Two Winners in Michigan

Posted by TD Lawlor on February 11th, 2009

After a 54-42 loss to Michigan State in Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor isn’t smiling this morning.  The reality of the Wolverines’ NCAA aspirations have rapidly vaporized in the swoon of seven losses in nine games and they now sport a 15-10 record.  No doubt, at the end of the night, losing to Tom Izzo and the mighty Spartans doesn’t feel good.  But, even in a loss, and perhaps in no game more than last night’s, Michigan’s winning transformation from the malaise of Tommy Amaker’s era was abundantly apparent. (more…)

Pat Forde Piles On Beilein & Miscellany

Posted by TD Lawlor on February 4th, 2009

ESPN’s Pat Forde’s a good read but his latest column for ESPN.com, in which he scolds Michigan basketball, is misguided.  Fronted by a tabloid-ready photo of a bleeding Chris Kramer, Forde piles on John Beilein suggesting, much as cohort Jay Bilas did earlier in the week, that Michigan hoops suffers from boorish behavior.  While it may garner more hits and revenue for ESPN, its disingenuous to equate the Zack Novack elbow to PJ Hill (for which Beilein took a clear and hard line) to the Manny Harris/Chris Kramer incident.  Elsewhere, Michigan State takes on the Gophers tonight… (more…)

Protect Your Home: Penn State and Illinois

Posted by TD Lawlor on January 20th, 2009

After blowing a home game against Ohio State this weekend, Michigan (13-5) heads into State College tonight to play Penn State (14-5). Both teams are tied at 3-3 in Conference and with February games looming against the top tier of the Big Ten, Penn State needs to protect the Bryce Jordan Center, which will be hopefully stuffed with Lions. Illinois, on the heels of a hard-fought loss to Michigan State, hosts Ohio State in yet another critical, tough game. (more…)

Big Ten Won’t Go Undefeated

Posted by TD Lawlor on November 24th, 2008

So it’s official.  On Friday night, Michigan was the first Big Ten team to fall, losing fair and square to Duke. They’ll get another crack at Duke in two weeks in Ann Arbor. Wisconsin could be the second conference team to stumble when they play No. 2 UConn tonight. After a weekend of football blow outs, Big Ten fans now turn their attention in earnest to basketball. (more…)

Coach Beilein Wins

Posted by TD Lawlor on November 21st, 2008

It means little and it all might end tonight when Michigan plays Duke, but through ten days of hoops and 27 games, the Big Ten is undefeated.  In Michigan’s win over Ben Howland’s young but talent-laden 4th ranked UCLA Bruins 55-52 last night in Madison Square Garden and in Illinois’ 69-63 win over Vanderbilt in Nashville, two Big Ten coaches served notice that last year’s numerous losses didn’t disguise impressive seasons of growth by their programs. (more…)