The Wolverine

May 2017 Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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66 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2017 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan head coach John Beilein was introduced to a standing ovation at the sold-out Basketball Banquet April 12, proving once again what a difference a few months makes. On Feb. 4, many U-M basketball fans took to message boards, radio shows and office water coolers to express their displeasure with the di- rection of the program. The Wolver- ines had just lost to an average Ohio State team, 70-66 — at home, no less — to drop to 4-6 in the conference. If there had been any goodwill left from two Big Ten titles, a national championship game appearance and Elite Eight showing just a few years earlier, it disappeared that af- ternoon for many. "He only won because of Trey Burke," some said, ignoring the fact that the Wolverines captured the 2013-14 Big Ten title by three games not with Burke, but with a freshman point guard named Derrick Walton. "They're not tough enough," oth- ers lamented, pointing to rebound- ing statistics as their proof. Beilein has long given up trying to convince people that there are other ways to win, and he doesn't need to. The proof is in the results. Yes, basketball is a possession game — and yes, rebounding is one way to earn more shots. Protecting the ball is another. The Wolverines led the country in fewest turnovers committed this year (only 9.2 per game) and were 13th in turnover margin, averaging 3.4 per game less than their opponents. The time spent on fundamentals in practice is a big reason. It's also a huge factor in Michi- gan's elite offensive performances year in, year out — at least when the Wolverines are healthy, which they haven't been the two seasons prior to this one. Those who would rather see a 20-turnover squad that rebounds the hell out of the ball have their choice of Big Ten schools to root for. Of course, many of them are looking for new coaches or have already had head coach turnover in recent years. Even though Beilein's job was never in jeopardy, some fans thought it was time for Michigan to join those searching for a new bas- ketball boss. Nine weeks, a Big Ten Tourna- ment title and NCAA Sweet 16 run later, only the ridiculously stubborn weren't singing a different tune. And while many of them were among those starting rumors that U-M director of athletics Warde Manuel was becoming impatient with the program halfway through this season, Manuel debunked those himself after the Wolverines won the Big Ten Tournament. "I've been very impressed by everything that I've seen from this team and this coaching staff," he told MLive.com. "I appreciate fans and them having the right and the desire to comment, but … I make judgments based on how I feel the program is moving. I never even gave it any thought." It should also be noted that Man- uel's son, Evan, is a freshman man- ager for Beilein's team. "He's a person I want my son around," Manuel said. "… His in- tegrity is unquestioned — the way he is and the way he's operated for all these years." He also happens to be the most successful Michigan basketball coach ever, having won 215 games. His team this year handed eight dif- ferent opponents their worst loss of the year, including Michigan State when the Wolverines mauled the Spartans by 29. And despite the injuries, includ- ing season-enders to Caris LeVert (now in the NBA) for the last half of the last two seasons prior to this one and losing Walton for half the sea- son two years ago, his senior class has won 93 games. Just three years ago, ESPN.com named him the nation's ninth-best coach. "It took Beilein a lifetime to get to where he is now: indubitably suc- cessful, at the head of a well-funded, high-major program, in charge of a tenacious group of assistant coaches and recruiters," ESPN.com wrote. "And now, finally, the rest of us are getting to see just how good he re- ally is." A year later his peers voted him the best offensive coach in the country in a CBSSports.com poll, and Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams was among those to come to his defense after U-M fell to the Hokies early this season. "Coach is a way better coach than I am," Williams said. "That's why I was asking what he was saying [when I came in here], so I could learn from it. He's a Hall of Fame coach." The late Bo Schembechler said it best: "When your team is win- ning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is los- ing, stick by them. Keep believing." Words to the wise for those fans who still don't appreciate how good they've got it. ❏ Chris Balas has been with The Wolver- ine since 1997, working part time for five years before joining the staff full time in 2002. Contact him at cbalas@ thewolverine.com and follow him on Twitter at Balas_Wolverine. INSIDE MICHIGAN   CHRIS BALAS Vindicated … Again When Michigan lost to Ohio State at home Feb. 4, that dropped its record to 14‑9 overall and 4‑6 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines went 12‑3 the rest of the year under John Beilein. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN

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