The Wolverine

April 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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MICHIGAN BASKETBALL 3. Daniel Horton 4. Zack Novak 5. Stu Douglass 1. Louis Bullock 2. Dion Harris Three-Pointers Made 10. Jalen Rose 6. LaVell Blanchard 7. Robbie Reid 8. Manny Harris 9. Glen Rice 11. Tim Hardaway Jr. 339 268 233 213 204 189 160 142 135 124 123 themselves as two of the most pro- ductive three-point shooters in Michi- • Novak and Douglass established gan history. Meanwhile, sophomore Tim Hardaway Jr. entered the NCAA Tournament needing just one three- pointer to crack U-M's top 10. 1. Glen Rice Three-Point Percentage 2. Sean Higgins 3. Louis Bullock 10. Daniel Horton 6. Evan Smotrycz 7. Demetrius Calip 8. LaVell Blanchard 9. Zack Novak 4. Dommanic Ingerson 41.9 5. Robbie Reid 48.0 44.8 42.3 40.3 39.9 39.8 39.0 36.2 35.8 turing a share of the Big Ten championship this season? Brandon: "It's huge. It's huge in every way. It's huge be- Five Questions With Athletics Director David Brandon The Wolverine: What are your thoughts on Michigan cap- cause of the investment that we've made in the new arena, in the New Player Development Center, the fact that we're going out and recruiting a different level of player, and the fact that it positions us as champions for the first time in 26 years. "It's a tremendous step forward for served in John Beilein as a coach that plays into this increasing success? Brandon: "Organizations are a re- the program, and I'm proud of John and his staff, and certainly of these kids for going out and representing us in a really important and positive way. The Wolverine: What have you ob- " flection of their leader. John Beilein is a very resilient, tough guy. He's disci- plined, and he knows what he wants. He knows what he's looking for, and he really works the kids hard to conform to his system. "If you look at what has really pulled 11. Dion Harris 11. Trey Burke 13. Stu Douglass 14. Jerod Ward 15. Jalen Rose 16. Tim Hardaway Jr. 16. Jamal Crawford 18. Gavin Groninger 19. Manny Harris 20. Laval Lucas-Perry 35.5 35.5 34.1 33.9 33.6 32.7 32.7 32.3 31.8 31.6 this year's roster who are, percent- age-wise, among the top 20 three- point shooters in the history of the program. ❑ • Michigan features five players on quarterfinals]. Zack went the whole night without making a shot, but when we really needed one, there he was. Stu had the same kind of a deal. "The chemistry of any team is important, and those two "Look at [the Minnesota game of the Big Ten Tournament leaders may not show up in the stats as impressively as some of the other players, but they're equally important in the role they play. ture, with the younger players and the talent heading for Ann Arbor? Brandon: "The future is bright. We The Wolverine: What about the fu- " have some great young men coming in to join the program. We're going to miss those seniors, big time. But we've got the talent, and we now have that taste of victory. These kids will be wearing a Big Ten championship ring next year when they start that season. "It was once said, the trouble with When talking about U-M's future, Brandon said, "All of us who love Michigan men's basketball have a lot to look forward to." us through this season, it's John and Bacari [Alexander] and LaVall [Jordan] and Jeff [Meyer], who are really preaching this concept of team. In every game, somebody else steps up. If somebody is cold, somebody else gets hot. They're always fighting until the very end, and that's all you can ever expect. "That comes from leadership. I also think we've got a couple of great captains there." about Zack Novak and Stu Douglass? Brandon: "Zack and Stu are the glue that holds this whole The Wolverine: Can you expand a little on your thoughts thing together. They're the calm, they're the poise and con- fidence, they're the experience, the been there, done that guys. You can see how the young players just migrate to- wards them. "What I love about them is, they're quite happy to dish the PHOTO BY ERIC BRONSON/BRONSONPHOTO.COM is presently in process in Ann Arbor, with the final phase of construction at Crisler Center. Can you comment on what's taking place there? Brandon: "We're already planning the dedication week for The Wolverine: Part of what fans are looking forward to " success is, you have to keep on being successful. They've tasted it, they know what they're capable of. All of us who love Michigan men's basketball have a lot to look forward to. that facility. They're on schedule, and they're going to stay on schedule. It's too important for them not to be on schedule. "A lot of people don't understand how transformed that ball off, to be a role player. They're not hungry to take shots. They don't take bad shots. They set up the guys who are re- ally out there producing, but when there is a moment and they're called upon to make that shot, they make it. 54 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 facility is going to be when we get done with it. The arena is beautiful, and the Player Development Center is beautiful. But what is about to happen, in terms of the concourses, and the amenities, and just the feel of that building … it's going to go from an old, tired, dark, narrow building, to something that will be as good as anything out there. "Our fans are going to really enjoy it, and our players are " — John Borton going to really enjoy it. Our coaches are going to enjoy it, because recruiting young men and women to come and play in a facility like that gets a lot easier.

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