Michigan Wolverines: Michigan basketball
AP Photo/Carlos OsorioWill Devin Gardner (left) get more snaps next season and Denard Robinson move around?Michigan is coming off one of its best weekends in recent memory, with eight football commitments for the Class of 2013, a massive win in men's basketball over Ohio State, and even wins in hockey and softball.
In other words, it was a good weekend to be a Michigan fan.
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Rapid reaction: Michigan 67, Northwestern 55
February, 21, 2012
Feb 21
11:22
PM ET
There were a lot of things Michigan coach John Beilein likely didn't like during the No. 13 Wolverines' 67-55 overtime win over Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., on Tuesday night.
His team, which had driven the ball well and with precision over the past few weeks, settled too often for 3-pointers. Foul trouble came up again, with both Jordan Morgan and Evan Smotrycz sitting for most of the first half with two fouls.
And Tim Hardaway Jr. struggled from the foul line, going 4-of-10.
But this late in the season, in a game Northwestern badly needed to win to make its first-ever NCAA tournament, the Wolverines will take any win they can get on the road.
His team, which had driven the ball well and with precision over the past few weeks, settled too often for 3-pointers. Foul trouble came up again, with both Jordan Morgan and Evan Smotrycz sitting for most of the first half with two fouls.
And Tim Hardaway Jr. struggled from the foul line, going 4-of-10.
But this late in the season, in a game Northwestern badly needed to win to make its first-ever NCAA tournament, the Wolverines will take any win they can get on the road.
Marks a decade old within the Michigan basketball program continue to be shattered this week. On Saturday, the Wolverines beat Ohio State -- signifying the first time since the 2002-03 season Michigan has beaten the Buckeyes and Michigan State in the same season.
Now, on Monday, Michigan claimed its highest ranking in either the Associated Press or USA Today polls since 1997 after being tabbed the No. 11 team in the nation in the AP media poll Monday. Michigan also moved up to No. 13 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll.
The Wolverines were the No. 8 team in the nation on Jan. 2 and 4 in 1997 -- splitting a pair of games with Ohio State (a 73-71 loss) and Northwestern (a 75-57 win). The split knocked the Wolverines from eighth to 16th in that poll and while Michigan had come close to reaching those numbers again, it never did.
Until Monday.
This season's Michigan team is in contention for the Big Ten title, currently at 20-7 overall and 10-4 in the Big Ten, tied for second place and one game behind Michigan State.
The 1996-97 team, which had that lofty ranking, was led by the late Robert "Tractor" Traylor and current Michigan director of basketball operations, Travis Conlan. The team fell apart from early season success, finishing 24-11 and failing to make the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines did, however, win the NIT that season.
Now, on Monday, Michigan claimed its highest ranking in either the Associated Press or USA Today polls since 1997 after being tabbed the No. 11 team in the nation in the AP media poll Monday. Michigan also moved up to No. 13 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll.
The Wolverines were the No. 8 team in the nation on Jan. 2 and 4 in 1997 -- splitting a pair of games with Ohio State (a 73-71 loss) and Northwestern (a 75-57 win). The split knocked the Wolverines from eighth to 16th in that poll and while Michigan had come close to reaching those numbers again, it never did.
Until Monday.
This season's Michigan team is in contention for the Big Ten title, currently at 20-7 overall and 10-4 in the Big Ten, tied for second place and one game behind Michigan State.
The 1996-97 team, which had that lofty ranking, was led by the late Robert "Tractor" Traylor and current Michigan director of basketball operations, Travis Conlan. The team fell apart from early season success, finishing 24-11 and failing to make the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines did, however, win the NIT that season.
Question of the Week is a feature running Mondays at WolverineNation -- where we ask coaches and athletes we chat with during the week the same question. The best answers are compiled here each Monday.
Welcome to Question of the Week: Here are our previous questions.. Best Taunt: http://es.pn/w83dDi; Guilty pleasure: http://es.pn/zOY21E; Biggest Fear: http://es.pn/xNvEEA; Best recruiting story: http://es.pn/ACnIwc; What can't you live without: http://es.pn/z6lmMi
This week's question: What is your hidden talent?
Welcome to Question of the Week: Here are our previous questions.. Best Taunt: http://es.pn/w83dDi; Guilty pleasure: http://es.pn/zOY21E; Biggest Fear: http://es.pn/xNvEEA; Best recruiting story: http://es.pn/ACnIwc; What can't you live without: http://es.pn/z6lmMi
This week's question: What is your hidden talent?
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Some quick thoughts following No. 19 Michigan's 56-51 win over No. 6 Ohio State late Saturday night.
Turning point: Michigan freshman point guard Trey Burke dribbled at the top of the key, saw an opening on Ohio State guard Aaron Craft, drove down the left side of the lane and made a tough layup with 1:16 remaining to give Michigan a 54-49 lead. It was the first of two huge layups for Burke in the final two minutes.
Player of the game: Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas. While the Buckeyes didn't win, the sophomore was the only reason Ohio State even had a chance in the final few minutes. He took advantage of Michigan's decision to double Jared Sullinger by making 3-pointers from the corner, crashing the boards and being smart on his drives. He finished with a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds.
Unsung hero of the game: Michigan forward Jordan Morgan. The redshirt sophomore from Detroit had his best game of the season Saturday night, notching his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Bigger, though, were the smaller things he did, like taking two charges and being smart on swinging the ball from one side of the court to the other on offense.
Second-guessing: Thad Matta had a chance to extend the game with 42.5 seconds to play and Michigan up three, 54-51. But instead of fouling, he allowed the Wolverines to play the entire possession, which ended in a Burke layup and a 56-51 lead, which ended up being the final score.
What it means: Michigan State now has sole possession of first place in the Big Ten at 10-3, but it is a three-team race to the finish. Ohio State and Michigan are a half-game back at 10-4. Plus, Michigan State and Ohio State play in the season finale.
Turning point: Michigan freshman point guard Trey Burke dribbled at the top of the key, saw an opening on Ohio State guard Aaron Craft, drove down the left side of the lane and made a tough layup with 1:16 remaining to give Michigan a 54-49 lead. It was the first of two huge layups for Burke in the final two minutes.
Player of the game: Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas. While the Buckeyes didn't win, the sophomore was the only reason Ohio State even had a chance in the final few minutes. He took advantage of Michigan's decision to double Jared Sullinger by making 3-pointers from the corner, crashing the boards and being smart on his drives. He finished with a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds.
Unsung hero of the game: Michigan forward Jordan Morgan. The redshirt sophomore from Detroit had his best game of the season Saturday night, notching his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Bigger, though, were the smaller things he did, like taking two charges and being smart on swinging the ball from one side of the court to the other on offense.
Second-guessing: Thad Matta had a chance to extend the game with 42.5 seconds to play and Michigan up three, 54-51. But instead of fouling, he allowed the Wolverines to play the entire possession, which ended in a Burke layup and a 56-51 lead, which ended up being the final score.
What it means: Michigan State now has sole possession of first place in the Big Ten at 10-3, but it is a three-team race to the finish. Ohio State and Michigan are a half-game back at 10-4. Plus, Michigan State and Ohio State play in the season finale.
Some quick thoughts after the first half:
Turning point: Ohio State guard Aaron Craft picked up his second foul of the half after Tim Hardaway Jr. drew a charge with 4:04 to go before the break. His absence opened up the floor for point guard Trey Burke, who had been smothered by Craft for the majority of the half. Michigan responded with a 3-pointer from Stuart Douglass on the next possession.
Best player in the half: Burke. After struggling against Ohio State on the road on Jan. 29, Burke played much, much better at home. He was able to drive intermittently on Craft, controlled pace and played smartly. His best assist of the half was a drive to the free throw line where he somehow found Jordan Morgan for a layup. In all, Burke finished the half with seven points, three assists and no turnovers.
What Michigan needs to do, What Ohio State needs to do: Michigan -- Keep doing what it is doing. The Wolverines are controlling the pace of play, doing a good job doubling Jared Sullinger and not taking quick shots in a possession that could cause lead to easy transition baskets for the Buckeyes. Ohio State -- Go inside. Michigan has done a good job on Sullinger, however the Buckeyes are falling in love with the 3-pointer too much and it wasn't falling for them. Michigan struggled in the post with Sullinger in its first meeting, but so far the Buckeyes haven't utilized him as much.
Turning point: Ohio State guard Aaron Craft picked up his second foul of the half after Tim Hardaway Jr. drew a charge with 4:04 to go before the break. His absence opened up the floor for point guard Trey Burke, who had been smothered by Craft for the majority of the half. Michigan responded with a 3-pointer from Stuart Douglass on the next possession.
Best player in the half: Burke. After struggling against Ohio State on the road on Jan. 29, Burke played much, much better at home. He was able to drive intermittently on Craft, controlled pace and played smartly. His best assist of the half was a drive to the free throw line where he somehow found Jordan Morgan for a layup. In all, Burke finished the half with seven points, three assists and no turnovers.
What Michigan needs to do, What Ohio State needs to do: Michigan -- Keep doing what it is doing. The Wolverines are controlling the pace of play, doing a good job doubling Jared Sullinger and not taking quick shots in a possession that could cause lead to easy transition baskets for the Buckeyes. Ohio State -- Go inside. Michigan has done a good job on Sullinger, however the Buckeyes are falling in love with the 3-pointer too much and it wasn't falling for them. Michigan struggled in the post with Sullinger in its first meeting, but so far the Buckeyes haven't utilized him as much.
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. --DJ Dinero blasted the Cupid Shuffle over his loudspeakers, music heard clear across the Crisler Center parking lot early Saturday morning. Dinero had been playing music under a makeshift tent for about an hour, and students who normally would be just wandering in from their night out or in the midst of multiple hours of sleep were instead doing something else.
They were dancing, almost 50 of them.
This was entertainment at the top of the Mortenson Family Plaza, a way to stay warm Saturday morning as they waited in line for wristbands allowing them into Saturday's College GameDay morning show and later into Crisler Center as No. 6 Ohio State plays No. 19 Michigan at 9 p.m. on Saturday night.
They were dancing, almost 50 of them.
This was entertainment at the top of the Mortenson Family Plaza, a way to stay warm Saturday morning as they waited in line for wristbands allowing them into Saturday's College GameDay morning show and later into Crisler Center as No. 6 Ohio State plays No. 19 Michigan at 9 p.m. on Saturday night.
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Michigan players Zack Novak and Trey Burke finished chatting with the media Friday afternoon in advance of the No. 19 Wolverines game against No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday night as part of College GameDay.
Here, as always, are the highlights in easy to read bullet form:
Here, as always, are the highlights in easy to read bullet form:
Michigan basketball coach John Beilein just finished up his press availability before the No. 19 Wolverines face No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday night at 9 p.m. on ESPN, part of the College GameDay coming to Ann Arbor, Mich. this weekend.
The highlights, as always, are in easy to read bullet form:
The highlights, as always, are in easy to read bullet form:
The new Michigan Player Development Center for men's and women's basketball finally has a name.
The university's Board of Regents approved the naming of the facility as the "William Davidson Player Development Center" on Thursday after the former Michigan track athlete and late owner of the Detroit Pistons.
"Mr. Davidson had a passion for Michigan and for basketball," Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said in a statement Thursday. "We are pleased and grateful that the William Davidson Foundation chose to support Michigan athletics as a way to honor him.
"This facility will have a profound and positive impact on our student-athletes and staffs for years to come."
The William Davidson Foundation donated $7.5 million to the athletic department. Davidson died in 2009.
The university's Board of Regents approved the naming of the facility as the "William Davidson Player Development Center" on Thursday after the former Michigan track athlete and late owner of the Detroit Pistons.
"Mr. Davidson had a passion for Michigan and for basketball," Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said in a statement Thursday. "We are pleased and grateful that the William Davidson Foundation chose to support Michigan athletics as a way to honor him.
"This facility will have a profound and positive impact on our student-athletes and staffs for years to come."
The William Davidson Foundation donated $7.5 million to the athletic department. Davidson died in 2009.
Michigan basketball is in the Big Ten title hunt and has a big game Saturday against rival Ohio State on ESPN. The Buckeyes and Wolverines happen to be pretty big rivals in football and recruiting as well.
These topics -- and whether Michigan coach Brady Hoke will change at all from his first to second season -- are discussed in this week's Michigan roundtable.
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Michigan basketball coach John Beilein just finished his weekly radio show at Pizza House in Ann Arbor, Mich.
As always, here are the highlights in an easy reading bullet form:
As always, here are the highlights in an easy reading bullet form:
3-pointers: No. 25 Michigan 70, Illinois 61 
February, 12, 2012
Feb 12
5:02
PM ET
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- For weeks, Michigan has searched for some reliability -- for a way for someone other than senior captains Zack Novak and Stu Douglass to be consistent for the Wolverines.
And while one game isn’t a true barometer of the rest of the season, No. 25 Michigan had to like what it saw during its 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.
Michigan had balance -- four players were in double-figures for the first time since Jan. 24 against Purdue. Plus, the Wolverines drove the ball more -- the 16 3-point attempts were the fewest since the Wolverines took only 14 against the Boilermakers.
And while one game isn’t a true barometer of the rest of the season, No. 25 Michigan had to like what it saw during its 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.
Michigan had balance -- four players were in double-figures for the first time since Jan. 24 against Purdue. Plus, the Wolverines drove the ball more -- the 16 3-point attempts were the fewest since the Wolverines took only 14 against the Boilermakers.
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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.