The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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have gone differently, but overall, it's still a good year." There were tears, especially across the way, where Morgan faced his fi- nal Michigan locker room moments. But no argument, regarding what lies ahead. A fortnight later, when Stauskas and Robinson confirmed their leap into the NBA Draft process, Stauskas assured that no one need weep very long for Michigan basketball. "I think we're leaving this program in great hands," Stauskas insisted. "There are a bunch of hard-working guys who have been through a lot these last couple of years, along with our coaching staff. "They've shown what they can do with players who are willing to work. We've got a great recruiting class coming in next year. I feel like this program is still on the rise. The amount of things they can achieve is limitless at this point. As long as they stay committed to working and listen to these coaches, they're going to be fine." ❑ Jordan Morgan Witnesses Mighty Turnaround Under John Beilein When Jordan Morgan committed to play basketball for John Beilein at Michigan some six years ago, it wasn't as if the youngster had hopped aboard a jet-engine steamroller. The Wolverines had yet to snap a decade-long NCAA Tournament drought, hadn't won the Big Ten championship since 1986 and based more hope on Beilein's past than a certain future. "It was in shambles," Morgan said, regarding the rebuilding program. "It's much different than now. You've got a national championship appearance, Elite Eight, a couple of Big Ten championships. Some of our first games, people didn't even come to the games. "It's a big change, and you just hope that we continue to build, and those that come after you just continue what you worked so hard to build." Here's a look at how the building process has played out, over the course of Morgan's career: • One national championship game appearance. • Two Elite Eight seasons, back to back. • Four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. • A top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, including No. 2 this year, Michigan's best since 1993. • Two Big Ten championships. • A Big Ten Tournament championship game appearance. • A 119-58 overall record. • A 56-34 Big Ten Conference record. • A 40-14 Big Ten record over the past three seasons, the best in the confer- ence.