11 Years: From Sadness to Madness

As Tom Petty said…"the waiting is the hardest part."


The 11 year drought of Michigan basketball being left out of the big dance ended recently. But, technically… the Wolverines have not officially danced since 1995 according to NCAA sanctions, so… if one takes that into account… the wait has been even more agonizing and will-breaking for true fans of the maize and blue. From the bleak and embarrassing Brian Ellerbe era through Tommy Amaker's group of underachieving (and occasional Sparty beating) players, the road was tough to endure. Let's not forget the black eye result of the Martin (booster) scandal that plagued the program for some time.

A new era finally began in April of 2007 when Michigan hired the highly respected John Beilein from West Virginia. This marked a new beginning for the basketball program and has proven to be a successful step forward after many years of shame, mediocrity, complacency and Selection Sunday sadness.

To flashback … I remember when Ellerbe took the job after Steve Fisher resigned. The program was already under heavy investigation and the consequences were looming. Thus, Fisher knew he had to get the hell outta dodge. Of course Ellerbe took Fisher's kids (Bullock, Traylor, Conlan, Baston, etc.) and went on a memorable run to claim the first ever Big Ten tournament title, but as I stated above… that year and all of the glory that was the Fab Five beforehand would be later omitted from the NCAA record books. The banners of significant achievement were also taken down in Crisler Arena.

As the program started its downward spiral, Tom Izzo and the Spartans gained the upper hand and Big Ten dominance followed shortly after. Izzo also established a firm stranglehold in regards to recruiting, especially within the state of Michigan. I believe the determining factor that prompted me into hiding as a Wolverine basketball fan was the game against MSU in Ann Arbor (circa 2000-01'). The team took a 30+ point thrashing that evening and I basically refrained from watching any games for nearly a year. Embarrassing??? Why that's quite the understatement…

I consider my memory to be strong at most times and I tend not to forget most names that have played for the Wolverines, but the amnesiac effect of the Ellerbe era only allows me to recall the names (some good, some bad) of Avery Queen, Josh Asselin, Jamal Crawford (if he counts) and… Lavell Blanchard. Hmm… Bernard Robinson, Jr. is also worth mentioning.

The short-lived uniforms of those days were also forgettable.






















Following the Ellerbe debacle, the program desperately needed someone to clean it up. Michigan's choice was former "Dukie" player and assistant Tommy Amaker. The Amaker days did shed some positive light and reasons for optimism, however, matters just stayed the same and a sense of complacency started to become the norm. Amaker's second season at the helm (02-03) displayed good progress, but the program was under its last year of NCAA probation. The 03-04 season made me smile as the Wolverines won the cute (but shitty and aggravating after a while) futile NIT tournament. I had perceived things were moving forward, but I was proven otherwise.

The 05-06 season was when my patience had finally hit a point of exhaustion. The Wolverines only needed to win one more game over a mediocre Minnesota team they had beaten twice prior by well over double digits. Sadly, the result was a loss and yet another NIT berth. It was frustrating because programs such as Purdue and Ohio State had improved significantly with new coaches during that time.

The closer I evaluated Michigan basketball, the more I started to notice that Amaker just wasn't getting the job done. This was for various reasons such as players like Dion Harris, a former Mr. Basketball in the state of Michigan, remaining the same throughout his career. The same can be said about Courtney Sims as he never really progressed either. Sims also failed to dunk a basketball on a few occasions, even when being directly under the basket.

The bottom line came down to whether if Amaker was just not that good of a head coach OR he wasn't raking in the necessary talent. It was actually a mixture of both in my opinion. The complacency was made quite apparent during the last two years of his tenure at Michigan, which resulted in the same old song and dance. I grew weary of the post-game interviews that included players saying "we tried" and "they were just the better team." That type of talk clearly reflected upon Amaker and the current state of the program at the time. As soon as another NIT bid was accepted, I knew Amaker's days were drawing to a conclusion. I don't dislike Amaker, though. He deserves a great amount of respect for the way he cleaned up the image of the program and made it somewhat respectable.

His firing coincidentally arrived on my birthday two years ago and Michigan clearly had an important choice to make…

a) This-







..Oh! Cheer up, Bernard (far right)! Strike up some Queen!

Weeeeee are *#66*, My Friends!!!

b) The visual definition of March Madness-






























Michigan made a wise choice by bringing Coach Beilein to Ann Arbor and I can only hope the second WVU experiment goes the same way this fall in the Big House. Anyway, basketball is the topic here and that's a completely different article. I applaud Beilein for the job he has done in such short time because 10 wins to 20 wins is one hell of a turnaround, especially after years of continuous disappointment.
No, these players aren't notorious for their baggy shorts, black Nike socks, and shaved heads… they are just a solid bunch that plays a mean 1-3-1 zone defense and loves to shoot the three ball. Deshaun Sims and Manny Harris (Amaker recruits) have excelled tremendously as a dangerous inside/outside duo in Beilein's system. Other players such as seniors David Merritt, CJ Lee, and Jevohn Shepherd have become more valuable on the cour and their vocal leadership has also paid off. In addition… fellow freshmen Laval Lucas-Perry, Stu Douglass, and Zack Novak also deserve praise for a remarkable season.
Although there were times late in the season when I thought the Wolverines would pack it in and settle for the NIT, they simply did not. Regardless if they lose to Clemson in the first round or if they make a surprise run in the dance, this season was a great achievement. It was also a long time coming...

Hail! Hail! Beilein!

When it Rains... It Pours..

The wolverines have lost their last three games. Cold as could be.. Manny had his worst game ever vs PSU. Sims looked lost vs OSU and looked like he was some where else. Coach B said this team will struggle and he didn't lie. I am not sure if this team is gonna be dancing. I see NIT unless they get Hot soon. They have NW next who just beat MSU at MSU and so they could easily come into Crisler and win.

The NW is a must win. If they want anything to do with March Madness. Their schedule gets brutal coming up. UCONN,MSU Wis ect ec.. I don't have to explain. UM gonna have to find some heart because they have zero size and they need to start attacking the lane and grabbing boards. Thanks to some crap AAU coach our big ran off to Baylor.. I won't even say his name. That was a huge blow.

It's time for the team to either sink or swim. It's gotta start with NW.

Bj Mullens is classy



You better hope Manny didn't see this... Class act clown.

baby it's cold outside


I didn't get a chance to talk much about the UM loss to Ill but their isn't much to say other than no one showed up. Manny had an ugly 20pts, Sims went 3-14 and was owned by some skinny punk center. This game scares the hell out of me because all it takes is some size and UM is in big trouble, they really have no centers(sorry Zack Gibbson). I also get the feeling that some nights Sims just doesn't have the same energy he should. He looked like he was some where else most the game. Huge game vs the theeeeeeee Ohio state tonight. We need this one to keep up in the big ten race. 8-10 wins is the key.. We need number 4 today.

Thus God gave us youtube!!

Every Wed I will post UM youtubes to help us get through the week.

This one I made after the Capitol one Bowl.


Game Winner for UM


Braylon Edwards highlights, one of my favs..


Not many get to see the UM basketball plays entrance.


Some 1989 love... 20 years later.

Hawkeye's handled


It was a great game from start to finish for my Wolverines, as they beat up on Iowa 64-49. It wasn't even that close. UM played it best D since the Duke game and went inside-out on offense..Finally! To the Rundown!

The Rundown!

Manny Harris: Filled up the stats as always. Having 18 points and some nice drives to basket. Shot only 4 threes. Had a few TO that could have been avoided but good game.

Deshawn Sims: Great game, played tough on the inside. Had 16pts. Would have had more but a few shots just rimed out.

Kelvin Grady: Another solid game form the former EGR star. 8pts and 4 dimes with "0" TOs! Been playing very well.

LLM: As you know I mean Perry but call him "mack". Had a nice game. Got to the lane and knocked in a few 3s. He been a huge boots for this team.

Zack Novack: Not his best shooting day but still makes great basketball plays and HOBO's.

Zack Gibbson: Once again Zack had a rough game. 1-5 and 1 reb.. Yes you read that right. He's lucky he's 6-9ish..

Michigan plays at 8:30pm at Ill on wed. Could a very tough game to win. Um doesn't have much experience on the road and Ill is gonna be looking for pay back. A huge win if UM can pull it off.

Holy Indiana!


90% of the UM vs IU game was spent me cussing at the TV. It was pretty frustrating watching 3 ball after 3 ball go up only to be clunked off the rim. Most of yelling consisted of "It's not you're night!" "Manny yea drive ball, what? NO don't Jack that Three!" "Take it to the f-ing hole!" "You know it's not against the rules to shoot inside the 3-point arc?". I was scaring my wife most the night.

Then a funny thing happened. UM started playing D and IU started looking like IU. A few 3s dropped and before you know it we have a ball game. You gotta give CJ Lee all the props in the world for coming in and hitting those two huge 3s. You also gotta admire Coach B for having the nuts to bench his superstar when he isn't producing for a walk on.

I want to thank Devan Dumes for taking it to the rack when he should have pulled it out and let UM foul him. That lead to Little Laval Lucas-Mack hitting that last three to tie the game. It was ugly as hell but the air just went out of Assembly Hall. I knew if UM could force it into OT they would win. In OT IU choked hard and missed seven FTs. UM played just good enough to win with a few scares mixed in. One being Manny Fouled on a 3-point shot. It was a big time bone head move and then Grady stepping out of bounds at the end almost giving IU light. Overall a very rough game but it gotta make you feel good that this team finds a way where Amakers Teams always found a way to lose. Now if they could just play Defense..

The Rundown

Manny Harris: Rough Game. Jacked a lot of bad 3s. Terrible foul on a 3-point shooter. Needs to get back to attacking the rim more. Did hit some big FTs and one three down the stretch.

Deshawn Sims: Solid game, needed more touches. Seemed like IU had a hard time with him but UM failed to get the ball to him enough. Jacked two many bad threes(like everyone).

Zack Novak: Played very Hard tonight and even looked like a leader at some points. Didn't shoot the best but put it all out there. Had a huge play when he kept a reb alive to Sims.

CJ Lee: Played hard as well and the walk on caption hit two huge 3s. Well played sir..

Laval Lucas-Mack: Played a good game. Shot a few quick 3s but was a big reason why UM won the game. He has came on strong and looks like a great transfer. He missed a few bunnies but played better D then most.

Kelvin Grady: Ok game for Grady, Hit a few threes. Never really got out on the break(where he shines). He did step out at the end but other that, nice night.

Zack Gibson: He frustrates me more than most. He travels every time he touches the ball. He just looks awkward out there. He didn't play well and see's the floor for his size alone. He is avging 2.2 rebs a game! Mr.Novak is avging 2.6 rebs a game.... Yikes. Needs to improve.

Stu Douglass: Still a bit unsure while on the court but hit a nice 3 when needed and doesn't do much to anger me. For me he's in the middle. He hasn't followed up that UCLA game yet.

Make sure to watch Michigan take on Iowa this Sunday at 11:30am.

Changes

Well I have decided to close the store for now. J(the one with talent) and I are just to busy at the moment to keep pumping out shirts. I am not saying it closed forever but as of now it is. I plan on focusing more on blogging. As you can see I have blogging guide to the right and that will let you know what is on the menu each day. I just wanted to thank all who have bought shirts(many of you). It was great seeing a few at the UM games. So now the Blog is now the "aMAIZEIng Blog. Let it stand from this day forth...