The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
from our readers tained interest in basketball. However, if you are any kind of a University of Michigan sports fan, you could not ignore the Michigan Wolverine basketball team this season. There were many Big Ten Michigan games that were close and exciting, with Ohio State, Wisconsin, MSU and IU quickly coming to mind. It was fun having Michigan in the No. 1 spot, if just for a week. If you watched the national championship game, you watched a 12-point first-half lead by Michigan evaporate in less than four minutes. The rest of the game was an onthe-edge-of-your-seat game until Trey Burke was called for a foul on Peyton Siva, which in my eyes was a block, not a foul. The outcome could have gone either way until that point. In the NCAA Tournament, Michigan rolled through South Dakota State, VCU and Florida, with the Kansas and Syracuse wins thrillers that fit my original thesis of "first half doesn't matter." The bizarre dynamics were in play. I would like the team that started the national championship game to return intact for next year. Realistically, that will not happen. The basketball program has had a steady forward progress. Thanks, Coach Beilein. Playing in the championship game will be a catalyst for recruiting. I believe that the championship game proved that some of those players are not yet ready for the next level. Last time I checked, though, no one asked me. If a cer- tain player had not left early for the NBA, perhaps Michigan would not have landed a certain very special player. We have all enjoyed his play along with his teammates the last two seasons. His only missing achievement might be a national championship. In any case, it seems strange to be anticipating the next Michigan basketball season on the brink of the football season, but rest assured, I am. J. Richard Jaconette, M.D. Battle Creek, Mich. It seems strange that you would NOT be riveted on basketball, given your profession and initial initial, Dr. J., but no matter. This program is welcoming all newcomers. Ready For The Rise Dear The Wolverine: When Notre Dame hired Brian Kelly as head coach, I knew it was only a matter of time before Notre Dame would be back as one of the country's perennial powerhouse football teams. Likewise, when Michigan hired Brady Hoke and his gifted coaching staff, I knew it was only a matter of time before Michigan would also be back as one of the country's perennial powerhouse teams and a year in, year out contender for the Big Ten championship and national recognition. But I have to occasionally pinch myself to believe he's accomplished so much success so quickly. Turning around the team's fortunes with an 11-2 record in the 2011 season was