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1/31 Pistons Update

1/31/2017

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By: Bogart Lipe
     We have now passed the halfway point of the NBA season, and it has been a frustrating start for the Detroit Pistons and their fans. This team had very high aspirations of taking the next step in their quest to put Detroit Basketball back on the NBA map, but it hasn’t gone as planned. Although the Pistons did return to the playoffs last year for the first time since 2010 and gave the Cavs a hard fought series, one in which they were still swept, this season has been slow to build off of last.
     This year, Reggie Jackson, the presumptive point guard of the Pistons’ future, missed the first 21 games of the season as the Pistons went 11-10. Ish Smith, yet another savvy offseason signing by Stan Van Gundy, provided a much needed spark in the starting lineup during those 21 games, and placed the Pistons in a good position to possibly contend for a top 4 seed in the East. However, it took Reggie a couple weeks to get back in the groove of things, and he didn’t play 30 minutes in a game until 11 games into his return. The team hit their undisputed lowest point in the season when they dropped all the way to 15-20, with a 4-10 record since Reggie’s return. SVG decided the team needed a change, and decided to take Tobias Harris out of the starting lineup and replace his spot with Jon Leuer. They’ve been playing roughly .500 basketball since, and have been hovering a game or two behind the 8 seed in the playoffs in the East.
     There are many places that the team can improve in, but it starts with the offense and their energy. The Pistons are currently in the bottom 10 of the NBA in points scored per game and assists per game and in the bottom five in 3 point percentage and free throw percentage. There isn’t a single qualified 40% shooter from three on the roster, and it makes everything harder for the pick and roll emphasized offense Stan Van wants to run. Without any elite shooters, it is increasingly difficult for Reggie and Andre Drummond to find space in the lane to operate and get easy shots at the rim. This sometimes leads to too much isolation and stagnate possessions, resulting in forced, low percentage shots. With increased energy on a night-to-night basis, the Pistons can play team basketball from wing to wing, contest shots, and get out in transition. They’ve done this in spurts, and looked great when they have, but it’s not nearly as normal as it needs to be.
     In addition to the 3 pointer on offense, the Pistons have struggled with the 3 on defense as well, as they rank in the bottom five in opponent 3 point percentage. Other than that, the Pistons defense has been solid, a top 10 one in scoring, albeit without forcing many turnovers or generating much resistance at the rim until recently. Andre has become more involved on the defensive end, and that is great news for Pistons fans and their hopes of making the playoffs again, as he can be a difference maker on that end of the floor.
     In regards to the trade rumors that have been swirling, this team is still young and there is no need to blow it up right now. Andre, KCP, and Tobias Harris are all 24 or younger, and Reggie is still 26. This core group haven’t played many games together because of injury either. Tobias was a trade deadline addition last year, and Reggie, Leuer, and KCP have suffered injuries this year. As a result, the Pistons have just recently been able to field a team at full strength. Contrary to popular belief, SVG should not make a huge splash before the upcoming deadline, as there are not many available and attainable players that fill a need, for instance a 3 point specialist. A smaller move, like one including Aron Baynes, who has not looked good the last few weeks and whose contract is up after this season, makes more sense. The Pistons do not plan to retain Baynes, as evidenced by the offseason signing of former Spurs big man, and runaway fan favorite, Boban Marjanovic.
     Quick tangent: there have been 4 rookies in NBA history to average 28 points and 18 rebounds per 48 minutes: Wilt Chamberlain (Hall of Fame), Walt Bellamy (Hall of Fame) , Elvin Hayes (Hall of Fame), and…..Boban Marjanovic (BOBAN!!).
     Boban has been good in limited minutes again, even sporting the best PER on the team. It only makes sense that SVG hears any and all offers for Baynes, an above average backup big man, and try to get something back for him. Another player that could be available via trade is the struggling Marcus Morris, who hasn’t truly found his shot this season for any extended period of time. If SVG was able to get back a good shooter, he could start in Marcus’ place or Tobias could re-enter the starting lineup and once again provide another scoring option. As for the rest of the team, we must give them a chance to play together and reveal whether or not their ceiling is as high as we think. They’ve had the 7th hardest strength of schedule thus far (according to ESPN RPI) and the rest of the season presents an easier schedule, with only 18 of the remaining 34 opponents being current playoff teams. There is still time to make a run for the playoffs, with a 5 or 6 seed appearing to be the highest they can go. Nevertheless, it will require better shooting from the guards and wings, better play around the 3 point line on offense and defense, and a night to night consistency this young team hasn’t displayed yet. They’re at their best when they can get in transition and the ball is moving around the entire court, allowing penetration into weak spots in the defense and opening up shots from outside and offensive rebound opportunities for Andre. Tobias (an outrageously underrated finisher at the rim) and Reggie are at their best when attacking the basket, and resultant open shots from the outside can really catalyze the offense.
     It has been close to a worst case first half of the season, but the Pistons are nowhere near out of a playoff spot and a potential playoff run. They still have a chance to take that next step and advance in the playoffs this year, just like fans and the team hoped they’d be able to do before the season started. But it has to start sooner rather than later.

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Kim Barnes Arico Reaches 100 Wins

1/31/2017

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By: Emily Herard

On January 25th, the Michigan Women’s basketball team defeated Northwestern 80-54 with head coach Kim Barnes Arico (KBA) recording her 100th win at Michigan. The Wolverines dominated on both ends of the floor, holding Northwestern to only nine points in the first quarter. Once again junior Jillian Dunston led the defensive effort, pulling down 14 rebounds, one shy of her career high. On offense the Wolverines were led by freshman Kysre Gondrezick who knocked down six of ten shots from three and finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Gondrezick was named Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Week for her dominating performance. Katelynn Flaherty scored 20 points, and is now third in career points at Michigan. Siera Thompson also moved up on the record board with 7 assists, passing Jenny Ryan for second in career assists.

After the victory the Wolverines celebrated Coach KBA’s 100th win, making her just the second coach in the program’s history to hit the century mark. She is now only 23 games away from tying Coach Sue Guevara for most program wins. In her fifth season as Michigan’s head coach, KBA has built a strong women’s basketball program through her strong recruiting skills and ability to build rosters that have great chemistry. In her first recruiting class, KBA brought in Katelynn Flaherty, followed by Hallie Thome in the 2019 class, and now freshmen Kysre Gondrezick who was Michigan’s 2016 Miss Basketball. Through her solid recruitment, KBA has formed a dominant Michigan offense that will only continue to draw in big name recruits.

Since arriving in Ann Arbor, Kim Barnes Arico has created one giant family with her basketball team and her husband and three children. The family environment at Crisler has not only led to on-court success for the Wolverines, but has also helped players grow and develop off the court. Leading with tough love, KBA always puts her players and team above anything else and she serves as a strong role model for her players. With eight Big Ten conference games remaining, KBA has the opportunity to lead her team to a NCAA tournament berth for the first time since her first season as head coach in 2012-2013.

The Wolverines travel to Champaign on Wednesday to take on the Fighting Illini at 7:00 PM CT.

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Michigan Football 2017 Depth Chart

1/30/2017

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By: Evan Osterle
​Michigan Football: Pre-National Signing Day 2017 Depth Chart and Roster Outlook (Offense)

Michigan heads into NSD next Wednesday with the 4th-ranked recruiting class in the country, but Jim Harbaugh is not done yet. With 26 players already committed, the Wolverines could add as many as seven more players by the end of the day Wednesday, and could challenge Georgia for the 3rd-best class of 2017. Having such a highly ranked class is a good sign for the Wolverines who are graduating one of the biggest classes ever with 41 seniors. Losing 7 starters on offense and 10 on defense leaves a lot of shoes to be filled on a 10-3 team that was ranked as highly as number 3 in the country last season. The offseason will be full of competition for playing time as a record 11 early-enrollees will battle with a number of 2015 and 2016 recruits for playing time on a wide open depth chart this season. In today’s blog, I will examine the 2017 offensive depth chart, position-by-position.

Note: All recruiting rankings are via 247 Composite Rankings and all player stats are via ESPN.com

Quarterback

Returning: Wilton Speight (RS Jr.), John O’Korn (5th year), Brandon Peters (RS Fresh.), Alex Malzone (RS Soph.)
Departed: Shane Morris (Transfer to CMU)
Commits: Dylan McCaffrey (4* recruit, #5 rated Pocket Passer)
Remaining Targets: None

Despite Jim Harbaugh publicly calling Wilton Speight one of the best returning quarterbacks in the country, this is one of the most critical position battles of the offseason. I expect it to be a 3-man race between Speight, Peters, and O’Korn. Ultimately, it will come down to whether or not Peters, the most talented of the three, is game-ready enough to challenge Speight for the starting job. With a whole new group of starting wideouts, Speight won’t have the advantage of chemistry as he looks to regain his spot. I believe Speight will start the season under center against Florida in Arlington, but don’t expect Harbaugh to declare a starter any time soon. Look for McCaffrey to take a redshirt year and learn the offense.

Running Back

Returning: Chris Evans (So.), Ty Isaac (Sr.), Karan Higdon (Jr.), Kareem Walker (RS Fr.), Kingston Davis (RS Fr.)
Departed: De’Veon Smith, Drake Johnson
Commits: O’Maury Samuels (4* #21 RB), Kurt Taylor (3* #53 RB)
Remaining Targets: NOT NAJEE!

By far the biggest story at the running back position this offseason was Michigan’s inability to flip Alabama commit Najee Harris. However, despite that recruiting loss and the loss of leading rusher De’Veon Smith, running back is probably the most stable position heading into the offseason. Chris Evans (7 ypc) was explosive and consistent for the Wolverines and had just 232 fewer yards than Smith on 97 fewer carries. Karan Higdon will also be back, but look for RS Freshman Kareem Walker to claim the backup spot and make an impact. Walker, the 4th-ranked RB in the class of 2016, should be primed for a breakout year after sitting out his freshman year to focus on academics. I’d be surprised if Samuels or Taylor made an impact as true freshman, but then again, who was expecting Chris Evans to be the Wolverines’ most efficient rusher last season? No Najee? No problem. Chris Evans will be an All-conference back in 2017.

Fullback

Returning: Khalid Hill (5th year), Henry Poggi (5th year)
Departed: Bobby Henderson
Commits: Ben Mason (3* #32 ILB)
Remaining Targets: None

With Khalid Hill’s decision to return to school, this is another stable position offensively. Hill had 13 total touchdowns (10 rushing, 3 receiving) and will be the go to short yardage back, especially with power back De'Veon Smith moving on to the NFL. Poggi should be a key blocker in the pro-style passing game, but if Michigan runs more spread, as Harbaugh has hinted at with the hire of the Browns Pep Hamilton (and Harbaugh reportedly told wide receiver target Nico Collins that there will be more spread run next season), then Poggi’s role could be diminished.

Wide Receiver

Returning: Eddie McDoom (So.), Moe Ways (RS Jr.), Drake Harris (RS Jr.), Kekoa Crawford (So.), Grant Perry (Jr.), Nate Johnson (So.)
Departed: Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson
Commits: Donovan Peoples Jones (5* #1 WR #12 Overall), Tarik Black (4* #17 WR)
Remaining Targets: Nico Collins (4* #23 WR), Oliver Martin 4* #28 WR)

Michigan loses its top 3 receivers in Darboh, Chesson, and Jake Butt. The trio combined for 138 receptions, 1908 yards, and 13 touchdowns. For perspective, Michigan had 228 catches, 2756 yards, and 20 touchdowns as a team. Key contributors Perry (whose status on the team is in question following allegations of sexual assault), McDoom, and Crawford will try to hold off an elite group of freshmen who are big, talented, and hungry for success. Expect DPJ and Black to challenge for playing time right away as early-enrollees. I expect DPJ and Crawford to be the two starters on the outside and either McDoom or Perry to start in the slot. However, whoever wins the starting job will likely cede time in a veritable revolving door of receivers, as the Wolverines will have an opportunity to duplicate what they did with the defensive line in 2016: they could conceivably have 2 full units of receivers rotate on to keep everyone fresh all the time. B1G defensive backs beware, this is a receiver corps to be feared regardless of who is throwing to them.

Tight End

Returning: Devin Asiasi (So.), Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (RS So.), Ian Bunting (Sr.), Zach Gentry (RS Jr.), Sean McKeon (So.), Nick Eubanks (So.)
Departed: Jake Butt
Commits: None
Remaining Targets: None

The Wolverines lose fan favorite and team captain Jake Butt, but tight end production probably won’t fall off much. Asiasi and Wheatley Jr. both showed flashes of excellence in 2016 as each caught touchdowns backing up Butt. Asiasi was a key win on the recruiting battlefield for Michigan in 2016; expect to him to have a breakout season as a productive receiver in the offense. Bunting should retain his role as a talented backup run blocker and pass catcher for the Wolverines. Fans will surely want to see Gentry (6’ 8”, 4.5 40-yard dash) show off his athletic ability and prove himself as a mismatch against slower linebackers and smaller safeties. But with TE being such a loaded position, Harbaugh has reportedly considered trying out the former quarterback at wide receiver. If Gentry can make an impact, it will be an added bonus to an already deep and versatile group at the tight end position.

Tackle

Returning: Ben Bredeson (So.), Grant Newsome (Jr.), Juwan Bushell-Beatty (RS. Jr.), Nolan Ulizio (RS Jr.)
Departed: Erik Magnuson
Commits: Chuck Filiaga (4* #15 OT), Joel Honigford (3* #50 OT)
Remaining Targets: Mekhi Becton (3* #44 OT)

This recruiting cycle has been a rough one at the offensive tackle position. Projected Michigan target Isaiah Wilson chose Georgia instead, long-time commit Kai-Leon Herbert flipped to Miami less than two weeks before signing day, and it took a major unexpected recruiting victory in 4-star Chuck Filiaga from Texas to salvage the position in the 2017 class. This will be a key position in terms of 2018 recruiting for Michigan and new offensive line coach Greg Frey. For the 2017 season, Bredeson should hold down the blind side, and Juwan Bushell-Beatty should be the man on the right for the Wolverines. If Newsome can recover from a gruesome knee injury he suffered in 2016, he should compete for playing time with both Bredeson and Bushell-Beatty. There are also high hopes for Filiaga to come in and be a factor right away. The talent at the tackle spots is young, but has a high ceiling.

Guard

Returning: Michael Onwenu (So.), Jon Runyan Jr. (RS So.), David Dawson (5th year), Stephen Spanellis (So.)
Departed: Ben Braden, Kyle Kalis
Commits: JaRaymond Hall (4* #32 OT), Andrew Stueber (3* #48 OT)
Remaining Targets: Tedarrell Slaton (4* #2 OG)

I’m being a bit speculative in calling Hall and Stueber guards, but this is the position I believe they will end up playing, with a number of tackles committed, but no true guard in the class. However, I expect Onwenu to start along with 5th year senior David Dawson in 2017, giving the new commits time to learn the position. During bowl practices, much of the chatter coming from practice surrounded the battles happening between Onwenu and star defensive end Rashan Gary. If Onwenu can hold his own against Gary, expect to make a major impact at guard this season. If Cesar Ruiz can start at center while Mason Cole moves to tackle (see below), then Ben Bredeson could move back to guard and start. Otherwise, expect it to be Dawson until a younger player steps up and takes his spot. Tedarrell Slaton would be a huge get at the position, but he’s probably going to Florida.

Center

Returning: Mason Cole (Sr.), Patrick Kugler (5th year)
Departed: Ben Pliska
Commits: Cesar Ruiz (4* #1 Center)
Remaining Targets:

Regardless of whether or not Mason Cole remains at the center position, he will be the key piece of a young offensive line. A projected 3rd round pick, Cole returned for his senior year along with defensive end Mo Hurst to give Michigan some seasoned veterans on what will otherwise be young lines on both sides of the ball. If Ruiz shows he is game-ready this spring as an early enrollee, Cole could be moved back to tackle. There’s a lot riding on Ruiz’s shoulders, but at 6’ 3”, 315 pounds, the number 1 ranked center of the class might just be able to handle the pressure.

Projected Two-deep Offensive Depth Chart
QB- Speight, Peters
RB- Evans, Walker
FB- Hill, Poggi
WR 1- DPJ, Ways
WR 2- Crawford, Black
Slot WR- McDoom, Perry
TE- Asiasi, Wheatley


Left tackle- Bredeson, Newsomw
Left Guard- Onwenu, Runyan
Center- Cole, Ruiz
Right Guard- Dawson, Spanellis
Right Tackle- Bushell-Beatty, Filiaga​

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Michigan's Target for National Signing Day

1/30/2017

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By: Grace Boyles

Michigan’s Targets for National Signing Day

On National Signing Day (Feb. 1st), Michigan hopes to add a few key players to their already extensive 2017 roster. Currently the Wolverines have 11 early enrollees, including Donovan People-Jones, the team’s only five-star recruit of the 2017 class -- for now. Having just one or two of the following undecided players sign with Michigan on Wednesday could up the Wolverines’ 2017 recruiting class rank.

The Wolverine’s Wish List:

5. Harbaugh recently made a last minute recruiting push and visited OT Mekhi Becton in Virginia a week ago. The 3-star recruit has been heavily recruited by Virginia Tech and is predicted to sign with the Hokies. Currently, 6-foot-7, 345 lb Becton is the No. 42 OT in the nation. A factor that may keep Becton from signing with Michigan on NSD is the fact that of the 26 recruits already committed to Michigan, two of them are 4-star OT’s and two others are 3-star OT’s. But having Becton on the team would still be an advantage for the Wolverines in the coming years. Often times coaches simply need to recruit football players and put them in positions instead of recruiting by position.

4. Mississippi native Willie Gay has been in a heated recruiting battle with SEC rivals LSU and Mississippi State. The 4-star OLB climbed the ranks his senior season. Gay ended his season with 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss of yards, 9 broken passes, 6 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. At first the 6-foot-2, 223 lb player was committed to Ole Miss, but decommitted after an official visit to Michigan in October. The Wolverines have continued pursuing Gay, sending linebackers and special teams coach Chris Partridge to Mississippi twice since Gay’s visit to Ann Arbor. Maybe Gay’s initial love for Michigan will be enough to have him sign on Wednesday.

3. Michigan is also hoping to land #3 defensive tackle Jay Tufele. The 4-star recruit had a monster senior year at Bingham High School in Utah. He ended his senior season with 10.5 sacks and 57 total tackles. Tufele, 6-foot-3, 297 lb, has narrowed down his choices to Utah, BYU, Ohio State, USC, and Michigan. Utah currently has no defensive tackles in their 2017 recruiting class and the Utes are losing two seniors at the position. Ohio State, USC, and Michigan all have at least two defensive tackles committed already. In the end, it may be hard for Michigan to pry Tufele away from his home state and the opportunity to have a good amount of playing time right away.

2. #14 WR Nico Collins would be a great snag for Michigan come February 1st. Collins has primarily kept southern schools among his top picks. Some of these schools include his home state’s powerhouse Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, and LSU. Harbaugh, however, has been able to keep Michigan on Collins’ mind. Back in June 2016 Collins made the trek up to Ann Arbor and ran routes in The Big House, an experience he very much enjoyed. It was also during this visit that Collins met Dylan McCaffrey, the QB Michigan commit. Collins expressed that he very much liked McCaffrey and that McCaffrey’s presence at Michigan may have an influence on his decision of which college to attend. One factor to keep in mind when NSD rolls around is that Tyrone Wheatley Sr. was recruiting Collins, but now Wheatley has accepted a job with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This could possibly affect Collins decision if he generated a great connection with Wheatley. However, this most likely will not be a problem as Collins has connected with Harbaugh and has been pretty vocal about how he believes Harbaugh truly cares about the players.

1. 5-star Aubrey Solomon is at the top of Michigan’s wish list for NSD. Solomon is the #2 defensive tackle, a position the Wolverines have been heavily recruiting in hopes to maintain their reputation of having one of the best defenses in the country. The 6-foot-3, 288 lb player is the #3 player in Georgia and has been offered by the University of Georgia. Along with Georgia, going into NSD Solomon is considering USC, Alabama, and Michigan. Michigan has had a rocky road while recruiting Solomon. Originally Solomon committed to Michigan in June 2016 and then decommitted in August after receiving a letter from Michigan misspelling his name and thanking him for attending an event he did not attend. As of now, Solomon and few others know his final decision. The 5-star recruit claims that his decision was based on a mix of academics and athletics. So what better place to come than the #1 public university in the country?

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Jabrill Peppers Draft Preview

1/30/2017

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By: Jeff Chan
     Jabrill Peppers enters the NFL Draft as a surefire first round prospect. He was the centerpiece of Michigan’s vaunted 2016 defense and his athleticism and instincts made him a devastating playmaker that made him a Heisman finalist and All-American. Having watched Jabrill Peppers play for the past two seasons, there’s a reason why he was considered to be Michigan’s best player and why NFL teams love his potential and skill set. 

    Strengths: Peppers is an incredibly versatile athlete. While his official position was linebacker, you could’ve considered him as a safety or a nickel cornerback. Michigan would line him up against opposing team’s slot receivers, matched him with the running back, or put him as the QB spy in the event Michigan faced a running QB like J.T. Barrett. He contributed on offense and was a dangerous punt returner. Peppers added an entirely new dimension to Michigan’s defense and offense, and his absence in the Orange Bowl was noticeable as Dalvin Cook managed to have some success rushing ball against Michigan’s incredibly strong run defense. 
     He is a reliable tackler in space and is incredibly effective in blowing up bubble screen passes to his side of the field. He is great in run support and his ability to cover sideline to sideline made him the most important asset in containing plays that attack the edge. When used as a blitzer, he was incredibly effective.
     As a returner, he has the chance to be the most explosive returner the league has seen since Devin Hester. So many times he had major returns, giving Michigan great field position to start their drives. He had one punt return for a touchdown this season against Colorado and could’ve had at least two more throughout the rest of the season if it weren’t for touchdown-cancelling penalties or turf monsters.
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    Weaknesses: Peppers’ coverage skills could use some work. Against Colorado he was responsible for a major coverage bust that led to a long Colorado touchdown pass. His small size for a linebacker sometimes caused him to get mauled by big offensive linemen. Other than that, there isn’t too much you can find wrong with what Jabrill Peppers brings to the table. Some say he lacked the ability to create turnovers, though turnovers are more luck than anything. His lack of interceptions stems from him playing linebacker so much that he wasn’t required to fall back into coverage as much.
     The biggest question mark is he does not have a natural position. Is he a safety? Is a corner? Is a linebacker? Some teams might shy away from him because they don’t know what to do with him.
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     Overall: Jabrill Peppers is going to amaze scouts at the combine and at any additional workouts afterwards. His athleticism and is going to win teams over. A creative defensive coordinator will come up with so many different ways to utilize Peppers on his defense and if used correctly, Jabrill Peppers will have a long NFL career. While current mock drafts have Peppers sliding, I think amazing workouts will push him back into the top 15. In the end I see the Cleveland Browns using their 12th overall pick to select Jabrill Peppers. It might not please the fan base, who also double as Ohio State fans, but if Jabrill Peppers plays to his potential, I think he will win them over in no time.
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Michigan Men's Basketball Set For Most Important Stretch of the Season

1/24/2017

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By: Alec Giese, Resident Seattle Guy
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When the Michigan Men’s Basketball team entered conference play at the beginning of January, this is far the situation they imagined they’d be in after the first 3 weeks. After earning a 10-3 record during non-conference play, with two tough losses on the road against current #8 UCLA and #23 South Carolina, the Wolverines now find themselves with a 13-7 record working their way out of the basement of the Big Ten Standings.

It’s not to say we expected the Wolverines to run the table in the Big Ten, but surely we thought they would be better than this. For a team that started with so much promise, winning the 2K Coaches Challenge with resounding wins against Marquette and SMU, the sub-par start to the Big Ten season has fans scratching their heads with what to expect from their Wolverines.

However, the season is far from over. Michigan is currently still on the bubble of making the NCAA Tournament, but time is running out for this team to find its stride. The Wolverines are about to start their most crucial stretch of the season, with their next seven games being Indiana, at Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan State, at Indiana, Wisconsin, and at Minnesota. Three rivalry games, two games against powerhouse Indiana, a game against ranked Wisconsin and a game at Minnesota, who has spent time in the top 25 this season.

For John Beilein’s squad, the time is now or never. If they can get hot and win five or six of the next seven games, they will add a significant amount of quality wins to their resume. And if they can continue that momentum through the rest of their Big Ten schedule and into the Big Ten Tournament, they will almost without a doubt be dancing in March. But it has to start now with a win against Indiana this Thursday at home. There is no more time for this team to find a leader or find their stride- they must find those things now. If they continue the inconsistency we have seen throughout the past two years, they will miss the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.

There is no doubt this team has the talent to be an NCAA Tournament team. In fact, one could make a strong argument that John Beilein has made the tournament with less talent, like in 2011 when the team was carried by the likes of Darius Morris, Zack Novak, and Stu Douglass. This team, in my opinion, has far more talent than that team who almost knocked off Duke in the second round, six years ago. They have one of the best guards in the league, Derrik Walton Jr., good shooters in Zak Irvin and Duncan Robinson, and two big men who can score 15 a game in DJ Wilson and Mo Wagner. There is no reason this team shouldn’t be able to get to the tournament.

Despite all the inconsistency this season, Michigan still has a chance to make something of their 2016-17 campaign. If they can scrap together two big wins against Indiana and Michigan State in the upcoming week, I like their chances. But if they drop both of them and fall to 3-6 in conference play, their season is likely over and Beilein will unfortunately be on the hot seat next season. I truly believe this is a tournament caliber team, but they have yet to show the rest of the country that. They have the opportunity to change their season around in the upcoming weeks, but for now all Michigan fans can do is pray that their team finally plays to its full potential.


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Who Should Make the NBA All-Star Teams

1/24/2017

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By: Bogart Lipe...Basketball Brain

This past Thursday, the NBA All Star starters were announced with some controversy. Assembling the lineups becomes even more difficult when you go a level deeper and try to differentiate who deserves to make the team and who doesn’t. Here are the remaining players from each conference that deserve to make their respective teams.  
           
West

Starters: Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, James Harden

Reserves:
Russell Westbrook (5-time All Star, 30.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 10.4 apg)
The ultimate All-Star Starter snub, Westbrook leads the league in scoring while averaging a triple double, a feat only Oscar Robertson has accomplished (in case you haven’t heard that enough). He’s the most exciting player to watch in the NBA, regardless of how you feel about his style of playing at one speed: being the most angry and vengeful player on the court every night. Sure, he’s shooting 42% from the field and 32% from 3, but do you really care? He’s going to be playing on the same team as KD for the first time since they split, OKC and Golden State play the week before the All Star Game (so Russ will still be charged up after taking another blowout loss), KD’s teammate Steph Curry stole Russ’ starter spot, AND we’re fresh off Zaza Pachulia standing over Westbrook after he sent him to the floor after a hard foul. This screams a 43 points 17 rebounds 3 assists on 12-40 shooting night for Russ as he takes home MVP and doesn’t once look at KD or any Warriors player the entire weekend.
Klay Thompson (2-time All Star, 21.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg)
Draymond Green (1-time All Star, 10.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 7.7 apg, 2.0 spg, 1.4 bpg)
DeMarcus Cousins (2-time All Star, 27.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 4.3 apg)
He’s never seen 30 wins in a season as a pro, but Cousins still gets another All Star appearance. He’s a good player on a bad team putting up stats, but the stats are too hard to ignore. His overall shooting percentage is a little lower than you’d like at 45%, but he’s now taking almost five 3s a game and making them at nearly 38%. Boogie gets in and enjoys the one weekend a year when he’s surrounded by players better than Omri Casspi.
DeAndre Jordan (12.6 ppg, 13.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg)
Damian Lillard (2-time All Star, 26.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.9 apg)
Chris Paul (9-time All Star, 18.7 ppg, 9.7 apg, 5.3 rpg)
Paul won’t play, as he was recently injured and will miss the next 6-8 weeks, but he’ll still get a nod, making him a 10-time All Star.
Marc Gasol (2-time All Star, 19.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.3 apg)
Gasol gets in because of the Paul injury. Mike Conley may deserve this spot more than his teammate, but Gasol has played in 10 more games and is a previous All Star, so he may get the benefit of the doubt.

Snubs:
Mike Conley  
CJ McCollum: More efficient than Dame, but just doesn’t have the same star power.
Gordon Hayward: The Jazz are 5th in the West and are the best defensive scoring team in the league by almost 4 points…
Rudy Gobert: …….and are a bad second round matchup for the Warriors…….
Karl-Anthony Towns: Still too young to get the benefit of the doubt as a good player on a, for now, bad team.


East

Starters: DeMar DeRozan, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler

Reserves:
Isaiah Thomas (1-time All Star, 28.7 ppg, 6.0 apg, 2.7 rpg)
Speaking of snubs, Isaiah deserved to be a starter just like Russ did. Thomas has been the second leading scorer in the NBA behind Russ and is the heart of a Celtics team hanging on to the 3 seed in the East. At 5’9” (in shoes), Isaiah has become one of the most exhilarating players to watch, not to mention he’s become a cold-blooded killer in the fourth quarter. He’ll get another All-Star appearance, but he should’ve been a starter this time.
John Wall (3-time All Star, 23.1 ppg, 10.3 apg, 4.5 rpg, 2.3 spg)
Kyle Lowry (2-time All Star, 22.3 ppg, 7.0 apg, 4.8 rpg, 1.7 spg)
Paul George (3-time All Star, 22.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.3 rpg, 1.8 spg)
Kevin Love (3-time All Star, 20.7 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 1.7 apg)
Andre Drummond (2-time All Star, 14.5 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 1.5 spg, 1.2 bpg)
The East leader in double-doubles, the young center (still only 23 years old) has been playing slightly fewer minutes and shooting less, but has become more efficient in every part of his game, including raising his FT% from a grotesque 35.5% to a slightly better, but still putrid, 43.5%. The Pistons have underperformed thus far, but with an increasingly active Andre on defense (he had 7 blocks and 3 steals in a recent game) coupled with an easy schedule the rest of the way, they should have a good chance to push for a playoff spot as the season goes on.
Joel Embiid (19.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.5 bpg)
The Process!!! Embiid has been spectacular, but his limited playing time slightly hurts his case. I’m willing to overlook that; in 25 minutes a game, he’s leading the East in blocks per game, putting up incredible numbers per 36 minutes (28/11/3.5 bpg) and the Sixers have been on a tear, winning 8 of 10 and sitting a few games behind the 8 seed. The playoffs are possible in Philadelphia, at least until an impending long losing streak that seems inevitable given Philly’s recent history. Plus there’s a lot on the line for young Embiid that should be considered, as he has claimed Rihanna won’t date him unless he becomes an All-Star. He gets in over other big men like Porzingis and Whiteside.

Snubs:
Kemba Walker: Gets left out, as the East can’t possibly have 5 point guards on the roster.
Hassan Whiteside: Similar stats to Drummond, but playing on a cellar dwelling team.
Kristaps Porzingis: PorzinGod gets beat out by his created-in-a-basketball-lab counterpart The Process, although I’d love to see a lineup with Isaiah, LeBron, Giannis, Porzingis, and Embiid on the floor at the same time. It would be absolute mayhem.


Game Prediction: 202-187 West with every scoring and 3 point All Star record being shattered.

MVP: Russell Westbrook

Most memorable plays/highlights: besides all the times Russ ices out KD (if Steve Kerr even dares to play the two of them together), Giannis will provide the most highlights and it might not end up being close. It’s entirely plausible he tries to dunk after picking up his dribble at half court and jumping from 18 feet. He’s a dark horse MVP if the East can somehow stay in the game against the barrage of 3s the West should be taking (and making).
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Michigan Women’s Basketball Splits Two on the Road

1/23/2017

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By: Emily Herard
After losing to No. 3 Maryland on Thursday, the Wolverines moved to 16-5 (5-2 Big Ten) on Sunday with a win over Nebraska.
1/19/17 vs. No. 3 Maryland
The Wolverines were able to keep it close against Maryland for three quarters and even had a one point lead late in the 3rd quarter, but were unable to pull off the upset and lost 83-70. Unable to stop center Brionna Jones (25 points, 10 rebounds), Michigan was hurt by a lack of communication on the defensive end and struggled to prevent points in the paint when Hallie Thome was on the bench. Junior Maria Backman, who hasn’t received many minutes this season, had a career high eight rebounds, bringing an important spark off the bench in the 2nd quarter for the Wolverines. Leading Michigan in scoring was junior guard Katelynn Flaherty with 30 points.
1/22/17 vs. Nebraska
​Entering Sunday’s game against Nebraska, the Wolverines had lost the previous five meetings against the Cornhuskers. Led by Flaherty (27 pts), Nicole Munger (18 pts), and Thome (15 pts) the Wolverines defeated Nebraska 84-51. Michigan was able to shut down Nebraska’s leading scorer Jessica Shepard (18 pts/gm), allowing her to score only four points. The Wolverines continued their dominance from downtown, shooting 45% from three. On the defensive end Michigan was led by junior Jillian Dunston, as the Wolverines forced 22 Nebraska turnovers leading to 27 points off turnovers.
Looking Forward to Northwestern
Michigan is now third in the Big Ten behind Maryland and Ohio State and will play fourth place Northwestern (15-4, 4-2) on Wednesday night at 7 pm at Crisler. As the Wolverines look to continue their strong play in the Big Ten, they must continue to grow as a team on the defensive end of the floor. Increased communication and defensive rotation will be key against dangerous offenses like the upcoming Wildcats. Coach Kim Barnes Arico will look for seniors Siera Thompson and Danielle Williams to guide the freshmen in practice and in games to improve defensive awareness.

​Tune in to WCBN’s broadcast of Michigan Women’s Basketball Wednesday night at 7 pm vs. Northwestern.

Source: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-baskbl/archive/bkw-statistics.html

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There Is No Sports

1/17/2017

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By: Marius Lex
I am desperate! There hasn’t been any football (soccer) on for weeks. The Bundesliga is on it’s winter break ever since December 17th and I don’t really know what to do with myself. The next Champions League game is in February. The same goes for the German National Cup. Sure, the African Cup is on but let’s be honest here, who cares about that? So, what am I supposed to do now?

Watch American football? Unfortunately I was bored to death just last week by accidentally tuning into The Bachelor.

Watch baseball? Baseball can be fun to watch but the fact that I have no motivation whatsoever to find out whether there are baseball games on anywhere, is a pretty good indicator for how much I care about it.

Watch ice-hockey? If I want to see a bunch of toothless guys beat each other up in a game I don’t understand and probably will never understand, I might as well go right ahead and watch WrestleMania 4000.

Watch cricket? Haha, that one always cracks me up!

I know, deep in my mind, that there is one sport I am at least slightly interested in, apart from football (soccer) and that is basketball. I mean yes, it’s basically 10 guys running from one side of a field to the other, throwing a ball through a hoop every 30 seconds until one teams fails to do so and loses, but it looks fun on TV! The crowd always goes crazy in basketball matches, too. That is what’s very important to me, as a football (soccer) fan: The atmosphere.

Actually, the WCBN Sports crew is going to the next basketball game at Chrysler together... until they read this. Now they’ll probably uninvite me... And rightfully so! If I judged football (soccer) as hard as all the American sports – and cricket – it would sound just as boring and stupid. 22 guys running from one side of a field to the other, trying to kick a ball into a net once every 90 minutes.

That sounds dumb as fudge, doesn’t it? So what was the reason for me to write this article again? Well, since I caught the attention of pretty much every European by making fun of American sports – and cricket – I now want to deliver this  message to them: Give American sports – and cricket – a chance to make you feel just as passionate and emotional as football (soccer) does. Well, actually not cricket, because cricket is really boring, no matter how you look at it; but the American sports. Sure, there are enough interruptions in an American football game to last an entire football (soccer) season and, yes, spotting the puck in an ice-hockey match is probably the greatest achievement of a man’s lifetime. However, you cannot let you keep that from loving the heat, from feeling the same thing 20.000 other fans are feeling right there with you in that moment, when you all cry, laugh, scream and shout together.
​
Sports! Sports are about friendship and emotions. They’re about letting out a side of you, you wouldn’t show anywhere else and maybe didn’t even know you had. That is what all sports are about. And that’s what all sports have in common – except for cricket. There is no such thing as “no sports”! You just have to let new sports capture your heart! And that’s what I will do until the greatest sport of them all returns next weekend!
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Hawks Pulling Paul Millsap Off the Trade Block Should Not Be a Surprise

1/11/2017

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​After the Hawks traded away Kyle Korver to the Cavaliers for a first round pick, Mike Dunleavy, and Mo Williams, many were convinced that the move was the start of a fire sale.  If the Hawks did decide to blow up their team, Paul Millsap would be guaranteed to go.  This gave hope to borderline contenders like the Raptors and Celtics who believe they’re are one piece away from winning a title.  Paul Millsap can be the piece that puts a team over the hump into title contention. 
                  Paul Millsap trade rumors at the deadline is one of the NBA’s yearly traditions along with Lebron going to the finals, Derrick Rose getting injured, and the Clippers losing in the second round, yet people STILL get surprised when the Hawks decide not to trade him.  Now, the Hawks announcing that they’re not trading Millsap doesn’t guarantee that he won’t be moved.  The deadline is on February 23 and a lot can happen in six weeks, but it will come as no shock when the deadline passes and Millsap remains in Atlanta.  Atlanta should not blow up their team.  They’re the fourth seed in the East and have just as good as shot as any other Eastern Conference team to reach the finals in the event that the Cavs suffer a catastrophic injury (I’m not going to name names and jinx it).  Despite what many believe, trading Korver is not an admission of defeat.  He is 35 years old, averaging less than 10 PPG, was recently relegated to a bench role, and would definitely not have re-signed with the team when his contract expired this offseason.  The fact that Atlanta was able to get a first round pick, albeit a late one, is impressive.  It may feel like a gut punch to Atlanta as they are losing a key member of the (sorta) historic 2015 team.  The bottom line is that this trade was a win-win and a smart decision by GM Wes Wilcox.  This team is not significantly different than they were before the trade, and it should be business as usual for the Hawks.
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