Michigan Thursday: That is Better!

Michigan Basketball has played 3 games this season, but with the trip to Europe and the exhibition season, it seems like we have seen them play a ton of games.   None of them have been impressive so far until last night.  Marquette was not good last year but Shaka Smart knows how to coach basketball and has rebuilt this basketball team, even though he has flamed out at a number of places.  

Michigan finally used their bigs and mixed in good 3 point shooting to put the Big East team away.  This type of balanced scoring will win the Wolverines a lot of games this season:

Estrella 18

Cadeau 17

McKenney 15

Costello 15

Thiam 9 

Gayle 7 

Michigan did better on defense and rebounding in this game.  They also stopped the dumb fouls.  Still they seem to struggle to get open shots in the half court offense and will need to work the pick and roll to Thiam better as it was still pretty shaky.  Michigan got up comfortably in the 2nd half by 20 points then gave half of it away before turning it on again and knocking out Marquette.  

I still haven't got a 30 minute performance from McKenny where his offense is consistent. Costello is a knock down shooter and I'm excited to see how his game develops.   If Michigan can get there and Gayle stops dribbling off his knee, they are going to be tough to beat and should be in every game.  

Michigan won the match-up between Jordan schools with similar colorways 84-70.

Please see the post below for the Big Ten Weekend Match-ups if your so inclined. 

Big Ten Weekend Preview Week 11

This has been a very strange year for the Big Ten, currently it only has two ranked teams in the top 10 and its #9 Indiana and #4 UCLA.   Neither team has looked unstoppable this year.   This week there are no match-ups to get excited. 

Friday Night:

Illinois @ UCLA (-10):  The Bruins who have one good win over Oregon and a lot of Purdue type wins, will face another non-descript Big Ten.   The game will be close for a half and then UCLA will pull away.  UCLA 28 Illinois 14 

Saturday:

Northwestern @ OSU (-14):  There was some hope that the Wildcats might have something this year and then they didn't.  Ohio State is not going to lose 3 games in a row.  OSU 31 NW 20 

Wisconsin (-8.5) @ Maryland:  I would like to give you a reason to watch this game.  But I got nothing.  Wisconsin 24 Maryland 10 

Nebraska (-14.5) @ Rutgers:  Will Nebraska make a Bowl Game?  Wow, what an accomplishment!  I don't know how the Cornhusker fans live with this type of football.  I'm out of my mind as a Michigan fan this year.  Nebraska 20 Rutgers 17 

USC @ IU (-10):  This is an interesting game, as Lincoln Riley fights for his career in LA and IU continues to sneak into the playoffs.  USC traditionally does not travel East well but has shown sparks this year.  IU 21 USC 20 

Washington (-3.5) @ MSU:  Sparty has had a good week.  They won their Super Bowl over the down Wolverines on Saturday and this week the Basketball team beat Duke.  Time for a let down.  Wash 31 MSU 21 

Minnesota @ Penn State (-9.5):  The Golden Gophers almost row the boat every year but it always has holes in it and sinks.  Penn State is Iowa State.  Both teams 5-4.  Penn State 13 Minnesota 10 

Purdue @ Iowa (-17.5):  This is the NBC Night Game.  What a joke.  Iowa 31 Purdue 17 

Wolverine Wednesday: It Doesn't Seem Like Its Getting Any Better

Since today is Veterans Day, I want to thank all the BHB readers that served our country.  My father and my grandfather served, its the greatest of all honors and Thank You for your service! 

Kyle Whittingham was hired to bring stability and quiet excellence to Ann Arbor.  The Wolverine program has seen great heights in recent times but that came with an assortment of off the field issues.  Michigan fired Sherrone Moore very late in the off season coaching search cycle and there weren't many options for the Wolverines to choose from.  

Kyle won the off season but very little after that.  His offense is the worst in the country and he looks completely disconnected from his team and staff during game days.  Most of the time his mic on his headset is pointed towards the sky.   He looks like a coaching zombie roaming the sidelines.  

Kyle fired his OC on Sunday and now the news continues to get worse as Nate Marshall has been suspended from the team.  Is Kyle now losing the locker room?  There is also some concern with Jim Harding and the Sprague situation.  

Michigan on Saturday faces a hot Oregon team that also went through issues this season, but has seemingly come out the other side.  Many Big 10 teams struggle when making such a long trip West and even though Michigan has a solid defense, they are not really expected to score against the Ducks and currently a 11.5 dog. 

So the road filled with gold and roses into retirement continues to look more like a long walk on a short bridge.  The game has based him bye and Utah knew it and Michigan will pay millions to come to that same conclusion. 

Thank goodness basketball season is here!  They take on Marquette at Crisler at 7:00.

• So Sparty is having a good week. Wolverines go down on Saturday and Duke on Tuesday. 

• Rutgers who can't afford any type of buyout will continue on with Greg Schiano next season.  Lucky them! 

Michigan Tuesday: Time is Not on Your Side Kyle

Kyle didn't come to Michigan to learn about Michigan Football and coach a Top 10 team.  He came to save face after Utah pushed him out and to ride off into retirement with a nice contract.  He finally had the resources and recruiting he needed to take his former mediocre results and turn them into championships.

Guess what Kyle, we have had way too many examples of that failing and you are doing and excellent job of failing spectacularly.  Yes, the Beck firing gets you a few more weeks.  But those weeks are a trip to Oregon and Columbus, while hosting a top 5 UCLA.   Your days are number my friend.  

BTW, regarding trophy games still left.  Michigan and OSU don't play for a trophy but if you knew anything about college football, its the top rivalry in football and maybe all of sports.   Thanks for coming to Ann Arbor, I hope your home sells quickly.  

How does Michigan fix this mess?

1. Michigan needs to hire a very strong AD.  This person needs business experience not necessarily academic experience.  They need to understand Michigan and what Michigan needs.  It's a unique place with unique needs.  No not a David Brandon type of hire, a Jim Hackett type of hire. 

2. Fire Kyle the Sunday after the OSU Game.  This year could not have gone any worse. 

Go drop a huge bag on Bob Chesney of UCLA.  Michigan needs a young smart aggressive football coach that runs to work everyday.  I also like the ring to Big House Bob! 😀  Bob, will get to see Ann Arbor and the Big House in person in two weeks. 

3. Start to rebuild this battle ship.  It doesn't take years anymore with the transfer portal, Michigan can have a good team next year with the right leadership. 

• As College Football continues to morph into a professional football.  The 2027 24 team playoff that nobody asked for is now official and the death of the Big Ten Championship game has happened next season.  This will be the last year of the Big 10 Championship game in Indy. 

• It really is time for the the Group of 6 leagues to have their own playoffs.  Play on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and crown a National Champion.  I would assume the Bowl Games are now dead as well. 

• Michigan Basketball after a bit of a rough UConn game plays Marquette on Wednesday.