Molk rated Top 5 center by Kiper 
January, 18, 2012
Jan 18
12:44
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Former Michigan center and Rimington Trophy award winner David Molk is the lone Wolverine in the draft that made ESPN.com NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s first Top 5-by-position rankings leading up to the draft.
To show the Big Ten depth at the position -- he is one of three Michigan players in the top five in that group.
To show the Big Ten depth at the position -- he is one of three Michigan players in the top five in that group.
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Exit Interview: FB John McColgan
January, 18, 2012
Jan 18
11:07
AM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
"Exit Interview" is a feature at WolverineNation where we chat with departing seniors from the Michigan football and men's basketball programs about their time in Ann Arbor in a Q&A format.
Former Michigan fullback John McColgan walked on to the team before his freshman year under Lloyd Carr, didn't play until 2009 and was mostly a special teams player and a little-used fullback until this season, when the shift from the spread offense to a pro-style offense made him a more valuable part of the Michigan offense.
For his career, he caught two passes for 17 yards and a touchdown and had nine special teams tackles. Here's McColgan:
Former Michigan fullback John McColgan walked on to the team before his freshman year under Lloyd Carr, didn't play until 2009 and was mostly a special teams player and a little-used fullback until this season, when the shift from the spread offense to a pro-style offense made him a more valuable part of the Michigan offense.
For his career, he caught two passes for 17 yards and a touchdown and had nine special teams tackles. Here's McColgan:
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Former Michigan tight end Kevin Koger is one of two Wolverines in Florida this week to play in Saturday's East-West Shrine Game.
And so far, he's making a good impression.
And so far, he's making a good impression.
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Michigan basketball team is in the midst of its roughest stretch of the schedule, the football team is in the midst of its offseason, and the Wolverines’ former seniors are scattered around the country playing in All-Star games.
Plus, there are already questions about the starting lineup Michigan basketball will field next season, when John Beilein’s best-ever recruiting class arrives at Michigan.
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Green guarantees win in Round 2
January, 17, 2012
Jan 17
11:32
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Slumped in a leather chair in the old Michigan locker room inside the Crisler Center late Tuesday night, Draymond Green was the last Michigan State player to take off his jersey.
He was the last to make it into the showers, too. He takes the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry more personally than most, plays with more heart and passion than most. So after the No. 19 Wolverines knocked off his ninth-ranked Spartans, the senior vowed not to let it happen again as Michigan has won three straight in the series.
"They won three. Before that, how many how had they won?" Green said. "They got their little three, but they come to East Lansing in a few weeks.
He was the last to make it into the showers, too. He takes the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry more personally than most, plays with more heart and passion than most. So after the No. 19 Wolverines knocked off his ninth-ranked Spartans, the senior vowed not to let it happen again as Michigan has won three straight in the series.
"They won three. Before that, how many how had they won?" Green said. "They got their little three, but they come to East Lansing in a few weeks.
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Michigan's defense steps up in victory
January, 17, 2012
Jan 17
11:29
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
It's a good sign when any college basketball team is in company with the Duke men's basketball team.
And for Michigan coach John Beilein, his team is. The Wolverines and Blue Devils are the only two teams that have held Michigan State to less than 60 points this season.
The Wolverines stuck to mainly man-to-man defense in their 60-59 win over the Spartans on Tuesday night. Early in the game, Michigan switched into Beilein's 1-3-1 zone, and Michigan State senior forward Draymond Green sunk a 3-pointer from the left baseline. Later in the first half, Michigan switched from man-to-man into a zone midway through a possession and again the Spartans drained a triple.
And for Michigan coach John Beilein, his team is. The Wolverines and Blue Devils are the only two teams that have held Michigan State to less than 60 points this season.
The Wolverines stuck to mainly man-to-man defense in their 60-59 win over the Spartans on Tuesday night. Early in the game, Michigan switched into Beilein's 1-3-1 zone, and Michigan State senior forward Draymond Green sunk a 3-pointer from the left baseline. Later in the first half, Michigan switched from man-to-man into a zone midway through a possession and again the Spartans drained a triple.
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3-pointers vs. No. 9 Michigan State
January, 17, 2012
Jan 17
10:26
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Despite a poor showing at Iowa last weekend, the No. 19 Michigan basketball team kept to its goal of staying undefeated at home as it beat No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday night, 60-59.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said the Spartans "did enough things to lose the game." And they did, but their stats didn't show it. The Spartans shot 48 percent from the field and outrebounded the Wolverines 31-18. They had multiple chances to win the game on the final possession.
But, at the end of the day, the Wolverines did just enough to pull off the win.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said the Spartans "did enough things to lose the game." And they did, but their stats didn't show it. The Spartans shot 48 percent from the field and outrebounded the Wolverines 31-18. They had multiple chances to win the game on the final possession.
But, at the end of the day, the Wolverines did just enough to pull off the win.
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Instant Analysis: Michigan 60, MSU 59 F
January, 17, 2012
Jan 17
8:57
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Here are some quick thoughts following No. 19 Michigan's 60-59 win over No. 9 Michigan State.
Turning point: Trey Burke grabbed a long rebound off a Keith Appling miss, drove the court and dished the ball to Stu Douglass for a layup and a 60-59 lead, which would be the final margin. It was the final twist for a back-and-forth game that saw both teams lead and saw the Spartans come back from a double-digit deficit.
Player of the game: Burke. The freshman carried Michigan on Tuesday night. He scored a game-high 20 points, but more than anything else, he controlled the pace of play for both teams. He also drove smartly and took tough shots -- including a quick 26-foot 3-pointer to tie the game at 52-52 with 5:28 left. This was the game where he went from an option for the Wolverines to the first option.
Unsung hero of the game: Michigan senior guard Stu Douglass. His stat sheet wasn't huge, but he scored nine points, made the game-winning basket and is the calming influence for Michigan's budding star in Burke. Also, he had his first start of the season tonight.
What it means: Michigan has now beaten Michigan State three straight times -- the first time that has happened since a five-game win streak from 1996 to '98. It also might turn the tide in a rivalry that had been majorly one-sided for Michigan State. It also gives the Wolverines a signature win for March in January.
Turning point: Trey Burke grabbed a long rebound off a Keith Appling miss, drove the court and dished the ball to Stu Douglass for a layup and a 60-59 lead, which would be the final margin. It was the final twist for a back-and-forth game that saw both teams lead and saw the Spartans come back from a double-digit deficit.
Player of the game: Burke. The freshman carried Michigan on Tuesday night. He scored a game-high 20 points, but more than anything else, he controlled the pace of play for both teams. He also drove smartly and took tough shots -- including a quick 26-foot 3-pointer to tie the game at 52-52 with 5:28 left. This was the game where he went from an option for the Wolverines to the first option.
Unsung hero of the game: Michigan senior guard Stu Douglass. His stat sheet wasn't huge, but he scored nine points, made the game-winning basket and is the calming influence for Michigan's budding star in Burke. Also, he had his first start of the season tonight.
What it means: Michigan has now beaten Michigan State three straight times -- the first time that has happened since a five-game win streak from 1996 to '98. It also might turn the tide in a rivalry that had been majorly one-sided for Michigan State. It also gives the Wolverines a signature win for March in January.
Instant Analysis: Michigan 36, MSU 29 H
January, 17, 2012
Jan 17
7:48
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Turning point: Michigan scored on back-to-back layups -- first with a Trey Burke drive and dish to Stu Douglass, who one-touched it to Jordan Morgan for a layup. Then Burke stole the ball in the Michigan State backcourt and drove in for another layup to give Michigan a 30-20 lead.
Best player in the half: Burke has been sensational. The freshman, who has improved steadily throughout the course of the season, controlled the pace of the game. He finished with nine points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal -- but more impressive was how he drove to the lane, beating Michigan State guard Keith Appling and whomever else the Spartans had guarding him.
What Michigan needs to do, What Michigan State needs to do: Michigan -- Get Tim Hardaway Jr. more involved. The star sophomore has continued in his slump, shooting 0 of 3 from the field, 0 of 2 from the 3-point line and picked up all four of his points from the free-throw line. If Hardaway Jr. finds his game, Michigan could be in line to win its third straight against Michigan State. Michigan State -- Go inside more. One of Michigan's big weaknesses is interior defense and the Spartans have three guys who can really hurt Michigan there in Derrick Nix, Adreian Payne and Draymond Green. Combined, they have 15 points and 11 rebounds, but seven of those boards are from Green. Meanwhile Morgan, who is perpetually in foul trouble, hasn't picked up any.
Best player in the half: Burke has been sensational. The freshman, who has improved steadily throughout the course of the season, controlled the pace of the game. He finished with nine points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal -- but more impressive was how he drove to the lane, beating Michigan State guard Keith Appling and whomever else the Spartans had guarding him.
What Michigan needs to do, What Michigan State needs to do: Michigan -- Get Tim Hardaway Jr. more involved. The star sophomore has continued in his slump, shooting 0 of 3 from the field, 0 of 2 from the 3-point line and picked up all four of his points from the free-throw line. If Hardaway Jr. finds his game, Michigan could be in line to win its third straight against Michigan State. Michigan State -- Go inside more. One of Michigan's big weaknesses is interior defense and the Spartans have three guys who can really hurt Michigan there in Derrick Nix, Adreian Payne and Draymond Green. Combined, they have 15 points and 11 rebounds, but seven of those boards are from Green. Meanwhile Morgan, who is perpetually in foul trouble, hasn't picked up any.
The University of Miami (Fla.) became the third program to offer 2013 offensive lineman Hunter Bivin (Owensboro, Ky./Apollo), joining Kentucky and Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound lineman has been hearing from big-time schools, and received this offer after an in-school visit from Miami's offensive line coach, Art Kehoe.
Bivin's coach, Billy Cooper, said they were not only surprised by the offer but by the visit as well.
"I had no idea that he was coming down today, and Hunter was pretty blown away by it," Cooper said. "We weren't expecting that at all. He had been getting letters and things like that, but this was a big deal for our little school."
Bivin's coach, Billy Cooper, said they were not only surprised by the offer but by the visit as well.
"I had no idea that he was coming down today, and Hunter was pretty blown away by it," Cooper said. "We weren't expecting that at all. He had been getting letters and things like that, but this was a big deal for our little school."
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No extra motiviation is needed when Michigan and Michigan State meet. The fact both are ranked -- the Wolverines are No. 19 and Michigan State No. 9 -- and coming off stinging road losses to unranked conference rivals just add to the importance.
The Wolverines are coming off a season in which they swept the Spartans, a memory that sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. said is his fondest in college basketball. But if the Wolverines are hoping to extend that streak, here are three keys they'll need to focus on in Tuesday's matchup.
1. Freshman point guard Trey Burke needs to stay on the floor. Teams have figured it out: In Big Ten play, Michigan needs Burke on the floor. Without Hardaway Jr. or senior guard Zack Novak, the Wolverines are down. Without Burke, Michigan is as good as out. There is no backup on this team who can manage the offense as well as Burke or a player that keeps the Wolverines playing in transition and getting those easy buckets. That was shown in the Iowa game. He'll have a solid matchup with sophomore guard Keith Appling, but just as he was psyched to play against Wisconsin senior point guard Jordan Taylor, he should be ready to play against Appling.
The Wolverines are coming off a season in which they swept the Spartans, a memory that sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. said is his fondest in college basketball. But if the Wolverines are hoping to extend that streak, here are three keys they'll need to focus on in Tuesday's matchup.
1. Freshman point guard Trey Burke needs to stay on the floor. Teams have figured it out: In Big Ten play, Michigan needs Burke on the floor. Without Hardaway Jr. or senior guard Zack Novak, the Wolverines are down. Without Burke, Michigan is as good as out. There is no backup on this team who can manage the offense as well as Burke or a player that keeps the Wolverines playing in transition and getting those easy buckets. That was shown in the Iowa game. He'll have a solid matchup with sophomore guard Keith Appling, but just as he was psyched to play against Wisconsin senior point guard Jordan Taylor, he should be ready to play against Appling.
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Editor's note: Catching Up With is a periodic series in which WolverineNation will interview past Michigan players about their playing days and what they're up to now. This installment features former Michigan basketball forward Phil Hubbard.
Hubbard was a member of the Michigan basketball team from 1976-1979 and by the end of his career with the Wolverines (16.5 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.3 APG) he had done enough to have his number retired. He was the 15th overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft and went to Detroit. He played in the NBA for 10 seasons with Detroit and Cleveland.
From 2003-09 Hubbard worked as an assistant for the Washington Wizards after assistant coaching stints with the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks. Currently, he lives in Virginia.
Hubbard was a member of the Michigan basketball team from 1976-1979 and by the end of his career with the Wolverines (16.5 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.3 APG) he had done enough to have his number retired. He was the 15th overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft and went to Detroit. He played in the NBA for 10 seasons with Detroit and Cleveland.
From 2003-09 Hubbard worked as an assistant for the Washington Wizards after assistant coaching stints with the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks. Currently, he lives in Virginia.
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Tough stretch awaits Michigan basketball
January, 17, 2012
Jan 17
5:03
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In some ways, few teams are as prepared to handle Michigan’s stretch of the next six games as well as the Wolverines.
That, for Michigan, is the good news.
“You just look at the schedule and you have Michigan State, Ohio State and Indiana, all top-ranked teams coming in and going out to play,” sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. said. “It’s going to be a struggle but at the same time you can’t get mad, can’t get upset, you just have to go out there.
That, for Michigan, is the good news.
“You just look at the schedule and you have Michigan State, Ohio State and Indiana, all top-ranked teams coming in and going out to play,” sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. said. “It’s going to be a struggle but at the same time you can’t get mad, can’t get upset, you just have to go out there.
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Name: Blake Bars
Hometown: Nashville
Ht., wt.: 6 feet 6, 285
Hometown: Nashville
Ht., wt.: 6 feet 6, 285
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WolverineNation will be running Q&A’s with the parents of the Michigan commitments leading up to signing day to give their perspective on the recruiting process. Here is a look at what offensive line commit Blake Bars’ mom, Sally, had to say.
Q: Are you happy with the way your son's recruitment turned out?
A: I am really happy. At first I was like, ‘Are you sure you want to decide this soon?’ And now, looking back, I am so happy that he put that behind him so he could focus on his season.
Q: Are you happy with the way your son's recruitment turned out?
A: I am really happy. At first I was like, ‘Are you sure you want to decide this soon?’ And now, looking back, I am so happy that he put that behind him so he could focus on his season.
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ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y. native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom Van Haaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.
Bob McClellan
Bob McClellan joined ESPN.com in 2011 after more than 20 years as a sports editor and sports writer at Rivals.com, The (Nashville) Tennessean and The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. He is a Northwestern University graduate. He resides in Franklin, Tenn. Email him at robert.x.mcclellan.-nd@espn.com.