Michigan Monday: Big Week for Michigan Basketball

Michigan Basketball is really good when they don't play down to the competition.  UCLA came in on Saturday for a strange 12:45 tip and found themselves only down 2 points at the half.  The Bruins left Ann Arbor with a 30 point loss.  Mick Cronin went from getting technical fouls in the first half to sitting in disbelief in the 2nd. 

It's really hard to nit pick this team but of course I have a couple.   I don't like the big line changes that Dusty does sometimes.  Of course, that gives the starter's rest, but it also seems to bring the opponent back into the game. Michigan also starts most game by shooting too many 3's. Michigan can get anything they want in the lane and they are shooting quick 3's.   Lastly, I believe Gayle needs to understand his role at bit better.   Last year, Michigan Basketball needed him to score, this year we need Rodney to play great defense, get rebounds, and get the ball to the scores on offense.  He continues to force the ball in the post for wild layups and often turns the ball over. 

Michigan is so much better with Yax on the floor.  He is an elite defender, great ball distributor, and can get buckets.  Dusty realizes that and that is the reason he is rarely is off the floor in the 2nd half. 

Now on to this week.  Michigan has to travel to Purdue tomorrow night for a top 15 top 10 match-up and then to DC for a neutral site game against top 5 top 3 Duke.  So here is my question, if Michigan has to go 1-1 this week, which team do you want to beat?

If Michigan beats Purdue, they continue to lead the Big Ten by a couple games.  

If Michigan beats Duke, they make waves nationally, and its Duke! Of course, this game has zero effect on the Big Ten regular season championship.  

• Update: Michigan has a new number in front of their name in the AP poll.  It's a good number and one that Ricky Bobby likes a lot.  No need to dwell on it, lots of work to do this week and the rest of the season. 

This might be crazy but I would rather beat Duke.   Let's just go 2-0 and make this dumb question, even dumber. 

• Michigan Baseball opens their season 3-0.  Seems strange to think about Michigan Baseball in February. 

• Michigan has hired Vandy Co-DC and  DL Coach Larry Black as its next DL coach.  Fun fact, Larry is the brother of Jibreel Black who was a former defensive lineman at Michigan.   This seems to be a solid hire.