Michigan Tuesday: Still #3

Michigan accomplished one of its goals on Friday night.  They secured the Big Ten Title all to themselves.  Now, there are two more goals still out there.  #2 is win the Big Ten Tournament and #3 is clearly the NCAA Tournament.  Both of those goals just got a little tougher with the loss of Cason to an ACL injury.  

To reach both goals its important Michigan finishes with a 2-0 record this week.   They travel on Thursday to Iowa who is a 20 win team and face instate rival #8 ranked MSU on Sunday at Crisler.  These games are not important for the Big Ten Championship seeding, they are important for Michigan's NCAA seeding and hopefully a #1 seed. 

Who is going to play back up point guard?  I expect to see Yax play some point forward and Trey McKinney to replace Cason in many situations.   The wild card of course is Roddy Gayle and if he can find his game again.  If you remember last season, he was in an incredibly bad slump to end the season and then found his game in the post season.   We need him to find his game in a similar fashion this year.  His game lately has been about poor decisions on driving the basketball, missed 3's, and turnovers.   If he continues to play defense, rebound, and distribute the ball, he will find his offense.

Michigan continues to be ranked #3 as Duke has been beating everyone by 30 after their Michigan win. 

• Glasgow got released by the Lions yesterday.  He has had a tremendous run for a college walk-on.  He spent 7 years with the Lions and if he is healthy I expect him to sign with another NFL team. 

• The Lions also traded RB David Montgomery yesterday and got an offensive lineman and 2 draft picks from the Texans.  This was a smart trade by Detroit, RB's have a very short shelf life in the NFL and the Lions have way too many other needs. 

• I know there was some news about Michigan's former head coach and a former staffer this weekend.  I wanted you to understand where I am at news regarding that former coach.   News of what that former head coach did or didn't do while at Michigan or his legal troubles is only relevant to this blog on the employment or loss of employment for Michigan's athletics director.   I understand that the latest news is disturbing and should come with serious consequences for both men involved.  This was one of the worst hires in the history of the program and I hope to never hear his name again.  Michigan should also be looking for a new AD.  I know getting Dusty was a great hire, but it still doesn't make up for the lack of leadership with the football team the last 3-4 years. 

• Vincent Gray has signed with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL 

Michigan Monday: Looking Back at Illinois

I was worried about this game and thought it was going to be difficult for Michigan to win.   Michigan played poorly against Duke and then followed it up with a sleepy effort against an under maned Minnesota squad.  I mentioned here that this will be a difficult test for Dusty who had to reset his team to be ready to play in a few days and take a trip to top 10 Illinois. 

In Dusty we trust and he and his squad showed up for Rez (Mortez Johnson) who transferred from Illinois and played one of its best games of the year.  The house was completely sold out and the fans were getting on Johnson during warm ups and through the game.   Michigan played smart and relied on the low post game and then the 3's started to fall.   It was a great team effort and Michigan won by 14 points and the game wasn't even that close.  

The bad news is we found out on Saturday Cason tore his ACL during the 1st half.  He did come back in the 2nd and even scored a bucket before the knee pain got too intense.  This is a tough loss for the Wolverines as he was instant energy off the bench and was one of the best performers on the team in the back half of the season.   This means two things, 1 - Gayle has to wake up as he has played poorly while again in his Big 10 slump and 2- time for more McKinney.   Gayle has played too much basketball to not understand his role and McKinney will be asked to handle the ball more often. 

Michigan Friday: Illinois Challenge

Dusty has his hands full this week.  He decided to play Duke instead of resting the team last weekend and the Wolverines looked completely gassed against Minnesota on Tuesday.   Now Michigan has a trip to the #10 ranked Fighting Illini tonight.  Which will also be a Morez Johnson Jr. homecoming.

This might be a tough spot for the Wolverines. This team loves difficult challenges but hasn't played good basketball in over a week.   Time for Dusty to show what type of coach he is.  The schedule does not get any easier with a trip to Iowa next Thursday and a regular season finish against MSU (who upset Purdue last night). 

• Jaishawn Barham posted a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.  

• Looks like the undefeated Miami Redhawks practiced at Crisler yesterday as they prepare to play Western tonight.

• Michigan is expected to get an unofficial from 2027 5 star DL Marcus Fakatou

Michigan Thursday: Having Some Fun With Koy

 This is Michigan's new QB Coach Koy Detmer Jr.:

If Koy was not coaching QB's at Michigan, what would he be doing?

• A bartender in an old west salon?
• A deputy that works with the Sherriff to hunt down Billy the Kid?
• A work hand on the Yellowstone Ranch that is taken to the "train station" early in an episode?
• A long reliever for the KC Royals in the 70's?

What you got BHB community? 😀