The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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the competitiveness notion underscored by Beilein. They are fiercely committed to driving themselves and their teammates to a higher level. "We're very competitive," Burke said. "That's what so special about Tim, as well as myself. We hate to lose at anything. In practice, we'll do a six-point drill where everyone goes one-on-one against each other. That helps the team, because it allows us to get better at taking your man off the dribble. "We do a lot of shooting drills to compete in practice. We just hate to lose in those types of things. We want to win at everything. As long as we keep that mindset and stay focused, we'll continue to get better. That's the biggest thing." "We're playing against each other, and being the so-called best backcourt in the country, we really try to emphasize making each other better," Hardaway added. "I think we do a great job of that, once we're out there. We're trying to set the intensity in practice and for the games. We just want to make it game-like." Hardaway cited attendance of the LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas last summer as a significant event in terms of the two reaching even greater personal common ground. The camp features the top 20 players, regardless of position, from other Nike skills academies. The two worked on more than oncourt efficiency, Hardaway offered. "Playing in LeBron, hearing what he did in high school, hearing how he looks at things out on the court, and learning how he is off the court makes a difference," Hardaway said. "He's a great guy off the court. He's really quiet, but he just tries to be the best player he can. "It definitely was a chemistry builder for us. It's getting better and better as the season goes on." Check The Egos Dakich has broadcast a number of Michigan games over the past two years, and watched the development of both players into leaders for Beilein's crew. He, like Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery, likes how the Wolverines seem to play without major ego eruptions on a very talented roster. "Obviously, they have great talent," Dakich said. "Burke has been so good, and Hardaway as well. I think they've grown up. "Hardaway, last year, had some instances where he acted a tad immature, which you're going to have. But this year they've really grown up. They seem to play egoless." Dakich pointed to Michigan's nonconference win over North Carolina State, in which Burke didn't score in the first half but racked up nine assists without showing any frustration. He finished with 18 points and 11 assists in Michigan's 79-72 triumph. Dakich played and coached at Indiana under Bob Knight before becoming a head coach himself, and he appreciates that sort of deportment. He's always liked the way Burke carries himself, including a freshman season of helping direct