Mattison is still a bitch for quitting but it had its roots in something</div>
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The TV catching him saying "Fuck Me" after the illegal procedure penalty wiped out the team MVP Will, need at least one guy with some, Hart. pinning Wisconsin on the 3 yard line said a lot to me. Jimmy is not in a happy place right now. He knows it, I think he has known it for awhile and took a bit too much advice from those around him. Jimmy, Channel Bo, Not his play calling but his discipline, self confidence and passion<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Where will the new leadership come from in the locker room? There seems to be a dearth here but we may have a couple of candidates. Jon Runyan and Aiden Hutchinson. I'm betting that John Sr. and Chris will have some blunt father/son discussions and impress on them what it means to be a Leader.</span><br />
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Moving on.<br />
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Rutgers may seem like good medicine but be wary. Its not clear we have a QB for this game. If we are starting Joe Milton and our 4th string running back things will be ugly. Defense will have to win the game. I expect a win, bet the farm on Rutgers and the spread though.<br />
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We'll be at the Corner this weekend, happily pontificating about how we'd solve everything. Stop by and Share with us!<br />
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<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-87535027419579647242019-09-11T11:55:00.001-07:002019-09-11T11:55:07.375-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anybody Remember the Band THE THE? My New Old Favorite Band!!!</div>
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MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-72814637301687598422019-09-11T06:13:00.003-07:002019-09-11T06:13:59.773-07:00<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Is there a Silver Lining in that Cloud?</span></b></div>
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I sure hope
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend to be a very optimistic
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to see the best in the
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find ways to see the bright
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, based upon what I
witnessed on Saturday, the Glass was only 1/4 Full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My text to some family members near the end
of regulation was “Beautiful Day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Offense sucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Defense sucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coaching sucks”</div>
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And on
Sunday, I started reading the recaps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This gave me some optimism that the Glass is more than Half Full.</div>
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<u>Army</u></div>
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Army is a
good team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, they are not a Top 20
Team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, consider the following:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Army had won 10 straight games going back to
2018.</div>
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</span></span></span>Army beat Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl
70-14.</div>
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</span></span></span>In 2018, Army took Oklahoma to OT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sooners prevailed 28-21.</div>
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</span></span></span>While Army is One Dimensional on offense, they
do it extremely well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Triple Option
had not been seen by Michigan in a long time, and we will not see it again for
quite a while.</div>
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<u>UM
Defense</u></div>
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As stated
above, Army runs a precise (limited) offense to perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan held them to the following lows:</div>
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</span></span></span>243 Total Yards (200 Rushing Yards) – lowest
yardage since 2017.</div>
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</span></span></span>3.7 Yards per Play (3.3 Yards per Rush) – lowest
since 2015.</div>
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</span></span></span>3 Turnovers – most since 2017.</div>
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And when it
counted the most, Michigan’s D came up big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lavert Hill intercepted the pass when Army was on the 5 yard line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last turnover ended the game as we sacked
the Army QB in OT forcing a fumble that we recovered.</div>
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Two of
Army’s TDs came on short fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
second TD came after we fumbled the ball on our 40 yard line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Army also scored in OT starting at the 25
yard line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We held them scoreless in the
second half as well.</div>
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<u>Special
Teams</u></div>
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The Special
Teams were solid on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moody made
3 PATs, and a clutch 43-yard FG in OT to win the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our punter only punted once, but nailed it
for 61 yards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the second team punt
returners and kick returners did a decent job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This should greatly improve when Donovan Peoples Jones</div>
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(DPJ) is
cleared from the IR (hopefully against Wiscy)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>Offense</u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t have
much to offer here, except for a gut feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Patterson is playing with an injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I believe this limited the play calling and affected his passing
accuracy (No clue as to why we didn’t play McCaffrey more).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will improve with the bye-week.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have yet
to see Speed-in-Space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure why we
run it to the interior of the line 15 times in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, my gut tells me that Harbaugh is not
going to show anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In years past he
refused to tell the media who is the starting QB the day before the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know he has his eccentricities.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Two of our
best players have not played yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Runyon
Jr. is our best offensive lineman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
he returns at left tackle, the line will become noticeably better.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
DPJ will add
another huge weapon to the offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Black, Collins and Bell have been solid, and DPJ will only give opposing
Defensives even more problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
also gotten solid play from TE with Sean McKeon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charbonnet has proved a solid runner who can
block as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should do nothing but
improve week after week.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><img height="182" src="file:///C:/Users/tom/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="155" /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chris Knight
(aka Special K, CK or KnightTrain)</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-12621558984900769022019-09-03T08:48:00.000-07:002019-09-03T08:48:29.454-07:00<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Well, What did you expect?</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I found myself asking this question to myself over and over all weekend. I found that I kept answering in what I hoped I'd see, not what a rational analysis would generate.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My emotional reaction is that the team did not look all that well prepared and the performance was generally underwhelming. Yet looking at the stat line, We won a game, scoring 40 points, generating 453 yards of offense. Held the opponent to 67 Yards Rushing and 4-13 on 3rd down conversions. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We started the game with the following</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) 2 Freshman Starting Tackles</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) Freshman Starting Running Back</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) By most accounts our best receiver and punt returner on the sideline</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4) A completely new offensive system</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5) An offensive Playcaller that has called fewer plays in his coaching career than the MMQ2</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
6) Our highest potential DT out of the game on the first series with a hand injury</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I expected us to look unorganized and sloppy at times. I expected the inexperience at this positions would generate some mistakes. I expected some missed block, some offsides or holding calls. Not so much</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What I didn't expect was </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) Our senior QB to fumble on the first play.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) Our Senior All Big Ten CB who flirted with the NFL to drop a walk-in Pick 6<br />
<b></b><u></u><br />
<b><u>The New Offense</u></b><br />
Overall the temp is a little better, Stretching the field is a bigger priority and we probably didn't really show much.<br />
My underlying fear in all of this is that Gattis has to much of an I'm to Cool for School Mentality. Young guy with some success and fortunate enough to operate in stable situations with exceptional talent. Reminds me a bit of Matt Patricia with this I'm the smartest guy in the room personna. This was most obvious with the 2 QB in the game stunt. Neither Shea or Dylan are better than at least the top 5 Receivers. So we create a 10 on 11 matchup. What's the point Smart Guy? Enlighten Us? By the way, all the rules to protect the QB don't count when your QB is lined up as a receiver. If I'm the DC on the other side, I am telling my biggest hot head to jack up the QB/Receiver and take the targeting call. If one of those guys gets hurt we're in BIG Trouble.<br />
<u></u><b></b><br />
<u><b>Observations</b></u><br />
-Zack looked great, especially on Pass Protection<br />
-Freshman Tackles were solid but I want Runyan back, healthy for Wisconsin<br />
-Patterson was solid but his timing was off on the deep balls<br />
- Bell, Hands like feet<br />
-Lots more deep pass routes that will stretch the defense<br />
-Great to see Ambry Thomas back on the field AND Making Plays. VG looked serviceable as well<br />
-Can we get Ma and Pa Glasgow a nice bottle of Wine and some sexy Lingerie and get busy getting us more Walkon's. Three sons that make the Starting Lineup in a Top 10 Program in the modern era is unfathomable. Jordan reminds me a lot of Jordan Kovacs.<br />
-Freshman Class looks great. Lots of Solid Contributions and some of the biggest names are on the field yet (Hill, Hinton)<br />
-How does Bryan, the Human Parking Block, Mone make an NFL Roster?<br />
-DPJ not playing again, Always something with this guy. <br />-Nico Collins is the real Deal, Reminds me of a combination of Deven Funchess and Jason Avant and the good parts of both.<br />
-Stop the 2 QB Thing, It makes you look dumb. I like the idea of getting McCaffrey some meaning-full playing time as the QB. This has the feel of the Brady, Henson era. He's capable and the experience will only help for the future. By the way Joe Milton shows me nothing. Big drop off there.<br />
-Put Mason back in the backfield and give him the 4th and 1, 3rd and Short Hammer head.<br />
-Great call on the Albrecht, Somebody figured out quick that we would lose a challenge and Yards near the goal line. Looked dumb at first but Genius!<br />
<br />
Up Next<br />
<br />
Some ARRRMMMY Training. I love watching the Acadamies compete in Football. The personification of Discipline and Toughness. In the end I think dominant athletes win out as long as frustration doesn't set in. No Dumb Penalties and hang on to the Ball and we will be ok. Will not be an exciting game but a good character builder and we probably get a cool flyover or at least a parachute drop.<br />
<br />
<br />
Reminder to All that this will be our Game to honor the MMQ at the Corner. Everyone is Welcome. Its an early game so some food before and after the game are planned, No specific menu. These people will eat anything. See you Saturday!<br />
<br />
Go Blue!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-81164650560965020802019-08-27T10:59:00.000-07:002019-08-28T05:35:01.905-07:00<br />
<b></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: #20124d; color: yellow;">Hello Michigan Fans,</span><span style="background-color: #20124d;"> </span></span></b></div>
<span style="background-color: #20124d;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
We are on THE cusp of a new and surely exciting season!<br />
<b></b><br />
It sure won't be THE same after big changes and some Big Losses!<br />
<br />
Quick Evaluation of THE Losses<br />
<br />
2) Chase Winovich. Heart and Soul of THE Defense, THE embodiment of THE College Athlete, Worked through THE whole Lineup Card to find a place in THE Starting Lineup and through grit and determination turned himself into a High Round Pick. Thanks for sticking with THE commitment and playing your heart out in THE Bowl Game.<br />
<br />
3) Devin Bush, Speed, Speed, Speed, and Speed in THE right direction. Great Playmaker, will be missed<br />
<br />
4) David Long Lock Down Corner that taught teams to pick on THE Nickel.<br />
<br />
5) Rashan Gary, Meh<br />
<br />
6) Karan Higdon, Meh<br />
<br />
7) Zack Gentry, Thanks for opening up a Roster Spot to get another one of THE great receivers on THE Field<br />
<br />
8) Al Washington don't let <b>THE</b> door hit you in THE ass<br />
<br />
9) Greg Mattison, Fuck You. Can I say that here?<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
1) THE MMQ. <br />
<br />
With very mixed feelings and emotions, I cautiously step into THE breech living on THE inspiration of one of Bo's lasting Lessons regarding, THE Next Man Up. On THE Battlefields of centuries past, it was THE unwritten rule that when THE kid carrying THE battleflag got shot, you dropped your gun and picked up THE flag and marched forward. Always wondered how you got to be THE dumbass that got to carry a flag into a gunfight. In THE end you don't replace a legend you just hope to honor THE tradition and be true to yourself and THE cause.<br />
<br />
RUSS is missed by us all and will be missed even more THE 17 GameDays ahead of us as Michigan Fans.<br />
<br />
As tradition goes a Bottle of Jack has been sacrificed and it is without shame or doubt that I make the Prediction that Michigan will win 17 games in a row. (Ok I just copied that from last years blog)<br />
<br />
For all MMQ Fans, Friends of Russ, and Tailgaters near and far, we have decided we will make THE U-M Army Game our tribute to the MMQ and Russ at THE Corner of Hoover and Greene. We hope to see a great crowd! We'll make it a Big Game and will even have a few remarks from our standing Sergeant at Arms Major Dean Glossop. Why do I have THE scene in my mind of Patton addressing the Ladies Auxiliary?<br />
<br />
We are having difficulty resurrecting THE distribution of THE MMQ. Please forward to any and all Michigan Fans and have them respond to my email if they want to be added or deleted from THE MMQ Distribution. tomhall86@comcast.net<br />
<br />
Go Blue!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-62699919571982026122019-08-20T18:30:00.000-07:002019-08-20T18:30:20.893-07:00Hello MMQ fans!<br />
<br />
Obviously some difficult circumstances this year. We’re working on what the future of MMQ will be. but for the moment we will use it to communicate upcoming Tailgate Plans. We are planning a tribute to Russ at the Army Game, so it would be great to get as many of our friends out. More details to follow but we already have heard that Superfan, will be in attendance!MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-20173759737218758562019-05-23T09:17:00.000-07:002019-08-20T17:44:00.272-07:00JH MHBBC - Feedback, E-mails, Texts and Tweets<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, everyone has an opinion
one way or the other.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was strange
that as I was driving home I couldn’t fine one XM – Sirius station talking
about this hire!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After that mind-blowing
search, I flipped it over to the local stations. <b><i>1050 AM</i></b> (which I can barely
get in my area) was praising the hire as one of the best college coaching
“gets” in 25 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact they looked
at and compared J<b><i>uwan to the last 25 NCAA Hoops hires and in just about every
head to head comp I heard, they would have taken Juwan</i></b>. That included
Chris Beard at TTU based on the fact that before this season, would you have
hired Chris Beard not knowing what he was capable of? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THEN, I tuned into <b><i>97.1</i></b> and the <i><b>local
village idiot named Mike Valenti </b></i>that wears the Green “S” on his chest that was
pooh-poohing this hire last night. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">HE claimed that Michigan NEVER EVER would
have done this with their football program</i></b> - handing the reins to
a “complete unknown” as far as his capabilities at the collegiate level. “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All
Sizzle and No Steak” were his EXACT words</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
turned the radio off at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
kind of like politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Y<b><i>ou’ll never
change a conservative or liberals mind no matter how hard you try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is logical, the other is emotional.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a rare person that can see the middle
and the things that are “correct” for society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s Michigan and Sparty in a nutshell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sparty’ll ALWAYS HAVE THE CHIP and Michigan
will always be the Big Brother, superior in all ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">An Open Text to Michigan's Newest BB Coach: </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dear Juwan:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please make sweeping the LNU a number 1
priority for next season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know
how you’ll do it, I don’t really care what it takes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use dynamite if necessary but completely
DESTROY those clowns when the time comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Some other takes: <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I don’t think you ever use the “JH” moniker for Harbaugh, so you’re
probably ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is going to suck
for the “JH” crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shared initials!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Huh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I never really thought about it until
just now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I used JB a lot as I used to get
tired of typing out Beilein’s name as it wasn’t a natural word or combination
of letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Harbaugh, Harbs, Jimmy,
are what I use and I imagine I’ll use Howard</i></b> in the future quite a bit.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Is the Howard hold-up because he wants an out clause if the NBA offers him
a head coaching position without any pay-off clause?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This didn’t seem like any kind
of issue to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Juwan Howard was the 5<sup>th</sup>
pick when he was drafted and was the FIRST PLAYER EVER to sign a contract for
over $100M </i></b>dollar</span>s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/06/sports/howard-2-deals-2-teams-200-million.html"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/06/sports/howard-2-deals-2-teams-200-million.html</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I don’t believe Howard needs
the money and I doubt the amount he was making was a driving factor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">HE was looking for the opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IF anything, my guess he was actually trying
to figure out how he could get his assistants more mone</i></b>y as he knows
how the game works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By taking $2M
annually for 5 Seasons, that opens up a lot of room for salary for the
assistants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Would you sign someone as your head coach if he said that he might
leave next year for another position?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Uh…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Isn’t that a risk when you sign
ANY COACH, regardless of the buyout?</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People bail all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially in hoops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, we
just watched it happened!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we just
watched UCLA go through all that with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">several coaches that had hefty exit fees and
we also saw that some of those are negotiated down and some actually keep the
coach at their current school.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But here’s my take<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
I WANT to keep a coach that looks at another offer and thinks he’s getting a
better deal</i></b> at a better institution or in the Association that what he’s
got with me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the case or Juwan, $2M
is peanuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IF he has any early success,
you can bet that contract is renegotiated to get him to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
it’s a pain in the ass to go through in less than 5 years, but that’s the world
today friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are very few
lifers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Why didn’t one of the teams in the NBA hire Juwan?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’ve been kind of scratching
my head on that one also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I believe
it’s a combination of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Juwan
was coaching under one of the best NBA coaches out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also coached under Pat Riley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while he probably learned a LOT, what
could you say about his potential success as a head coach in the NBA (or
college?).</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, in Michigan’s
case, he’s an alumni, former player, will probably be able to recruit and he
may be successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan was willing to take the
gamble for $2M a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The NBA guys
probably looked at it and said, “Not yet.”</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the better question (that I can’t answer
either) is if Juwan got an offer from any of those teams, did he turn them
down?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #1f497d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just read your post of
yesterday….EXCELLENT WORK!!! I wholly concur.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Well, Thanks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I do appreciate that,</i></b> even though
there’s not much there that I believe anyone looking at the tea-leaves
correctly couldn’t have concluded otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, if you want to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">put a bias on it, by all means, there’s
about a THOUSAND different positions you could take on this one…But I do think
it was Michigan’s best option</i></b>, though it clearly wasn’t Warde’s first
option (Cooley) which again, I’ll never understand other than Warde knows the
guy…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This hire is a mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan
just took the “one and done” mantra to the next level…</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I really don’t know how you
can classify it as a mistake yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If
there’s anything we all should have learned by now is you don’t know who’s a
good or bad hire until you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
then you’re either extremely happy or figure that you’ve just wasted the last 4
years</i></b> or whatever with a bad decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t get hung up on what is a mistake right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let things play out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure there were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">many people that thought Bo
Schembechler was a mistake in 1969.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
one worked out ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The MMQ initially thought
Lloyd Carr was a HUGE mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
again, I worked with Moeller and knew him the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does anyone really know</i></b>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #1f497d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hang in there MMQ, Juwan is not done yet, and Rick Pit is
still in the wings. Boy that would sting, eh???</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We shall never speak or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mention
the words “Michigan” and “Pitino” in the same sentence ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who do will be banished from the Blog!</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-17498727770830774372019-05-22T13:15:00.000-07:002019-05-22T13:15:41.501-07:00It Could Have Been Worse...In Fact, I'm Starting To Have High Hopes!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have to leave the office before any official confirmation
has come out on this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s to hoping
that whatever the hold-up is, it gets resolved soon and Howard can head to Ann
Arbor, find a house and meet with players, recruits and staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://mgoblog.com/content/hello-juwan-howard-head-basketball-coach"><span style="color: blue;">https://mgoblog.com/content/hello-juwan-howard-head-basketball-coach</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So, it’s Juwan (well, not yet)!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately after <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cooley rejected the Michigan
opportunity (I don’t believe there was an offer – THANK GOD FOR SMALL FAVORS - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in spite of all the rumors)</i></b> Warde made
his way down to Miami, conducted an interview with what is apparently one of
the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">current
NBA’s best defensive assistants and former Michigan Fab Fiver Juwan Howard.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And he returned to Ann Arbor
and penned up an offer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It could have been worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cooley Mess”</i></b> I simply didn’t
understand:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">best
offensive team only ranked in the 100’s in KenPom</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine a fanbase that has been part
of teams with single digit offensive efficiencies and leading the NCAA in lack
of turnovers getting a guy like Cooley?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They
would have wanted his head on a platter after the first 20 Turnover game.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or sooner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Juwan comes with cache and a
swagger few other coaches could have matched</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> given
what he’s accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">endorsements
from some of the NBA’s greatest, including LeBron, Wade and Webber and Rose
(for obvious reasons),</i></b> he also got a lot of nods from coaches and other
players in the NBA who claimed they wouldn’t be the player they are today
without Howard’s tutelage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Juwan also knows Ann Arbor, a
lot like it’s current football coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knows the funny floor spots in Crisler Arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can hold up two NCAA National Championship
appearances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a plethora of other
stuff…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So, is there risk here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Read This:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/juwan-howard-the-latest-moldbreaking-nba-hire-in-college-basketball-192726324.html"><span style="color: blue;">https://sports.yahoo.com/juwan-howard-the-latest-moldbreaking-nba-hire-in-college-basketball-192726324.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Well, do you want than <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">answer
in one word or two?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell YES</i></b>
there’s risk here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Juwan has never been a head coach
anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s never recruited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he’s been away from the college game for
over 25 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone thinking there isn’t
risk is an idiot.</i></b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will he be
able to keep the current staff intact?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I wrote a little earlier, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yak interviewed with Shaka Smart but nothing
has come out of that discussion.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My guess is Yak has fallen in love with Michigan and Ann Arbor and wants
to stay here and continue building what’s a pretty damn good program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if Howard can keep at least Yak and 1 of
either Washington or Hayes</i></b>, than he’ll have already had a small victory
before he watches the first ball tipped in the 2019-20 season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Howard be able to retain the current
recruits?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remains to be seen</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will he be on the recruiting trail?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My guess is he’ll figure it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
how will <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Howard adjust to being a head coach down from the super-paced and
athleticly deep NBA?</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, I’ve
been watching the play-offs and the things that Steph Curry can do from
anywhere on the floor just blows my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Can Howard manage a game with way less talent than what’s on a typical
NBA squad?</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IT all remains to be seen….And, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">ALL OF THAT IS RISK!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But it’s not unmanageable risk
and it’s risk that I’m sure Juwan has more than defined for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">With two sons going through the AAU gamut,
he’s familiar with the recent kids in varying programs and top recruits that
are available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he was an AAU kid
himself.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention that he’s
got the backing of NBA names behind him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, consider this: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQspfGYPUpQ/XOWteopzk1I/AAAAAAAAEpQ/qn4wLKh-WZ4al4HbJVPGQ77kUikwTcNhACLcBGAs/s1600/LeBron%2Band%2BWade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="507" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQspfGYPUpQ/XOWteopzk1I/AAAAAAAAEpQ/qn4wLKh-WZ4al4HbJVPGQ77kUikwTcNhACLcBGAs/s1600/LeBron%2Band%2BWade.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">How many guys can walk in and
hold up a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tweet of LeBron and D-Wade saying “Juwan’s the MAN!”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have a hunch Juwan won’t do
that.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, don’t be at all
surprised if you hear <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brian Dutcher’s name getting mentioned by
Juwan</i></b> as someone that Juwan might call for advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Once a Michigan Man, always a Michigan Man</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Dutcher will help, of that I’m sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dutcher is currently coaching at San Diego
State where he took over for Steve Fisher. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 74 year-old “Fish” might even give his
old player a pointer or two in recruiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b><i>AHEM:</i></b> So, would you care to <b><i>rank all
of these worry beads </i></b>so we know what we should be most concerned with? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, my biggest concern:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This fan base is now <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SO USED TO BEILEIN BALL that as
soon as that one ugly turn-over game happens, </i></b>were all going to be, “What
happened to the ball control we had under Beilein?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or worse, Michigan, sort of like this past
season, loses some of its offensive swagger and ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gotta get that back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And will Howard be able to manage the college
game?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Retaining the coaching staff and some of the
Beilein culture.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Say what you
want, I think Beilein’s fingerprints should be embraced and they should
continue on with how Michigan should look and act on and off the court. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recruiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Somehow, I feel like this will be the least of our worries if Juwan can
land a really big name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he can do
that, the others will follow, assuming Michigan is showing an interest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">All in all, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this
is probably the best outcome this ordeal could have had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, Jay Wright would have been the ultimate
catch</i></b>, but Jay Wright, I’m convinced, isn’t leaving for anywhere
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s going to be at Villanova
until he retires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of him as Coach
K for the Wildcats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, as I said on Monday, I can live with this.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I certainly don’t have the same trepidation
I had when Rich Rod was hired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OR the
simply “Whatever” hire of Brady Hoke.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Warde did as good as he could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s all you can do</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>History will bear out whether it’s a good
decision or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Overall, I’m a little bit
excited to see what Howard can do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-61073516789388132942019-05-20T10:38:00.001-07:002019-05-20T10:38:35.275-07:00All Hail - Juwan Howard? Could It Happen?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
was a huge Fab 5 fan.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we, Michigan Fans, believed that it was Steve Fisher that managed to land the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fab 5
of Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson, I think
all thought that Fisher was a genius recruiter</i></b> and that Michigan had to
potential to be in the National Title search for 3 or even possibly 4 seasons! We believed it so much that a bunch of us
(loyal readers and slappies TJH, TMcD and others hopped in a Chevy Astro and
drove to the Final Four in Minneapolis in 1992.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>That’s how much we believed.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What we eventually came to learn was that when <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mitch
Albom authored “Fab Five” in 1993,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brian
Dutcher played a HUGE ROLE in getting the “key” player in that group</i></b> to
Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dutcher realized that if he
could get the first domino to fall, the rest would follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Dutcher knew exactly who that was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Juwan
Howard<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Juwan was the key as he was the most mature and Dutcher knew
that Juwan would assist in recruiting the rest of the Fab 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dutcher paid more attention to him than any
of the other 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ate at Juwan’s
Grandma’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had fried greens for
the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Juwan came to
Michigan’s Hoops Camp, Dutcher made sure Jimmy King attended Michigan’s Camp at
the same time and made them roommates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dutcher knew that Howard was the most
important piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And Guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juwan signed first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t remember or need to recall, read
the first couple of chapters for free on Amazon…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fab-Five-Basketball-Trash-American/dp/0446517348"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.amazon.com/Fab-Five-Basketball-Trash-American/dp/0446517348</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XSgL-wDa78/XOLkW5JXstI/AAAAAAAAEo0/lesB94c1IV8XkDhnagcKwQ2b1KqVC-QfgCLcBGAs/s1600/Juwan%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="467" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XSgL-wDa78/XOLkW5JXstI/AAAAAAAAEo0/lesB94c1IV8XkDhnagcKwQ2b1KqVC-QfgCLcBGAs/s1600/Juwan%2B2.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And right after Juwan signed, Jimmy King followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Ray Jackson soon followed after
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it wasn’t until those
three worked on Webber and Rose for a couple of months that those two decided
to come along and make Michigan history as one of the greatest recruiting
classes to ever go to one university.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Granted, Rose’s coach ended up on the bench at Michigan, also, sort of
securing the Rose commitment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at the
time, there was nothing illegal about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But before I get to far ahead of myself and why I think
Juwan would be the “Fit” Michigan is looking for:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Defining Moment:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On
the same day that Howard had signed his LOI, Juwan’s grandmother died
unexpectedly and both Dutcher and Fisher showed up to her funeral a few days
later</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Howard realized at that
moment that Michigan was more than just a school or a university…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Michigan
is Family. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, if you’re asking me what I think about Juwan Howard, I’ll
say this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I don’t know if he can be a head
coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have a clue (same as
everyone else) as to whether or not he can recruit.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know he came “THIS CLOSE” to winning a
National Title in College<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know he won an NBA Title with the Miami Heat and LeBron James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know he was on the NBA All Star team
several times and has interviewed for several NBA head coaching positions</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he has either turned them down or they’ve
turned him down for whatever reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But I can tell you this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Juwan Howard is definitely a Michigan Man</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still speaks highly of Michigan and the
degree he earned from Ann Arbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jalen
Rose seems to agree with me.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And wouldn’t it be great to see Rose as an assistant
at Michigan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think so!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/130/michigan-wolverines"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/130/michigan-wolverines</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the same time, do you go with a guy with absolutely no
head coaching experience but a lot of love for his alma mater?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decisions like this can only really be
summarized and judged in the sometimes long aftermath that follows this type of
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nobody had a clue as to whether
or not a deeply devoted Jesuit coach from WVU would be any good at
Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill Martin decided he WOULD
be good for Michigan</i></b> and would get Michigan back on the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking back, it was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">probably one of Bill Martin’s Greatest
Decisions</i></b> in all of his tenure as Michigan’s AD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we
needed time and perspective to get to this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not ever decision Bill made paid off like
this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sailboat Bill also hired Rich Rod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From WVU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that looked like a better hire</i></b>, at the time, then
Beilein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m pretty sure we all know exactly how
that worked out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bottom Line:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Warde
Manuel might be making a good or a bad decision with whomever he hires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We simply won’t know until there’s time
behind the decision</i></b> as to whether or not it was good or bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s all there is to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Make the best decision you can, support the individual and
keep things moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-69190530426039814562019-05-16T08:21:00.001-07:002019-05-16T08:21:49.527-07:00WITAH Aftermath: Rumblings & Rumors<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you know what the Cavaliers had to pay in the form of a
buy-out to get Beilein?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you sitting
down?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not going to believe this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 48.0pt; line-height: 107%;">$0.00<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s
Zero Dollar’s and Zero Cents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Zippo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nada….Nuttin’<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Warde Manuel just gave Beilein and lifetime contract last
year and in the day and age of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">EVERY SINGLE COLLEGE COACH </i></b>having a
buy-out, didn’t include one in Beilein’s contract. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well
That’s Fantastic</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Either Manuel is the biggest idiot in the room or had a plan
in place already if Beilein did bolt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
nervous that my observation is the former. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if that is the case, how is Warde viewed
in the world of college athletics?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
do coaches hear when they make a phone call to ask about Warde Manuel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are the other guys saying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, that’s a big deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Rumors:</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are rumors flying about<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://mgoblog.com/content/searchbits-ii-less-depressing"><span style="color: blue;">https://mgoblog.com/content/searchbits-ii-less-depressing</span></a>)
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That Michigan is at least making the Home Run Phone calls
they should be making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But similar to
the UCLA debacle, it would appear that most coaches that have a good or great
gig aren’t ready to give it up for the unknown, even if there’s more money
involved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kiss Jay Wright good-bye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mike Brey (Domers) and Mike White (Florida) have been
mentioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could live with (maybe?)
the Brey idea but ABSOLUTELY HATE the Mike White idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t ask me why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re going to go after White, open the
checkbook and go get Donovan from OKC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was depressing to read that one of the first guys <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beilein
is looking at hiring is Juwan Howard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently they hit it off when the Fab 5 (4) visited Crisler</i></b>
this past season and there was a lot of mutual respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juwan is also very religious and that fits
with Beilein’s personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the idea
of Juwan coming back to coach at his alma mater probably just wandered off to
Cleveland…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ed Cooley’s (Providence) name is being tossed about, but to
me that’s not even close to a replacement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d just as soon keep Yak or Saddi in the interim role for the upcoming
season and see what shakes out in 6 months during the next carousel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you can’t be bothered to read the mgoblog link above, Brian
linked to an article that covered the fiasco that was the UCLA search.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, they had 60 names on the list and
they included: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-mick-cronin-coaching-search-20190429-story.html?hootPostID=f674f8cbb2374cc25aa37f209bb0cbd6"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-mick-cronin-coaching-search-20190429-story.html?hootPostID=f674f8cbb2374cc25aa37f209bb0cbd6</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Calipari
– Stevens – Izzo – Wright – Donovan – Few – Bennet – Hopkins – Painter and
Prohm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hopkins, Painter and Prohm all declined to be interviewed
by UCLA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, that doesn’t bode well for the Home Runs listed
above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Tier II guys are shooting
down a Blue-Blood, well, it’s going to be really hard to land a Tier 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, UCLA’s AD (Rebholz) is a bit of a
tool or melon-head (take your pick) and doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing
and that may have been a big contributor as to why guys were saying no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let me remind you about a guy named Dave
Brandon</i></b>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we all get why that
could be a big part of UCLA’s problem…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But, as mentioned above, what’s Warde’s reputation out in
the basketball world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has he done
as an AD?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s raised the ticket and
donation prices during his tenure and I think he hired a varsity coach in some
sport, but the who escapes me at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m nervous that anyone seriously
considering the position is going to want at least 5 years guaranteed in order
to survive JB’s legacy and hopefully build one of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if Warde is shrewd enough to
figure all of this out…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know if I was a coach and I heard that Beilein didn’t
have a buy-out, that we be a major concern I would have during the interview
and I would need that answered ASAP before I could even begin mulling over the
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The LA Times article also talked about some of the big name
coaches not surviving the vetting process (which will be an issue at Michigan)
and it makes me wonder about Gregg Marshall (Witchy State).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why hasn’t he made the jump to a Power 5 and
what skeleton is in that closet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
guess is it’s something big and Marshall isn’t leaving Witchy State any time
soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rick Barnes had more or less left for UCLA until his buyout
caused UCLA to balk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeez,
a buyout protecting a coach – what a novel idea!</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Barnes would probably listen, but at 64,
you’re going to be going through this whole process again in 5 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OF course, if he’s a bust, you’ll WANT to go
through this whole process again in 5 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Porter Moser (Chicago Loyola – think Sister Jean) has his
name being tossed about, but with the exception of 2017-18 and some very lucky
shots going in during the NCAA tourney, he hasn’t done ANYTHING remarkable with
teams ranked in the KenPom 100’s…So, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not interested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jamie Dixon’s name (TCU) is also getting play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TCU has been playing better and he was also
headed to UCLA until his $9M buy-out got in the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dixon is 53 and is one of the few coaches to
stand toe to toe with Kansas and Bill Self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So he can build a program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
this doesn’t exactly move the needle for me, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The News just ran an article about how difficult (read: impossible) to get Chris Beard. So that's over. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2019/05/15/texas-techs-chris-beard-john-beilein-like-path-luring-him-michigan-could-challenge/3679819002/"><b>https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2019/05/15/texas-techs-chris-beard-john-beilein-like-path-luring-him-michigan-could-challenge/3679819002/</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And that’s about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The list of potential candidates is pretty sparse and not incredibly
exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jordan’s name wasn’t even
mentioned by the insider so Michigan must not even have him on the list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-56184463612615277382019-05-15T07:24:00.006-07:002019-05-15T07:24:49.531-07:00Still More After The WITAH Monday...<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why Did JB Go To Cleveland?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/columnist/dan-wolken/2019/05/13/john-beilein-move-cleveland-cavaliers-loss-college-basketball/1189645001/">https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/columnist/dan-wolken/2019/05/13/john-beilein-move-cleveland-cavaliers-loss-college-basketball/1189645001/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You people just
keep bringing it….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Look, I’m no NCAA Expert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m also not on John Beilein’s single digit speed dial on his I-phone…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No, I don’t know what he was thinking…I only think JB knew
what he was thinking…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And in short, that thought process was, “Hey, I’ve been to
2 NC’s in the NCAA with the University of Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got a shot at coaching an up and coming
team in the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For guaranteed money.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m 66.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m going to have time off in the summer time</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To spend with family and friends and not
chasing teen-age dreamers who all have NBA aspirations but cannot all possibly
end up in the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, I’ll develop them
and help them, but at the end of the day, they have to produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But I’m going to get to enjoy some of
whatever is left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a near fatal
plane crash and double by-pass surgery</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Enjoying what’s left is pretty important to me…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anyone “blaming” Beilein for leaving that reads this blog
can stop reading now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might have 5-10
really good years left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You start
thinking about that…I get where he’s coming from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shit like that changes you and your outlook
on life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes you think and evaluate
what’s important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JB accomplished more at Michigan than any other coach in
the same time span in the NCAA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More 1<sup>st</sup>
round picks of non-5 Star candidates than any other active NCAA coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s saying something…And he did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">watched any of the NBA lottery show (and I
watched more than I should have)</i></b> and you saw the JB interview, you saw
a man who was excited to be taking the next step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could see the renewed enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hope of entering into something fresh and
unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You
didn’t see the guy 45 days ago when Brazdeikis, Poole and Matthews all declared
for the NBA draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you watched
Beilein on that day, you could see how defeated</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> he
looked and obviously felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, he put
on a strong face and the obligatory, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“We’re Michigan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be fine!”</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you could tell what he was feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">More recruiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
reaching out to grad transfers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
Transfer Portal searching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All
the same ole’ crap….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t blame the guy for looking for something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t give up on Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The players he recruited gave up on
Michigan.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll never convince
me otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Players are getting really lousy advice from family or
family friends about what an individual’s value is really worth at the next
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in some cases, it’s not worth
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s why JB left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was tired of annually re-building the Michigan brand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last season was ample evidence of
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor shooting, questionable
offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s not one player on the
Michigan team that should have been thinking, “I’m ready for the NBA”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all
needed WAY MORE DEVELOPMENT!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They all should have been thinking, “I need another year
with this guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look how far he took us
with raw talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another year or two
with his tutelage might get me into the first round of the NBA draft.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s what they all should have been thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they’re weren’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s why JB left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
In The Actual Hell #2…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And
Because Men Are Still Men (That are roughly my Age) and Women Used To Be Able
to Admire Another Woman Without it Being a Problem…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This fan has seen a lot in my 50 plus years of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">watching
“stuff”.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I never thought I’d
see a day where a Burka Clad woman would grace the pages of Sports Illustrated’s
swimsuit issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, what in the hell
is the point of THAT?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I never
thought I would actually read that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bruce (Caitlyn) Jenner would pose nude for
the cover of the women’s swimsuit issue</i></b>…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The transformation act on Jenner’s part a couple of years
ago and this new “News” has given me night sweats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve thrown up in my mouth thinking about it…I
kind of worshipped Jenner as an 11-year old kid when he won the Gold Medal in
the Decathlon in 1976 and set a record for total points in said event. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jenner was cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every chick wanted him… <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He made running and track and field cool…So
I ran track and field…<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now
– I can’t even have my memories…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, in celebration of being a man (and/or a woman), here’s some
pics and a link to all the SI Swimsuit Issue Cover Girls going back to the 60’s
for a nice stroll down memory lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Granted,
this Blog didn’t start with this type of thing, but during the “Dark Years” of
Michigan Football, we all for damn sure needed a distraction</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Jenner had made revisiting those days
with this link and a few memorable photos a requirement to make us remember
what it was to be boys and girls!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
feel good about that fact…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/photo/2016/02/13/every-cover-si-swimsuit-edition#25">https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/photo/2016/02/13/every-cover-si-swimsuit-edition#25</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-91704118754213221662019-05-14T07:00:00.001-07:002019-05-14T07:25:18.877-07:00WITAH Follow Up<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">E-Mail,
Texts and Tweets<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, yes, I was stunned when I heard the news on the
radio as I was driving to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t
have believed it if you texted it to me and I would have gone to the internet
to confirm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could have told me Izzo
was leaving and I would have more readily believed that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, I’m still a little numb today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
did Michigan Lose? <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have a look. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone
who <i><b>doubts what Michigan accomplished under Beilein is either crazy or has a
very, VERY poor recall of Michigan Hoops History.</b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see the Frieder, Fisher, Ellerbe
and Amaker eras all happening before Beilein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>McCartney and Fisher were good, but not Beilein Good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">EVERYONE has feelings about EVERYTHING Beilein and wanted
to get stuff off their chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going
to try to include them all:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No successful NBA coaches from
college?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about Stevens at Boston and
Donovan for OKC?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, Donovan has
been flirting with the hot seat for a couple of seasons, but Stevens seems like
the real deal.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Okay, sue me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
forgot about both those guys and they both had fairly successful careers
(Butler and Florida – Donovan 2 NC’s) before bolting for the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I didn’t say Beilein wouldn’t be
successful, it’s just going to be really, REALLY hard in Cleveland – without LeBron.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Can Beilein actually be REPLACED?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s tied with Calipari, Coach K and Roy
Williams with 18 Tourney wins since 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s the most in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
also had 278 victories in 12 seasons at Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take out the losing seasons and you’re
looking at an average in the mid 20’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s not many programs that can say that.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Confirmation….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2019/5/13/18617764/john-beilein-michigan-basketball-cleveland-cavaliers-coaching-hire-lavall-jordan">https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2019/5/13/18617764/john-beilein-michigan-basketball-cleveland-cavaliers-coaching-hire-lavall-jordan</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well jeez, when you put it that way…Wait – Izzo’s not on
that list?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOL!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, JB is going to leave a big hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think anyone is going to really
appreciate that until he’s actually not on the sideline twitching his lips and
yelling at referees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or recruiting crazy
shooters that shoot from anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So replacing Beilein?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe next to impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding someone that’s close?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good Luck… </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Where do I sign the petition for Chris
Beard?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Good question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
name has definitely come up more than any other active coach in all the
Michigan twitter accounts and fan sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I just read that TT dumped a new contract on him that will make
Beard one of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">top 10 paid coaches in the NCAA</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I doubt he’s really looking that hard…But
then again, who knows?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Should Warde call Jay Wright?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think he’d leave Villanova?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Warde should absolutely call ANYONE and EVERYONE as
Michigan is seen as a pretty good gig, has been running a clean program and if
you’re any kind of recruiter, should be easy to come in and pick up where
Beilein left off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wright has always been
a guy I thought would be a great coach to cheer for and get behind when things
are not always going perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wright
is only paid about $2.6M annually at Villanova and Michigan could easily open
up the cash register and beat that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wright supposedly turned down the UCLA job for double his current
salary, $5.2M</i></b>, so you might need to at least match that offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I personally think Michigan is a better
gig than UCLA RIGHT NOW. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, it doesn’t
matter what I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone has to ask
Wright what HE thinks… Add you can go ahead and add Tony Bennett (Virginia) to
that list, but I doubt he’ll ever leave Virginia and the ACC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
Bennett is extremely well compensated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is any of this Warde’s fault?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you laying all of this at the feet of
Beilein?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beilein had to fight HARD to
get raises for his assistants just to get them on par with the other assistant
coaches in the B1G.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to lay
some of this on Warde for making things miserable for Beilein for too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a guy is happy, he’s not looking.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hmmmmmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan just had one of the
greatest runs of basketball ever in the history of the program</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warde should have been bending over backwards
making sure that entire staff was happier than pigs in poop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard rumors that Beilein had to go to
the mat for the assistants and getting them raises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess we can partially blame Warde.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think we’ll REALLY be blaming Warde
depending on who he hires as the replacement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As far as Beilein looking, if you read his comments, he wanted to see
what it’d be like at the next level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Izzo has looked, they’re all looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John just decided to pull the trigger. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Michigan’s hoops future has been in a
downward spiral since the 3<sup>rd</sup> loss to the Slime (LNU).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a disaster!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we should be able to attract a very
good coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, we must wonder WHY we
seem to have such difficulty with stability and if his leaving is related to
player turnover?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
wholeheartedly and emphatically disagree with the first part of that response</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan has NOT been in a downward spiral since
that 3<sup>rd</sup> loss to the Slime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They won 30 games and made the Sweet 16 last season in what was supposed
to be a re-building year! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan’s defense
has improved tremendously was great throughout the B1G and NCAA Tourneys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I think the overall talent has maintained
the status quo, it just hasn’t developed fully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The team they lost to (Texas Tech with Michigan shooting a
miserable 1-19 from the 3-point line) almost won the entire Enchilada! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess if you want to point at that game and
call it a “downward spiral”, you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
call it a bad day from the 3-point line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, Michigan is losing some talent with Brazdeikis, Matthews and Poole
bailing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they’ve still got some
talent on the bench and coming in next season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With respect to LNU: The Slime was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supposed to be very good this past season</i></b>
and we all knew beating them would require Michigan’s best game. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time in a long time, this team
didn’t have a go to guy on offense and lacked the precision from the 3-point
arc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">However, I do agree that Beilein
was probably tired of guys like Mo, Brazdeikis, and others coming in for a
couple of seasons and then bolting to the NBA</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, yeah, in today’s modern NCAA basketball,
I think coaches all get tired of losing their superstars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think it’s just Beilein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Beilein was definitely staring a
re-building season or two before getting another shot at a NC. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do think if we started letting players make
a little money while they’re in college, we’d see a lot more of them hanging
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Poole could have signed his
picture making the “Shot” in the Tourney against Houston for $20 a pop, I’m
betting he’d still be a Wolverine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You think Yaklich is ready?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t even the interim Head Coach when they
went to Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saddi was the guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yaklich is a MAC or Con USA material before
any power 5 job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think he’s
ready for the Michigan job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what
about someone like John Brannen – too bad he took that Cincinnati job…</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Again, great point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I forgot about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saddi Washington being the interim HC when
Beilein had his surgery</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
just afraid this thing could get worse before it gets better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Yak and Saddi were loyal Beilein guys –
are they going to be looking for better gigs also? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are rumored to be awesome recruiters and
everyone is always looking for that ability in coaches. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s my major concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can the rest of the band be held together or
is this going to turn into a free-for-all with Michigan coaches bolting for
everywhere?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like Brannen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did great things for WKU and will probably
be successful at Cincinnati.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while I
like a lot of mid-major coaches, I do think Michigan can shoot higher and land
a Power 5 guy…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What about Harbaugh’s Brother In
Law?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOL!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Crean…</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tom
Crean (who’s married to Joani Harbaugh) is currently the head coach at Georgia</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> and I
get the impression that they like him there – a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan would be a step up, but Crean has
probably had his fill of B1G Hoops after his experience at Indiana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, maybe worth the phone call as Crean
was a victim of injury plagued teams while at Indiana and was the superstar
coach when he was under Izzo and then subsequently the Head Coach at Marquette
(who he took to a Final Four).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
some of you may laugh at the idea of Crean, I wouldn’t be that upset about that
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You said you always liked Tim Miles and
he’s looking for a gig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is that
shooting too low?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Actually, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miles, in a weird way, makes a little bit of
sense</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan is still (ahem) a
football school and will always have the 2<sup>nd</sup> fiddle be the Head
Basketball Coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though Beilein
was doing everything in his power to change that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Miles was also a basketball coach at a
football school, so he gets that piece of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And again, he was another victim of transfers and injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he seemed to recruit okay – to LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
of all places, that cannot be the easiest place to recruit basketball players. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, he’s the associate director of
basketball operations at Creighton. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
I’m not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got to think about
that one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, it might be shooting
a hair too low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m not thinking Michigan is the greatest
job in the world like everyone else seems to think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan is a football school and if you’re a
coach that follows Beilein with 1 or 2 bad seasons where you don’t make the
NCAA’s or, heaven forbid, the NIT, people will want you gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care what your pedigree is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See: Tommy Amaker.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, as I mentioned in the Miles comment, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s
going to take a guy that can handle being at a football school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But yes, I agree it’s not Duke, Kentucky,
UNC, Indiana or a true blue-blood</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But still, I would think that most coaches would at least have the
discussion and visit Ann Arbor to see what the place looks like (if they haven’t
been there before). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, Tommy
Amaker was everything you’d want in a coach and that just didn’t work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Manuel has his hands full. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I just read this article that has a
list of coaches that could replace Beilein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It includes some of the guys you mentioned but there’s a couple of other
names in here worth considering:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LaVall
Jordan and Juwan Howard.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2019/05/13/john-beilein-replacement-michigan-basketball-coaching-candidates/1188924001/">https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2019/05/13/john-beilein-replacement-michigan-basketball-coaching-candidates/1188924001/</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I also saw this article yesterday and the Jordan and Howard
mentions were eyebrow raisers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jordan is
a Beilein disciple and was the heir apparent before taking the Butler job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still think he’s maybe too young, but
again, what do I know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juwan Howard, on
the other hand, is currently an assistant coach for the Miami Heat and comes
from an era that a lot of Michigan Basketball fans love reminiscing about but
would also rather forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think
Juwan was ever accused of anything (unlike Weber) but still, Howard may be too
much of a throwback for some Michigan fans that have enjoyed the 12 seasons of
Catholic School that was John Beilein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m still pissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beilein lied to me at a Charity Breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said the only two jobs better than
Michigan would be an orphanage and prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reasoning:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>orphans don’t have
parents and the prisoners don’t have pissed off alumni!</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Very true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
still remember during the Caris LaVert injury season all the people (and
alumni) that wanted Beilein GONE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
couldn’t believe what I was hearing but everyone thinks you can’t have a
rebuilding season or have a down year due to injuries and you have to be in
there every season battling for a championship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Maybe we should get the smartest
basketball main in the world…knows everything, second guesses every action,
play and coach….Dan Dakich!</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That, would be hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think Dan has hung up the whistle or he’d already have a gig
somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Are you drinking yet?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No, not yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s
see what Warde does and then maybe it’ll be time to open up a bottle…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hey – Pitino Sr. is still available!</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If that were to ever happen, it will be the last time I
watch Michigan Hoops…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-61332975322086780352019-05-13T07:19:00.000-07:002019-05-13T07:19:03.563-07:00What In The Actual Hell....<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, I’ve been on hiatus for a few months waiting for
something that was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">truly world or earth shattering to get me to attack the keyboard with
my opinions and statements of fact.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This morning, the world for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan Basketball Fans
Shattered</i></b>…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://mgoblog.com/content/exit-john-beilein-seriously">https://mgoblog.com/content/exit-john-beilein-seriously</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26737028/michigan-beilein-coach-cavaliers"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26737028/michigan-beilein-coach-cavaliers</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When something like this happens, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I think it’s natural to have a “WTF”
moment and let your mind go over all the details as to “Why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some Facts: Beilein flirted with the Pistons and
Magic jobs</i></b> last season, but I honestly believed that was a leverage
move to get <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ward Manuel off his dead ass and do something for Beilein, the BEST
BASKETBALL COACH TO EVER COACH AT MICHIGAN</i></b> and get JB and his staff
contracts that were worthy of the teams that this collection of coaches was
putting on the floor season in and season out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I really didn’t think there was anything more to it than
that…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But, when I look at the environment surrounding NCAA
Basketball, and if I were coaching <i><b>(Stop Laughing Now)</b></i> and I was doing it the
Beilein way, straight up, no cheating, no money changing hands, etc., <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’d
probably be pretty fed up with the entire thing too.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, here’s a guy that’s made two NCAA
Title games in the last 6 seasons (2013 and 2018) and runs a program as clean
as the new fallen snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He had
to coach one title game against Louisville, a team that WAS SO DIRTY it should
have received the death penalty</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Against Nova, he was up against a
bunch of one and dones who all showed up to play for Nova in the same year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not entirely fishy, but at the same time…Questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition to those facts, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the number two guy in the front
office at Cleveland, Mike Gansey, played for Beilein at WVU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention that Gilbert has been infatuated
with both Beilein and Izzo for quite awhile</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gilbert was no doubt in full support of this
decision and probably consulted with Izzo who was probably like, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“SURE!!!
BEILEIN IS A GREAT COACH!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should
hire him!!!” </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, paving the
way for an easy LNU B1G Title come 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gilbert just screwed Michigan
twice…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nice…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m still <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a little numb as I really thought I knew
this guy</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly believed he
had bought into and become a “Michigan Man” over the 12 seasons he spent in Ann
Arbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he may still be a Michigan
Man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, again, the burden of having to
beat everyone that was willing to win using any means necessary and recruiting
prima donnas (read: Poole) and selling yourself to teenagers that don’t have a
friggin’ clue probably gets tedious, regardless of how dedicated you are to the
University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In a way, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’d really like to see Beilein succeed.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, going to the absolute <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">WORST
NBA franchise</i></b> in the league that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">MIGHT get Zion</i></b> in the draft probably
was enough to make the gamble worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Beilein knows how to get the most out of middling talent
players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And guys like to play for
Beilein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a good rep in that
regard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, the problem is that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">college coaches simply don’t “get”
the attitude of the NBA and the players that can play at that level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pitino, Calipari, Carlesimo among others all
gave the NBA a shot</i></b> and couldn’t make it work and a lot of people would
argue that those coaches were and are a better coaches than Beilein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, I can’t off the top of my head, think of a college coach that’s had any
success in the NBA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anyone?
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yeah, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Coach K managed the 2<sup>nd</sup> dream
team in the Olympics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TOTALLY DIFFERENT
discussion.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of 30
College games with 3-4 days to prep in between games, you have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">82
NBA games with many games going back to back or with a day off in between games</i></b>
that’s a travel day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My Point:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It Ain’t a
“Practice” league.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You show up ready to
play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beilein’s a practice coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask anybody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, in the end, Beilein is gone and Michigan has 12
wonderful fun-filled seasons of memories and remarkable moments that this fan
will never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which sort of begs
the next question: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who’s
Michigan going to get?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Beilein’s
son Pat was just named the head coach at Niagra</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My guess is Manuel isn’t going to stick his
neck out on a legacy and a “hunch” that the son is as good as the old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yaklich
seems like the obvious choice as the brainchild of Michigan’s Vaunted Defense</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he’d be a first-time head coach at
what has become a premier job in the NCAA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, Michigan is definitely a top 10 or 20 job in college hoops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And hiring a College Hoops Coach in May isn’t great timing
for anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I texted the new out this AM
and there were many immediate <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">suggestions with the coach from Texas Tech, Chris
Beard, being a name that popped up from several people</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit that after the TT run this
season and hearing Beard interviewed several times that I would be comfortable
with that hire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe he comes from
the Beilein mold and has literally been EVERYWHERE on his way to the HC job for
the Red Raiders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">name thrown out was Underwood from Illinois</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like that guy as well and Michigan would
definitely be a step up for Underwood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yep – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Manuel has got his hands full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess we’ll see what kind of AD he is</i></b>
and whether or not he’s been keeping that list of coaches nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should have been after last season and the
Pistons and Magic discussions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beilein
wasn’t hiding anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Manuel should
have prepared in kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anyway, the MMQ/MMPG is alive and well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It just took an earth shattering moment to get the keyboard
dusted off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-59668476076240326052019-02-14T13:16:00.001-08:002019-02-14T13:16:38.217-08:00It's Been Awhile...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know its been awhile since I’ve
posted.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>I actually didn’t even get to
watch THE STU, Iowa or Rutgers games due to unexpected travel and family
events. Then, work got very busy. THEN I got what had to be the worst case of
the flu</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> known to man and spent two days laid up on what I thought was
my death bed.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I honestly thought I would
have to get better to die, that’s how bad I felt</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now, in my 2<sup>nd</sup> day
back on the grind, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I feel I can take a breath and post a post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of going into a deep analysis of all
the games, I’ll bullet point a few take aways (I re-watched all the games that
I missed on BTN in 60):<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE STU:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never knew what hit them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Wesson scuffle was classless STU shenanigans
and Michigan outclassed the visitors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">IOWA:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watched a little on my phone at a family even
and could easily figure that Iowa was simply playing better Defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yep, a re-watch of the game confirmed
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That and Michigan's shooting was akin to trying to hit the
floor if they rolled off the table …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Rutgers:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to play this team twice a
season, <b><i>Pwease!</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They suck….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wiscy:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strange when you have good Refereeing and
Teske ISN’T on the bench in the 1<sup>st</sup> two minutes of the 1<sup>st</sup>
and 2<sup>nd</sup> halves, Ethan Happ turns out to be not so good…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">PSU:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have and would have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">predicted
a possible upset if I could have found the strength to post on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the day that I thought I might still
be dying and in fact, I fell asleep before the game was actually over</i></b>
when Michigan had closed it to within 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s how sick I was</i></b>…And we’re going to get to the refereeing
in a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So, 2 losses in that stretch
where one was somewhat predictable (PSU) and Iowa could have been a W had the
team just shot better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Why was PSU predictable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan had just won a big, EMOTIONAL game
against Wiscy on Saturday</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PSU had the extra time to prepare for
Michigan and is a NET top 100 team ranked at 75.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">PSU has lost 8 games this season by less
than a possession</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torvik and
Kenpom also like PSU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Plus,
Michigan has traditionally played lousy down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the loss to PSU in 2013 is what
sparked the Title Game Run!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So maybe it’s
a good omen?</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’ve said it’s tough to win
them all<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But 5-3 in the last 8 is a
problem.</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I wonder if there’s a similar
thread to the losses?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out there
is!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Referee Conspiracy<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As you know, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m
no lover of referees in any sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
too many blown calls and too many situations where bias and favoritism can come
into play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought Michigan got
screwed up in Madison when Teske got two cheap calls </i></b>relegating him to
the bench in both halves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I re-watched
the Iowa game and didn’t see anything too blatant, but still, it was a
loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The PSU loss was some of the
ABSOLUTE WORST OFFICIATING I’VE EVER SEEN.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please see the double dribble no-call in this
link (I’m sorry I can’t post the Tiwtter Feed here as my blogger no longer
allows twitter embedding – why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know…)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://971theticket.radio.com/articles/refs-miss-obvious-double-dribble-end-michigan-and-penn-state-game-video">https://971theticket.radio.com/articles/refs-miss-obvious-double-dribble-end-michigan-and-penn-state-game-video</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If you don’t want to link –
Trust me when I say it was a BLATANT double-dribble</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But before THAT happened, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John
Beilein got Double-T’d and bounced out of the game after losing his marbles on
a moving pick on Xavier Simpson that looked more like something you’d see on a
football field</i></b> than a basketball court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beilein got “Beilein Mad” which by any comparison (Izzo, Calipari, K,
hell – Anyone Else) is like Beilein scolding a young child to not touch a hot
stove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we know that Beilein doesn’t
curse.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And he was bounced<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First time since JuCo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over 30 years ago</i></b>….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And then the News printed
this: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2019/02/13/michigans-john-beilein-awaits-interesting-discussion-after-rare-ejection/2856746002/">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2019/02/13/michigans-john-beilein-awaits-interesting-discussion-after-rare-ejection/2856746002/</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Head Referee for Michigan’s only three losses this season:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lewis
Garrison</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> - Graduate from the U of
Minnesota…..where he played as a receiver in Football. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not
only was the 3<sup>rd</sup> foul call against Iggy (at PSU) a ghost call, the
blatant double dribble was completely missed….<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FAFAFA; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; margin-left: 45.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-highlight: yellow;">Washington added he was surprised how quickly Beilein received both
technicals because while he was fired up, he was trying to get clarification on
the last play of the half from the officiating crew of Paul Szelc, Lewis
Garrison and Rob Riley.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-highlight: yellow;">“I think you guys have been around long enough to know Coach Beilein
and the latitude a guy in his position should get after a questionable call,”
Washington said. “At the end of the day, we're here to compete.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, I’m not a conspiracy theorist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Most of you know I’m a little league and
travel softball umpire and I’ve even umped a few High School games. There’s
coaches and players I don’t like, but I never let that skew my judgement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><i>You can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
there’s some pretty damning evidence at this point with this crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The calls up in Madison were so Ticky-Tack
that it’s beyond discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Calls
and NO CALLS at PSU were abominable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Izzo
was a driving force with the B1G League office to get TV Teddy Valentine</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
bounced due to his antics and the BS he would pull on LNU every other game or
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Beilein
and the University of Michigan need to to the same thing with this crew</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">NEVER
HIRE THEM AGAIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if there’s no
Bias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s GROSS INCOMPETENCE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s
enough to hopefully never see them in a B1G game ever again</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The PREDICTIVE STATS!</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">6 Games left with 4 games
against Quad 1 Teams<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Team<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Date<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Day<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Torvik Prediction <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Result<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-19<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>64-60<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>L <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>64-54<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-22<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>75-60<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>59-57<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ IU<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>1-25<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Friday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>70-63<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>69-46<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE STU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-29<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>69-58<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>65-49<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Iowa<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-1<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Friday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>73-68<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="color: red;">L <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>74-59</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Rutgers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-5<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
69-57<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>W <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>77-65<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>2-9<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 67-57<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>61-52<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ PSU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 67-58<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="color: red;">L 75-69</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-16<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
73-62<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-21<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thursday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
71-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-24<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 72-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nebraska<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-28<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thursday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>71-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-3<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>69-66<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-9<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>L<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>72-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And the Gophers who are
sitting on Lunardis Bubble won’t be a pushover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And neither will the Cornhuskers that are playing for pride and looking
to ruin someone’s seed or season</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What’s scary to me right now
is that a month ago I was looking at all these games as potential W’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Right now, I see them as 50-50 based on the
way Michigan is playing (especially on the road where they can’t seem to find
the rim)</i></b> and somehow their defense completely falls off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3 at home, 3 on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan is in the hunt for a 1-seed if they
can somehow go 6-0.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, that
seems like a tall order</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t have a prediction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to see
how they come out Saturday against Maryland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sparty is playing better even
though Langford is gone for the season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yes,
they’re still the turnover machine they’ve come to be but they’re finding ways
to win</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The visit to Maryland
won’t be fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re playing good
basketball right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And Michigan needs to find
that form they had a month ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still
think they can do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just a matter
of finding their rhythm</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And having impartial Referees.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">IRONY IS A Funny Thing…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If you haven’t been paying
attention<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, there’s been quite a few coaches that were canned by some
universities that are now rocking it at their new homes.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe hoops coaches need a little extra time
sometimes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Rick Barnes, the former coach
at Texas who is now the HC at Tennessee that has his team ready to win an SEC
Championship and has a very real chance to make a run at a National Title.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think Texas has Shaka Smart regrets?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You bet they do…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Bruce Weber:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fired from Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now at K-State and has them in the lead of
the Big 12.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Illinois has had two coaches since Weber and
while Underwood is still there, his ground is shaky…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Kelvin Sampson:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fired from Indiana</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, has <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Houston perched atop the AAC and looking to
storm the 1-See line if they can win out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Phi-Slamma-Jamma</i></b> signs have started appearing…Indiana has had
two coaches (Crean and Miller) and haven’t even come close to sniffing a 2<sup>nd</sup>
weekend NCAA Tourney game…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Brian Gregory:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fired from Georgia Tech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now has South Florida at 17-6 and with a shot
to win the Conference Tourney and get an NCAA Autobid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Georgia Tech:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Doing worse than the football team with 0 NCAA appearances</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">BUBBLE WATCH</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Still a little early, but look
for me to get back to this in a week or so….</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The GOAT Gets His 6<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><sup><br /></sup></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I know were a long time past
Super Bowl Post comments, but I can’t resist pointing out TB12’s 6<sup>th</sup>
Ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This should end any and all
debates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4-time MVP winning 6 Superbowl
Rings</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you could
argue that he was the MVP Sunday throwing those passes to the MVP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I loved listening to all the doubters
and haters last week moaning and complaining about Brady and the Pats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, somehow, if I wasn’t a Brady fan,
this would be Bama for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I get
where you’re coming from if you can’t stand him or the Pats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">To which I say:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beat Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There’s more parody in the NFL than there is in the NCAA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somebody get you’re act together and do it</i></b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-55693398742806908692019-01-29T08:20:00.002-08:002019-01-29T08:26:50.835-08:00IU, The Gophers and THE STU Preview<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Indiana Highlights!</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I should say <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">MICHIGAN
HIGHLIGHTS AT INDIANA!</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media;
gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ca6fbY2ha9w" width="600"></iframe><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Michigan wins 69-46.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it wasn’t that close!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So, this <i><b>Text exchange went
down on Friday: </b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">SuperFan:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have assured our
victory by the placing of two wagers via 5Dimes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m even wearing the ring of death (which I
will remove at the half if necessary!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GO
BLUE!!!”</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">MMQ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Should be easy tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody out at Indiana.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">SF:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“what?”</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">MMQ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everyone is either suspended or hurt.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their starting a 6<sup>th</sup> man bench
player.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">SF:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Since when?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am reading game previews from just hours
ago with no such commentary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Including
Maize and Brew.</i></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">MMQ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(When the score was 17-0)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are we gonna start listening soon?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">SF:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“IU is absolutely
horrible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And we’re only up 15!</i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">MMQ:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t handle the whining when Michigan is
winning</i></b>!!! (And literally DESTROYING IU in every aspect of the game)!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I get text exchanges like this
every once in a while from Michigan fans during games that bitch when they’re
team is doing good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be any
sport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan is crushing someone in
football, people want to know why they’re not passing more often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or why is the starter still in the game?</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Friday night as Brazdeikis took
the first shot of the night (it was a solid 3 that ripped the net) and I had a</i></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">flashback
to 2013-14 when EVERYONE KNEW that Nik Stauskas would be taking the first shot
of the game from the 3-point line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IF
Beilein is bringing THAT Tradition back,</i></b> I’m all for it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever Stauskas hit that initial bucket, I
felt really bad for whoever Michigan was playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That being said, Michigan
needed this game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They needed, as AP
would say, “A good Ole Fashion Ass-Kicking!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that’s just what Michigan handed IU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yeah, the Loosiers made an expected run, but Michigan’s D quashed that
nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they got back up 20, I
think everyone knew it was over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Michigan had never won at
Assembly Hall by that large of a margin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>EVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s saying something
about Michigan Basketball at this point in time</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> and
its also a statement about how bad IU is right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">IS this the end for Miller?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crean was run out with a better record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure why the fans like Miller more or
maybe they’ve reached the point that I think every fan of every sport begins to
realize when things aren’t going your way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes, you’ve just got bad luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bad Ju-Ju.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bad Karma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call it whatever you want, but right now, “It’s
your day in the bucket.”</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I had started to write up the
Gopher game but didn’t get a chance to post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we can segue into that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gopher HIGHLIGHTS!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media;
gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FXHoYOnUf7g" width="600"></iframe><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So that’s what winning a tight
game feels like!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And I have a feeling we’re
going to see more tight games as this season progresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teams have figure out what Michigan is doing
on both ends of the floor and are better able to beat the defense and also mess
up Michigan’s offensive rotations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Gophers did that pretty well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They
also challenged Simpson to beat them with the 3 which will always be a roller
coaster</i></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I watched a little more
closely and the Gophers more or less did the same thing Wiscy did to our
defense and Michigan didn’t do themselves any favors on offense<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,
shooting miserably from the 3-point line (3-22) and also from the foul line</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Get <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">those two percentages back up to
the season average and the game is a easy 12-15 point blow-out</i></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Anyway, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I read somewhere that the last
few practices have focused on shooting and technique.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a theory that all the shooting in
practice is making a lot of the longer threes during the games come up short
due to short term fatigue as the muscles are being trained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a hunch that after a short rest, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">muscle
memory will be “Right there” and the 3-pointers will start dropping again</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One good game and the confidence will be
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heading into February’s stretch
run and into March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Unfortunately, going down to
Bloomington this Friday may not provide the EXACT environment that Michigan
needs for that to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The PREDICTIVE STATS!</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Team<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Date<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Day<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Torvik Prediction <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Result<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-19<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>64-60<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>L <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>64-54<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-22<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>75-60<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>59-57<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ IU<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>1-25<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Friday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>70-63<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>69-46<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE STU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-29<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>69-58<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Iowa<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-1<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Friday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>73-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Rutgers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-5<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
69-57<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>2-9<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 67-57<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ PSU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 67-58<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-16<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
73-62<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-21<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thursday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
71-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-24<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 72-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nebraska<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-28<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thursday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>71-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-3<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>69-66<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-9<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>L<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>72-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE STU is in town tonight for
the only meeting that Michigan and THE STU</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> have
on the hardwood this season, pending a match-up in the B1G Tourney. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I updated the prediction above that didn’t
have the margin of victory changing, but it did have Michigan and THE STU
dropping by a point each. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">THE STU team that went on the
road to Rutgers and lost.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
a feeling Michigan is going to bring back some really good Ju-Ju from Indiana
and their might be another good ole fashion ass-kicking happening on the
hardwood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE STU had lost 5 straight
right up until their last “Desperation Game!” at Lincoln and there they managed
to post a 10 point victory over Mile's Huskers</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How they managed that I’ll never know as they
have looked like crap since their loss to LNU way back in early January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think they can put together two games
in a row and their PPP is not very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’m not expecting THE STU to
pull a rabbit out of the hat and the Crisler Fans will be rocking the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Have fun with that!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Speaking of LNU:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This happened on Sunday:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Purdue defeats LNU!!!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point in time, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Purdue was ahead of LNU by 22
points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was kind of over at that
point even though the LNU courageously fought back to get to within 4</i></b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they just plain ole ran out of gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3 games in 6 days with 2 on the road and the
last one at West Lafayette is called, “Bad Scheduling!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’d like to thank the LNU AD
for that. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That puts <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan back into the B1G Title
regular season race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The game on the 24<sup>th</sup>
is looming larger in the distance</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Can The GOAT Do It One More Time?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’ve been listening to a lot
of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">same people that claimed that the Patriots would never beat Mahomes and
the Chiefs now claim that there’s no way they can beat the Rams</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Where do these <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">people
get their information?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It cracks me up
to watch and listen to people justify their position and I listen intently and
let them finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I ask if they’d
like to make a wager and I’ll take the Patriots.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just curl up into the fetal position and
suck their collective thumbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tom Brady and his success has
such a polarizing effect on people that it really is fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m glad I’m NOT a hater as I can see so
much more clearly how their emotions get in the way of logical thinking. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I believe <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sunday’s game is a proverbial
toss-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m always ready to bet a
50-50 game if I have a guy or a team playing that I like</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet so many people will just bitch and state
how Brady and the Pats shouldn’t win but are afraid to put up some dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To all of you out there (if this fits you): <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Keep it to yourself unless you
want to put some scratch on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-50519667229285381012019-01-22T13:41:00.001-08:002019-01-22T13:41:33.441-08:00Gopher Pre-View and The Mailbag...<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Saturday Was SOOOO BAD….</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><i><b>How Bad Was It?</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">From Maize and Brew:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com/basketball/2019/1/22/18190584/stat-watch-games-like-wisconsin-happen-even-with-beileins-best-offenses-michigan-basketball">https://www.maizenbrew.com/basketball/2019/1/22/18190584/stat-watch-games-like-wisconsin-happen-even-with-beileins-best-offenses-michigan-basketball</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">The
statistical carnage from Saturday in Wisconsin is admittedly startling.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">The
offense scuffled mightily in Michigan’s 64-54 road loss to the Badgers. In
particular:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">The Wolverines
scored <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.82</span> points
per possession, which is <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.32</span> lower
than their season average.<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">They shot <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">47.2</span> percent on twos (nearly
six percentage points lower than their average) and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">27.8</span> percent on threes
(nearly nine percentage points lower).<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">16</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"> turnovers,
which occurred on <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">24.2</span> percent
of possessions. This is nearly 10(!) percentage points higher than normal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If you click the link, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dodge
pulls out additional games over the past seasons where Michigan turned in a
clunker of a game</i></b>, against some very unworthy competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then they would come out the following
game and destroy their next opponent…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">These guys aren’t pros (even
though <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ve seen pro teams do the EXACT SAME THING!</i></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">They’re 18-22 young adults
that again, had an off day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now
Beilein gets a couple of days to coach them up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So, again, I’m not terribly
worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Beilein System has produced
a dud like this JUST ABOUT EACH AND EVERY Season</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.
Frustrating, absolutely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">glad
it happened on the road at the Troll Center?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You betch- well, no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not GLAD
about it but I can LIVE with it.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And finally, what is the prognostication for tonight for the Gophers? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope;
picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DJnKm6ftPu0" width="600"></iframe><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">PAIN!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I pity the fools!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">MAILBAG<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">SuperFan complained that I
didn’t address his main issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, here
goes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">WE
DID NOT NEED TO LOSE THIS GAME. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Agreed – but Michigan did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they’ll learn from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, all I care about are 6 games at
the end of March and the beginning of April…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">For
the first time this season we played STUPID; and I mean from the coaches down
to the players. We passed up MANY open 3s early in the clock while
attempting many reluctant and challenged ones. We gave up MANY open 3
looks (many which were missed, but not enough) due the compulsion to double
team, and committed several stupid fouls, 2 feet from the basket. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">See the 18-22 year old comment
above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I do believe the early
start was some of what you saw on the floor at the Troll Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that place is the screwiest place on
Earth when it comes to getting calls, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Simpson
just went into super-stupid mode at the end of the game, getting fed the ball
by wisky when he had Poole ALL ALONE for a 3 when we really needed a 3.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">ALSO,
is Matthews really traveling, or is he just so fast they think he is? If
he really is traveling, can't we get that fixed!!! If not, he needs more
bench time. He is not having a great year thus far, and he seems to be
getting worse as the season goes on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Matthews and Simpson have had games
like that before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t sweat it
yet, but I will say this: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan is in
DESPERATE NEED of an offensive <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Take
Charge” guy right now</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year it
seemed like MAAR was the “Guy” and could take you home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poole, Matthews or Simpson need to figure out
how to win a game on their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">AND
WHAT IS WITH EVERYBODY, and I mean everybody, missing
short......consistently. Nearly every bad miss is short, almost never
long. When everybody is missing short over many games this must be some
sort of coaching problem??? Free throws too</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m guessing that will be
corrected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan always improves on
offense going through the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
haven’t seen anything to indicate that is changing this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">From
Special K:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Is Brady the GOAT of all GOATS?
As a Michigan Fan I say YES. However, I think strong consideration would
be another Boston athlete – Bill Russell. In my book, he may slightly win
the competition. In 13 seasons:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Russell and the Celtics won 11 NBA
Championships.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">He was also the Coach/Player after
Auerbach retired when he won his 10<sup>th</sup> and 11<sup>th</sup>
Championship with the Celtics<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">He went to 12 All-Star Games. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">He was also named MVP of the league 5
times. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">He had countless awards for top
rebounder, top defender and made several Second Team All-NBA.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">On top of that he won 2 NCAA Titles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-highlight: yellow;">It’s always fun to compare, and
impossible to win the argument</span></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bill Russell and the Celtics have
ALWAYS been part of the dynasty teams I bring up during this discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The argument is certainly understandable, but
the longevity of Brady’s accomplishments puts him ever so slightly ahead of
Russell in my book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s call them 1 A
& B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-21317987375480569542019-01-21T08:52:00.001-08:002019-01-21T08:52:15.950-08:00Wiscy Loss - Mailbag - The GOAT<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It Was Going To Be Hard To Win
Them All</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Michigan was one of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6
ranked teams that went down over the weekend to unranked (LOUSY) opponents</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome to the grind of conference play in
College Hoops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But when you have 1<sup>st</sup>
half trouble with arguably you’re two best big men (Teske – Brazdeikis) and Mattheews
can’t hit a shot to save their life, well…bad things are going to happen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t remember the last time Michigan was
held to 54 points in a Hoops game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It’s an anomaly</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A complete Anomaly… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A fluke that happens on occasion
in every season if you watch enough basketball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How did a <i><b>5-12 Illini team hang 95 points on Minnesota?</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There’s going to be off nights…and
off mornings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Wiscy game started at
11:00 AM Local time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And I really think <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan
is more of a late afternoon or night team.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to think of this loss as the “much
needed” loss that will wake Michigan up to the fact that they are not in-vulnerable
and they need to focus on every game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But it’s not a reason to panic!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, some of you did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">From SuperFan:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;">I’M FURIOS AND DEPRESSED!</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">I
remain so and I will explain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
WILL lose a game because two or more guys on the opposing team have career
nights, where they make one ridiculous shot after another.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
WILL lose a game when our well chosen, high quality shots just won't fall.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">WE
DID NOT NEED TO LOSE THIS GAME, as neither of those things happened. For
the first time this season we played STUPID; and I mean from the coaches down
to the players. We passed up MANY open 3s early in the clock while
attempting many reluctant and challenged ones. We gave up MANY open 3
looks (many which were missed, but not enough) due the compulsion to double
team, and committed several stupid fouls, 2 feet from the basket. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Simpson
just went into super-stupid mode at the end of the game, getting fed the ball
by wisky when he had Poole ALL ALONE for a 3 when we really needed a 3.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">ALSO,
is Matthews really traveling, or is he just so fast they think he is? If
he really is traveling, can't we get that fixed!!! If not, he needs more
bench time. He is not having a great year thus far, and he seems to be
getting worse as the season goes on.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">AND
WHAT IS WITH EVERYBODY, and I mean everybody, missing
short......consistently. Nearly every bad miss is short, almost never
long. When everybody is missing short over many games this must be some
sort of coaching problem??? Free throws too</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Again,
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan
still has 17 wins on the season</i></b> and will win again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tap
the brakes…Tap the Brakes…</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The PREDICTIVE STATS!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And every time I get a bright
idea it seems to work out that it was a bad idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I’ll keep this going until I think it’s
somehow screwing things up…</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Team<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Date<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Day<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Torvik Prediction <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Result<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-19<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>64-60<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>L 64-54<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-22<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>75-60<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ IU<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>1-25<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Friday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>70-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE STU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-29<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>70-59<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Iowa<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-1<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Friday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>73-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Rutgers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-5<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
69-57<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>2-9<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 67-57<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ PSU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 67-58<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-16<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
73-62<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-21<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thursday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
71-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-24<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 72-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nebraska<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-28<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thursday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>71-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-3<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>69-66<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-9<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>L<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>72-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The GOAT – UNF^&*CKING BELIEVABLE
BRO!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media;
gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFfkdjO_LcY" width="600"></iframe><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You know what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When you’re going to your record 9<sup>th</sup>
Superbowl, I’ll forgive you for dropping an F-bomb on National TV after completing three 3rd and 10 passes and winning in OT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone that’s losing their minds over that
F-Bomb Drop – Get over yourselves</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’ve written about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Touchdown
Tommy’s accomplishments on many occasions and I’m tired of arguing with anyone
who claims he’s not the “Greatest”. </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m not even talking NFL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m talking all professional sports
combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Better than Tiger, James, Jordan
or whatever other name you want to throw out there.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">There’s just NO ONE that’s
done it with as much success or as long at TB12 has done it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">To put this in
perspective:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how
many people are still around from TB12’s his first Superbowl (36) 18 years ago
against the Rams?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meaning, how many
people have been there for the entire time at either organization?</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Brady and Belichick, of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And The Football Research
Director for the Pats:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ernie Adams.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In fact, Brady and Belichick
have been to twice as many Superbowls than any other QB/Coach combination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TWICE AS MANY.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rams don’t have ANYONE in their
organization that was there for SB 36.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rams have been through a 20 Head Coaches and QB’s combined. </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If you’re a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New
England hater, or worse, a TB12 hater (And I know you’re out there), you’re
really missing out on one of the most fun times in the history of the NFL</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t think there will be anyone
else ever in any sport that will accomplish what Belechick and Brady have
managed to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Even <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">baseball players don’t go 18
years anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basketball is too hard on
the knees</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tennis and Golf may
see a legend in the future, but for now, it’s Brady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hands Down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some Numbers:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">9 Superbowls<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">5 Superbowl Championships<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">9 AFC Championships<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">14 Pro Bowls<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">70,000 passing yards<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">97.6% QB Rating – lifetime (98%
Superbowl QB Rating)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE GREATEST EVER COMEBACK IN
SUPER BOWL HISTORY!!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(sorry Atlanta fans)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I could go on but I think you
get it…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nope, I won’t be listening if
you want to have the debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I’ll
knock you down several rungs in the intelligence department if you even want to
begin the debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">TB12 is the GOAT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That is all…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And I really hope New England
wins so Brady can start with rings on the other hand!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-80343899047622981782019-01-17T07:58:00.001-08:002019-01-17T07:58:16.658-08:00Predictions - Mailbag - Engler<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hawkins/Charboneau Project 2
B1G Teams at 15-1</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Through 16 B1G Games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Those 2 teams collide in Ann
Arbor on February 24<sup>th</sup> in what will more than likely be an epic
game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/big-ten/2019/01/15/prediction-michigan-state-michigan-both-15-1-big-ten-when-they-play-first-time-feb-24/2583223002/">https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/big-ten/2019/01/15/prediction-michigan-state-michigan-both-15-1-big-ten-when-they-play-first-time-feb-24/2583223002/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan will really need to win that
contest to have any hopes of clinching a B1G Title</i></b> for the regular
season kind of goes without saying. Which games does Matt have Michigan and The
LNU losing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charboneau predicts <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LNU
goes down first to Nebraska (Torvik Prediction:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>76-75 LNU Wins). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nebraska’s
REALLY HOT right now and shooting the lights out</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expect that to be a pretty good game as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Hawkins, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan escapes this weekend up
in Madison but falters in a couple of weeks at Assembly Hall</i></b> in
Bloomington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can’t say I disagree
with either prediction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What he leaves out is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who
wins at Crisler!</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LNU has
been playing very well offensively, but still has turnover problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">IF that isn’t fixed by the time they go to
Ann Arbor, I like the Wolverines chances.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s not a biased opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an observation of fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And should Michigan win in Crisler, in two
weeks, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’ll be a pressure filled revenge game in East Lansing for a possible
B1G Title outright!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan has LNU’s
number right now</i></b> and the LNU knows it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Should be a fun February and
March…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Beilein On The Sidelines<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">From Mgoblog.com:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .2in;">
<b><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Beilein on the sideline.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"> Illinois puts the media right behind the coaches,
which I wish Michigan still did. This is probably not a good idea when you have
a ragebot like Izzo or Huggins, but I think you can deal with the fallout from
listening to Beilein mid-game. Brendan Quinn did for the Athletic and <a href="https://theathletic.com/762361/2019/01/11/being-john-beilein-one-game-through-the-eyes-of-the-coach/"><span style="color: #024794;">came back with an excellent story</span></a>:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">6:35 —</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"> Poole
again wants a 3. It’s early in the shot clock after a second-chance offensive
rebound. Michigan can eat some clock and run its offense. Instead, Poole,
standing on the wing with a defender at arm’s length, spontaneously decides to
chuck a 3, barely drawing iron. The possession comes up empty and Beilein
throws his arms in the air, pacing. “Stupid!” he yells at Poole. “JP, that’s a
stupid shot! Why?!” Poole extends one arm and hand out, replying, “Relax!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Beilein: “No. That’s
stupid!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Poole: “Relax!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Beilein: “Don’t tell me
to relax!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Poole walks down the
floor. Beilein takes a step out onto the court, still yelling. Matthews
interjects, telling Beilein he’ll dial Poole down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">“It’s cool,” Matthews
says. “I got ’em.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Beilein, pointing at
Poole, responds to Matthews, “Tell him to get over himself and play some
defense!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">This is not "I WILL
EAT YOUR FAMILY IF YOU TAKE ANOTHER SHOT LIKE THAT," which I assume is one
of the milder things you'd overhear Izzo say during a typical game.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Rest of the Season</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">How’s this for a Chart? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gba1WAEpwec/XECluUjh59I/AAAAAAAAEnA/NGKwWWDif3oddZs2-KJCf0vtwiqXNttjwCLcBGAs/s1600/PPF%2BPPA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1506" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gba1WAEpwec/XECluUjh59I/AAAAAAAAEnA/NGKwWWDif3oddZs2-KJCf0vtwiqXNttjwCLcBGAs/s640/PPF%2BPPA.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">B1G Efficiency – All Teams
thru 16-17 games<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The PREDICTIVE STATS!</span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Torvik still loves Michigan at
#2, especially when you slice the data. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Virginia jumped Michigan after
Tuesday’s games</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Katz
of NCAA.COM has Michigan at number 1</i></b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ESPN has Michigan, Tennessee and
Virginia 1,2 and 3.</i></b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to
admit, as a Stats junky, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I feel like a kid on Christmas Morning
whenever I visit Torvik’s website</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s so much out there you can do and look at!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I really like this particular feature:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Four Factor Team Trends:</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://barttorvik.com/trends.php?y=2019&team=Michigan&type=adjo">http://barttorvik.com/trends.php?y=2019&team=Michigan&type=adjo</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You can select any stat you
want to see how your teams doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
happened to pick and copy <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Adj. Offense here as this is where Michigan sucks</i></b>
in Kenpom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yep, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan is on the right
track!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Improving!</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Play around on the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you’ll have fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From the Team Bubbles Page:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it stands: the B1G has 7-8 teams in with
IU and the Gophers on the bubble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Kenpom still has Michigan far
below the LNU</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> due to those crappy teams Michigan played and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their
adjusted offense based on those games</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Michigan just doesn’t play up for everyone, of that I’m convinced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m not sure there’s enough games in the
regular season to get them “up” in Kenpom, even if they win them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This is gonna be fun to track
for the rest of the season!!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Team<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Date<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Day<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Torvik
Prediction <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Result<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-19<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>64-60<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-22<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>75-60<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ IU<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>1-25<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Friday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>70-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE STU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-29<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>70-59<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Iowa<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-1<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Friday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>73-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Rutgers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-5<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
69-57<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>2-9<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 67-57<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ PSU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-12<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Tuesday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 67-58<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-16<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W
73-62<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-21<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thursday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 71-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-24<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W 72-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nebraska<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-28<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thursday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>71-63<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-3<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Sunday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>W<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>69-66<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-9<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Saturday<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>L<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>72-68<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So, I was stuck in training
and decided to look ahead using the<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Torvik Game Cast Predictor that predicts
the rest of the season’s games based on current stats.</b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The ONLY GAME Torvik has Michigan losing is
the last game of the season in East Lansing</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depending on how the LNU has done and if it’s
for all the marbles, well, Michigan is ready for that kind of game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was trying to put all this together and try
to “see” where there might be other traps that Michigan could be facing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ANY PLACE WITH A 4 point spread or less
could easily be a loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, there’s 4 of
those on the schedule, and one 5 pointer (wiscy) that’s iffy.</i></b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both LNU games should be close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Maryland game before going to the LNU
will also be a trap game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll be fun
to see how close Torvik is for the rest of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Mailbag<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Duke goes Down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To an unranked
Syracuse team!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AT HOME!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does Michigan move up to the 1 spot?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You know, the whole number 1
thing in College Hoops is a bit irrelevant if you ask me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to look at the stats (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kenpom
and Torvik</i></b>) and I like to see how the team has done in their last 10
games to see if they’re getting better or worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan has slipped in the last 10, but B1G
Schedule re-set is to be expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll
look again after there’s 10 games in the B1G complete and some additional games
in the rear window</i></b>)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basketball
is a momo game and where you rank in March isn’t nearly as important as to
where you rank come the first Monday night in April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if Michigan gets to the number 1 Spot next
Monday, I will let out a little “whoopee” and move on with life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Dickie V is getting on my nerves this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should he hang it up?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Not sure which game you
watched, but I have to admit that the Duke – FSU game on Saturday really had
Dickie in rare form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can’t stay
unbiased about Duke and that game was classic Duke with a last second 3-pointer
to win it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit that I was
getting a little annoyed with Dickie near the end of the game as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Engler Out…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Engler was potentially a worse
President than Lou-Anna K Simon was…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I didn’t believe it was
possible, but Engler’s bumbling of the LNU situation and the victim’s rights
and how he proclaimed earlier this week that the victims were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“basking
in the spotlight of their monetary awards” and the rest of LNU was “Trying to
get back to work.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Engler, do yourself a
favor and just stop talking</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
obviously don’t get what’s happened or what is still happening when it comes to
this issue and your ignorance is showing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe ignorance is the wrong word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blunt obtuseness or disregard for feelings
is more like it. I don’t think any of the victims are “basking in the glow” of
their monetary settlements.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Juuuuust a hunch…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But the man finally did the
right thing and resigned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long overdue…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-49090726908190032052019-01-14T08:00:00.000-08:002019-01-14T08:00:16.462-08:00That Was Easy - And I Know They're Going to Lose At Some Point...<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">17-0!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Program Record!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media;
gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/anFzbP9s1_4" width="600"></iframe><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">14 games to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Michigan is perfect through
the half way point of the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The most amazing part about
this run is that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan hasn’t really struggled (Michigan opened the game last night
on a 10-0 scoring run).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, there was
a close game up in Evanston against this same team they played last night about
a month ago</i></b>, but even then, it wasn’t as much of a struggle as it was a
slog against a team that simply wouldn’t go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kind of like one of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">those annoying gnats that show up
and you can’t quite slap your hands together at the right time to kill the
little f@#$%cke</i></b>r.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Kind of like that…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This team doesn’t even make
you nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time they
trailed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 games ago against IU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that wasn’t even an issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Heart Attack Kids I wrote about over the
last couple of seasons going back to 2013 would have their scoring droughts and
the opponent would come back and get to within single digits</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This team is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just hammers their opponents into
submission on the defensive end while they keep going at them offensively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Oh, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you’re going to let Teske shoot
an unchallenged 3-pointer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Screw you</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Same with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">X?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just cause he couldn’t shoot last
season?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right in your face, BUD! And I'm going to write an entire post about that Sky-Hook!!!!</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This team has an attitude and
an ability unlike anything I’ve ever seen in Ann Arbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some players that could play
DEFENSE that have been through Ann Arbor in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gary Grant immediately comes to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>Zack Novak and Manny Harris were defensive
threats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Burke could shut guys
down</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those were individual
efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But when was the last time
Michigan had 5 guys on the floor that could literally shut down an entire
offense playing man to man?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Have they ever been able to do
that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">JB has always had offenses
that were better than advertised. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2013’s
roster had (has) 4 NBA players on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All Starters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They led the nation
nearly the entire season in Points Per Possession</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet no one respected Michigan because they
could score on you at will, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BUT THEY COULDN’T PLAY DEFENSE!!! </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, not only are they going to score on you,
but they’re going to make trying to run your offense a living hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, Northwestern was without their
number 1 player (Law) as he was out with an injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this game was practically over in the 1<sup>st</sup>
half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan started out hot and only
got better as the half closed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
a little over 2 minutes left, Michigan scored 10 unanswered points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teske, Teske, Matthews and Simpson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But how did they manage the unanswered run? <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">DEFENSE!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">They say that in all sports,
but especially hoops, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how you finish the last 5 minutes of the 1<sup>st</sup>
half and how you start the first 5 minutes of the 2<sup>nd</sup> half are the
most important 10</i></b> minutes of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Michigan proved last night
that they aren’t just nodding to that stat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are TAKING IT AND MAKING A STATEMENT!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I know this team is going to
lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s simply too hard to win them
all in Hoops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, UCLA in the 70’s and
Indiana in ‘76.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And UNLV had a helluva’
run</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sooner or
later, someone is going to find a way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just don’t know who or HOW they’ll find a way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Northwestern was the 2<sup>nd</sup>
easiest game left on the schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Minnesota is the #1 easiest game left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rest of the 14 games remaining on the schedule looks like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Team<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Date<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-19<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-22<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ IU<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>1-25<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">THE STU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1-29<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Iowa<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-1<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Rutgers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-5<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wiscy<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>2-9<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ PSU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-12<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-16<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Gophers<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-21<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-24<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nebraska<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2-28<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ Maryland<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-3<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">@ The LNU<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3-9<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">8 road games against 5 teams that
are going to have a shot not only at the B1G Title but will be looking for NCAA
Tourney Seeding improvement (LNU, Maryland, Wiscy, IU and Iowa)</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assuming for a second that they split those 5
road games in some fashion and holds home court advantage, Michigan is looking
at 3-4 losses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">end of February and beginning of
March are looking mighty important at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan hasn’t won a B1G Title (regular
season) since they shared it in 2013</i></b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JB is due for a Title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michigan is DUE for a B1G Title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B1G Tourney Championships are nice but this
team deserves a Regular Season Title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The LNU is playing well also and they are getting better as they move
through their season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turnovers are
still a problem, but the IZZO is going to have them fix that problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">– the B1G Title is going through Ann Arbor
and East Lansing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">May the best Team Win!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Mailbag<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;">Dude – The game against the Illini was at Illinois!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You said it was at Crisler?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WTF?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">My apologies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I saw that the Illini was at
Crisler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never the less, that was a good
game and a good road test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;">What about this OC hire?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that
a good move?</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/1/10/football-josh-gattis-named-michigans-sanford-robertson-offensive-coordinator.aspx">https://mgoblue.com/news/2019/1/10/football-josh-gattis-named-michigans-sanford-robertson-offensive-coordinator.aspx</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This all seemed very weird
that 3 hours before Michigan announced him as their new OC, he was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hired
as the Maryland Head Coach</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
not sure how all this went down and I’ve been watching the boards and Sam Webb’s
Twitter for additional details as to what transpired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But to answer the
question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Josh Gattis a good
hire?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, the best answer I
have is I think so<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was with Moorehead at PSU
and then led the most productive receiving corps EVER for Alabama last season</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with the plethora of receivers Michigan
has in their stable, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m going to assume Harbaugh targeted this
guy for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similar to the Don
Brown hire when Michigan had a ton of guys on Defense that needed to be broken
down and built back up</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3665945255620498642.post-72165655397457975972019-01-10T09:24:00.000-08:002019-01-10T09:24:52.877-08:00Illini at Crisler and The Mailbag<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And Then There Were 2…</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If you’ve been following hoops
this season, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you know that Michigan and Virginia are the only two undefeated teams
left out of the Power 5 conferences.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While that doesn’t mean much (Remember – <b><i>Virgina lost as a 1-Seed to the 16-Seed University of Maryland Back-Up College</i></b> in last years Tourney!), Michigan’s
record is actually better than advertised when you consider that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan
has dominated the ranked teams that they have played.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s peek at Ken-Pom and Torvik for a little
insight as to how well Michigan is actually doing (link to Bart Torvik’s
Ranking Page below):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.barttorvik.com/?year=2019&sort=&lastx=0&hteam=&conlimit=All&state=All&begin=20181101&end=20190501&top=&quad=4&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#">http://www.barttorvik.com/?year=2019&sort=&lastx=0&hteam=&conlimit=All&state=All&begin=20181101&end=20190501&top=&quad=4&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2JiyzZg1ZA/XDd-SPzcLGI/AAAAAAAAEms/dCNM6W1XBoYfWD4jNdnk927w55ZVmfhXACLcBGAs/s1600/torvik%2B50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1244" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2JiyzZg1ZA/XDd-SPzcLGI/AAAAAAAAEms/dCNM6W1XBoYfWD4jNdnk927w55ZVmfhXACLcBGAs/s640/torvik%2B50.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1I5SRXB7g7Q/XDd-TWbb8AI/AAAAAAAAEmw/t3D0-RAnU9AYfcmJVItcy8BMfsfDyyc3gCLcBGAs/s1600/kenpom%2B10Jan2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="891" height="274" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1I5SRXB7g7Q/XDd-TWbb8AI/AAAAAAAAEmw/t3D0-RAnU9AYfcmJVItcy8BMfsfDyyc3gCLcBGAs/s640/kenpom%2B10Jan2019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Michigan in Kenpom is taking
all the games into consideration and Michigan didn’t play well when they faced
several of the worst ranked (greater than 200) teams in Kenpom (Air Force, Binghamton,
etc)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I like about Torvik is you can
slice and dice the data.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you take <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Michigan
vs. Top 50 teams that they’ve played, and they’ve played 4 of those, Michigan
jumps to Number 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you slice it to
the top 100 teams, and they’ve played 7 of those, Michigan still hangs in at
number 1</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It’s only when you look at
everyone that Michigan slides down to number 3 in Torvik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, don’t worry too much about that Kenpom
rank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Torvik tells a better story when
Michigan is playing superior talent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
major, GLARING issue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Free Throw
Percentage!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe Michigan is
in a situation where it appears that Free Throws are going to become a thing</i></b>
that as fans, we’re going to need to sweat and worry about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sooner or later, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a game is going to come down to
the charity stripe and Michigan needs to improve in this area – quickly</i></b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If you’re a Negative Nelly –
another way <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to look at this data is that Michigan plays DOWN to the level of their
opponent</i></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So why all the stats?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, tonight could be problematic for the
Wolverines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Last year, I thought the Illini
were about a year away from being really good.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This season, they haven’t shown a whole lot
of improvement and in some ways, they’ve gotten worse. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, against all opponents, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Torvik
has the Illini ranked 73.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That puts the Illini out of
the NCAA Tourney as it stands, so the Illini need to start posting some B1G
Wins and soon</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Illini have nothing to lose at this point
and will pull out all the stops…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Another interesting
factoid:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">After The LNU and Michigan, the
other B1G teams that maybe have a chance are ranked down in the teens – Purdue,
Wiscy and Maryland</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Purdue (9-6)
was just destroyed at the LNU and Wiscy and Maryland have looked mediocre at
best. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">last week in February and 1<sup>st</sup>
week in March will probably decide the B1G Championship with games in East
Lansing and Ann Arbor</i></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Way too early look at the NCAA
TOURNEY</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> and the seed line projection<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lunardi has Michigan as a 1-seed
currently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kenpom projects Michigan
finishing a best record of 15-5 in the B1G and a worst record of 11-9</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 losses in the B1G MIGHT keep you on the
1-seed line, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I think Michigan would fall to a 2-Seed with 5 losses</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s independent of the B1G Tourney which,
in the past, hasn’t proven to have much sway with the committee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Conference Tourney Champions haven’t moved
up into the 1 or 2-Seed lines in the past, so I wouldn’t expect it this season,
either.</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Never the less, a high seed (4
or better) based on the early season results is probably within reach, even
with 6, 7 or 8 losses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I project that Michigan will be
looking at a difficult game up in the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Troll Center in Madison on January 19<sup>th</sup>.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up to that point, Michigan should roll…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Of course, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this
is college hoops and anything can and usually does happen!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The Mailbag<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A long and insightful note
from SuperFan:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Hi
MMQ,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">So
I embarked on a mission to document how bad Jimmy is doing and I convinced
myself otherwise. However, I can say definitively that he is getting
worse rather than better, so that is an indication that his ability to get good
players is nowhere near as good as one would think. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Jimmy's
first two seasons are his best. Let's recap season 1:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">A
7 pt loss @ Utah with several ints is not horrible.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Defeated
3 ranked teams decisively.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">The
loss to the slime was complete Bull shit. We won the game if not for the
most unlucky string of ball bounces AND terrible officiating. Jimmy does
deserve serious scorn for not going for the TD from the 3 in the 3rd qtr, but
otherwise he deserves no blame for that loss.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">A
3 pt win @ Minn and needing OT @ IU are not proud moments, but still Ws.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">A
12 pt W @ PSU is nothing to sneeze at.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
end with a weak effort against the suckeyes at home, but then we destroy F in
the bowl game. Basically, very hard to argue that wasn't a very
successful year, barring one bad rivalry game and one freakish fluke
accompanied by a horrible no call that would have countered the freakishness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Season
2:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Here
we have a 3-loss season; a 1 pt loss @ Iowa, a 3 pt double OT loss @ ohio, and
a 1 pt loss to a 10th ranked FSU in what was basically a home game for
them. BUT, the loss @ ohio was courtesy of the third most egregious
officiating screw jobs in M football history. Thus, like the slime loss
in season 1, this is really not a loss that can be hung on the coach.
Even without the screw-job, a 3 pt double OT loss to a top team in their house
is hardly something that can be deemed a failure in any way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">The
loss to FSU in the bowl game SEEMED so horrible because it was our second
consecutive loss AND because we looked like shit in the 1st qtr, down 17-3.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
beat the slime by 9 in their house, without the aid of freakishness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Season
3:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Here
is where things start going down-hill. Based on the results of his first
2 years, it seemed reasonable to expect a marked improvement in his third
season, BUT NO. However, we did have to play the #2 and #5 teams away,
both resulting in losses, one being a humiliation. We lost to both the
slime and the suckeyes at home AND had a 14 to zip lead on the suckeyes....AT
HOME; and ended up losing by 11, so that was a terrible collapse....AT
HOME! Then, to cap it off, we lost to SC in the bowl game, and looked
like crap doing it, even though it was only by 7.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Season
4:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">OK
M fans; this is our year. And it was.....UNTIL it wasn't. Yes the
ND loss no longer seems so bad, BUT we began the slow start trend that haunted
most of the rest of the games, falling behind 14-0 and 21-3.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
didn't score against SMU....SMU ....AT HOME....until 7 min remained in the 2nd
qtr.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
trailed NU 17-0.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Trailed
Maryland at home until 10 min remained in the 2nd qtr.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
beat the slime and Wisky with ease, but were scoreless in both 1st qtrs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
destroyed R, but our first score was in the last seconds of the 1st qtr.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">We
trailed IU (AT HOME) until 10 minutes to go in the 2nd qtr.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">And
then the ohio disaster; where we never led, scored with 41 seconds left in the
half and gave up a FG before the half. It was effectively a 30-point
loss, as our final TD was garbage time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Then
the destruction by F. The game was over by early in the 4th.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">So
it sure feels like his first two seasons were more successful than his last
two, which is very disturbing. We just look bad far too often on both
sides of the ball.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Had
we managed to just be competitive against the suckeyes and lost by less than
10, we would have had a real case that we were the better team over the entire
season, as their loss to P was FAR worse than our loss to them, and they had
several games where they looked horrible and barely won, whereas we only had
one near loss and a one score loss to ND at their house.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">Then
the F destruction to cap off the disgusting conclusion to what had been a very
good season, at least on paper if not from appearance. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">After
watching LSU, I really don't want to hear the excuse of top players sitting
out. If Jimmy was as good as we expected, we should have enough depth by
now to overcome these things, at least to the point of not looking pathetic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">So
how do we get to the next level? It sure sounds like Jimmy is getting a
rep that is going to make recruiting more difficult. And based on his
first 4 seasons, his results were better with Fred's (Hoke) players than with
his own???<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;">It
is all very perplexing and disturbing, from a trend standpoint, but I guess it
is also clear that three of the last four years were actually rather good
overall. I think that the timing of things is just very bad, in that it
is always painful to get worse and losing the last 2 games of every year
(except year 1), with several of those losses being embarrassments, makes the
losses more painful.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">SuperFan – This is a great
summary and very close to a compilation I was starting to put together.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I focused a little more on the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">QB
dilemma and tried to tie in the fact that in Harbaugh’s first two or three
seasons, he didn’t really have a QB</i></b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruddock developed tremendously in the first
season but was still arguably not a guy that was going to lead you to the
promised land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speight in 2016 showed so
much promise for the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
injury to Speight in Season 3 (2017) was critical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought Speight could have been something
special but 2017 was another disaster after Speight went down and I really
thought this year with Patterson would be better</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But First Season in a new (and somewhat
complicated) offense proved to be a test for Patterson at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can next year be different?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dunno…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I still think Michigan is recruiting better than just about everyone in the B1G with the exception of the STU. That may chance now that Mattison's gone...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I will say that the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NC
game this season (and in the past) have re-inforced a narrative that is BEDROCK
in NCAA Football:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a great QB,
you don’t have a even a whisper of a chance at winning the whole enchilada</i></b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I agree that the “trend” of
the last two seasons is disturbing<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Losing the last game by double digits is a major, major issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one that needs to be looked at </i></b>and
understood as to what exactly went wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So if Patterson isn’t the guy,
I agree with you<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next man up and let’s see who’s
ready to be the new gun-slinger in Ann Arbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>McCaffery or Milton – Whadaya’ got for us?</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />MMQhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01765579375769394794noreply@blogger.com0