The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/614487
In six games before suffering a lower-body injury against Dartmouth Nov. 28, Racine had allowed just 1.91 goals per game. When healthy, Racine is likely the guy. Which rookie forward is the most important to U-M's success? Kyle Connor led the Wolverines in scoring with 15 points in 13 games through Dec. 8, and he occupies a key role on Michigan's first line. However, class- mate Cooper Marody may be more important because of his post as the third-line center. Michigan has consistently stuck with the same three lines all year, putting freshman Brendan Warren on Marody's left wing and sophomore Tony Calde- rone on the right side. Combined, the three have 16 goals and 17 assists, ranking second amongst the forward lines with 33 points, just two goals shy of the top line's 18 mark- ers. The key to Michigan's offense this year has been the ability to roll three capable scoring lines out against the opponents, and thus Marody's role as the center of his line, makes him the most valuable freshman. Who will win the Big Ten? Only two teams in the Big Ten, Michigan (8-2-3) and Penn State (10-2-3) had winning records through Dec. 8. Minnesota was inching closer, at 6-7-0, following a Dec. 4-5 weekend sweep of Ohio State. The Wolverines and Golden Gophers remain the most talented, but the Nittany Lions continue to overachieve in year four of the program's varsity status, playing with a grittiness and underdog mentality that makes them U-M's chief competition. Penn State has had Michigan's number, going 6-3-0 against the Wolverines in two seasons, including a 3-1 mark in State College. Michigan does not play well against PSU, and its inability to do so could tip the crown to the Blue and White. Will Michigan make the NCAA Tournament? The Wolverines need RPI, Robert Morris, Boston University and Union to keep playing well and win at a high level because every Big Ten defeat U-M suffers will have a significant impact on Michigan's Pairwise Ranking. The margin for error is razor thin, with Michigan probably needing 15 con- ference wins to put itself in a strong at-large position in case it does not win the Big Ten Tournament. But 15 wins will be difficult to achieve — U-M won 12 and 10 games in league play the past two seasons, while Minnesota won the league with 12 and 14 victories, respectively. Will this be Red Berenson's final season? We thought it would be before the season began and we are even more confident now, sources within the hockey program confirming that they believe 2015-16 will be it for the legend. — Michael Spath