Normally, I post a picture of Santa holding a Michigan Helmet. This year, we have so many reasons to be thankful for this team and all they've accomplished. So, I thought I would share a few of my favorite images. I hope everyone has a blessed safe holiday. I appreciate all of you!
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| © Photo: Isaiah Hole Wolverine Wire |
Even up 21-3, I was nervous. My home was cold, chilly even and my t-shirt looked like I had been sitting in a hundred-degree sauna. Michigan was clearly the better team and Iowa was struggling on offense, but I felt Iowa was still going to get a pick 6 and then TE Michigan to death to make this a close game.
Iowa with all its troubles, came in with a very good game plan. They shut down Michigan's run game, put Michigan's LB's in coverage and did their best to keep this game close. They had 3 very good drives where it looked like the Hawkeyes would cash in for TD's. Iowa only scored 3 points in those drives and struggled in the red zone. If they put up 21 points in this game, the outcome might have been different or at least looked different.
Michigan was not sleepy coming off the huge victory last weekend, they were so focused Gattis went deep in the playbook to call a tailback pass from Donovan Edwards that resulted in a 75-yard TD to Roman Wilson. That and a great run by Corum was enough to beat Iowa but it didn't feel like it. The 14-3 lead at half felt good, but not safe.
One of the best traits of this Michigan team, is they play their best after half-time. Which means the coaches learn, adjust, and put the team into a winning position. That TE Boot play was killing Michigan in the 1st half and under other DC's it would have continued to kill them. Not under Coach Mac's defense and he adjusted and shut it down in the second half.
Michigan dominated the 2nd half and won the Big Ten Championship by a score of 42-3. History made; Championship won! No matter where or who Michigan plays in the CFP this team will go down in history of Michigan Football as Champions. I could not be prouder of this team.
Cheers
Sometimes we look too far ahead or forget what's important. In football it has become a National Championship and getting into the playoffs. In Basketball, it's March Madness with your leagues tournament and of course the NCAA Tournament.
At Michigan, the goal has always been Big Ten Championships in every sport. Winning a weekend tournament is fun and making a long run to the Final 4 is great, but nobody can take away what happened last night when Michigan Basketball became Big Ten Champions. No matter what happens for them in the NBA or even in the following tournaments, they will always be remembered as Champions and that is something very special.
I'm very excited about what they accomplished this year - mostly in a Pandemic. With that said, there are a couple concerning things going on.
Something happened to Michigan and Ohio State after they played a classic almost 2 weeks ago. I can argue that Michigan hasn't played a complete game since and Ohio State hasn't won since. Michigan again last night looked disjointed at times on both sides of the floor. They won the game because they are much better then the Spartans. If Juwan kept the starters in, the Wolverines would have won by 40 because in the 2nd half Sparty couldn't throw the ball in the ocean from the beach.
Michigan struggled on defense guarding the dribble drive and it seemed all of MSU's scoring in the first half were lay ups. On the other side of the court, they are forcing everything into the low post and double teaming Hunter into turnovers. Michigan will need to work hard in the next week to create more offense with motion and passing as everyone knows right now the current scheme goes through Hunter. Livers, Smith, Brooks, and Wagner are good shooters and need more looks from 3 to keep the double teams off Hunter. There is too much standing and watching on offense. Michigan also could use more Chaundee Brown's energy on the court.
I know, I'm just pointing out the negatives, after Michigan held Sparty to 9/30 shooting in the 2nd half. I just want to see the team that was executing at a high level before and after the COVID shutdown. Beat Sparty again on Sunday and prepare for the Big Ten Tournament and the pressure that comes with being a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Congratulations to Michigan Basketball, 20-21 Big Ten Champions!
The Michigan Football team will understand who they will play on Sunday afternoon in a Bowl Game. We have heard anything from the Holiday Bowl vs. PAC 12 team, Gator Bowl vs. SEC Team, or to the Citrus against Alabama or Auburn. The latest buzz seems to be the Citrus who would love a Michigan - Alabama match-up, which packed Jerry's stadium a few years ago.
Juwan Howard's program gets no rest for the weary as they take the floor at home tonight against a good Iowa team. Tip is an early one at 6:30 and will be on FS1. Iowa is 6-2 with loses to DePaul and San Diego State, they do have recent wins over Texas Tech and Syracuse. Let's hope the team can shake off the cold from Tuesday night.
When we would say, "Michigan is now a basketball school", we all smiled and thought maybe someday. Well folks, we might be there. Coach B and the Michigan Basketball Team did the impossible again, winning 4 games in 4 days and winning the Big Ten Championship.
This was a classic team effort, with everyone contributing.. Jon Teske might have been the MVP of the game as he came in and was able to slow down Purdue's Andre the Giant/Isaac Haas, while adding 14 points and 12 in the first half. Haas is one of the largest most athletic big men I have ever seen, since maybe Shaq. Even with Andre the Giant's domination, Michigan continued to run its offense, as they were taking him outside and opening driving lanes for Simpson and MAAR.
Michigan took a close game in the first half and blew the doors off the Boilermakers for most of the second. Only some shaky free throw shooting down the stretch kept the game close as the largest lead was 18 points.
You have to just love this "lunch pail" type of team and Michigan couldn't be hotter right now. The issue is, with the moved up Big Ten Tournament, Michigan will have nearly two weeks off without a competitive game before the NCAA starts. Which will give us plenty of time to discuss the rest vs. rust debate. (It would be great if Michigan was able to bring in another team that isn't in a tournament next week to play a scrimmage at Crisler. I don't even know if that is allowed but it would be great to keep the team sharp.) Now it will be left up to the NCAA committee on where they put Michigan and which seed. Wolverine fans are hoping for Detroit and a #3 seed.
Congratulations to the Wolverines for another tournament title! Go Blue!
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| Julie Jacobson - Mlive |
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| Rick Danzl / Associated Press |
