Michigan Monday: Continuation of the Good Building Vibes

The University of Michigan loves Lucas Oil Stadium, it has given them 3 Big Ten Championships in Football and now a dominating Final 4 win.  Lets hope that good building "feels" continues until Midnight tonight.  

I love nights like this one, it just feels good to be alive and care about something so deeply.  Yes, this is a kids game and yes, on Tuesday we need to go on with our regular lives, but for 2.5 hours tonight we get to live and have passion for something we have zero control over.  I'm going to miss this team, maybe not since the Fab 5 has a Michigan Basketball team been so appointment level viewing for me.  Yes, Coach B's teams were really good and a couple should've won the National Championship.  But for one reason or another, this team just stuck a cord with me and I didn't want to miss a game.  

As for tonight, I'm concerned about Yax and didn't like him limping around doing interviews, etc yesterday.  I was hoping for some sleep magic and he would feel better on Sunday, that didn't seem to happen.  His injury is not structural which is a bonus, but that doesn't help it feel any better.  Michigan needs Yax and I know he will give it a go tonight, I just don't now for how long or how effective he will be.  UConn has a similar issue with Solo Ball and a possible foot sprain.  I love Michigan's chances tonight, but I sure as hell would love it even more with a healthy Yax. 

UConn is not an easy match-up and Hurley can coach.  Tarris Reed a former Wolverine is a good player and Michigan's bigs will have their hands full. With that said, Michigan is just as hard to prepare for in one day and I'm sure Hurley has yet to go to sleep and is getting plenty advice from his brother and father.  UConn can shoot the 3 and Michigan will need to protect the 3 ball like they are playing Wisconsin.  

Michigan needs Yax to be Yax, a career night from Cadeau, we need him hitting his layups and 3's, distributing to his fellow Wolverines, and staying out of foul trouble.  We also need another group effort to win this game.  Mara has to continue to dominate down low, Rez seemed to get out of his slump in Indy and will need him to be the Reed stopper.   In nights like tonight, it usually comes from someone we don't expect.  April Roddy needs to be in the house, Burnett needs to continue his good Final 4 play, with hitting 3's and playing strong defense (also make those free throws), McKinney seems to be ready for these bright lights and we need another 16+ from him, and lets not sleep on Tschetter who has been waiting his entire 10 year 😀 Michigan Basketball career for this night.  His shot has been way off in the NCAA Tournament but tonight he might just have the magic touch! On defense, Michigan must stay with the 3 point shooters, we all watched the Duke game and saw the comeback.  Please do not collapse on the dribble drives and stay with the shooters.  Michigan can win this game on defense if they control the 3 point shot.

Fellow Michigan fans, my advice tonight is to savor this feeling as it doesn't come often.  Put your faith in Dusty, the Michigan staff, the Michigan trainers/Doctors, and most importantly the Wolverines on the floor.  I hope we fill up Lucas Oil and play UConn like their visiting Crisler.  I hope Mr. Miyagi visits the Michigan locker room and heals Yax and I hope we go to bed smiling because we got to witness this team play one last game.