Cassity is off the board, that leaves one more target for 2008. We’ll see how the Justin Watts recruitment plays out then it is on to 2009.
Monthly Archive for March, 2008Page 2 of 4
- Anyaorah Commits To Big 12 School ($)
Posted that this was looking very likely but now it’s official. Two remain: Watts and Cassity. - Rosters chosen for Indiana North-South All-Star Classic
Congrats to Stu and Zack for making this team. The game is March 30th at Vincennes University at 4pm. - No. 1 recruit Terrelle Pryor picks Ohio State
If you live under a rock and didn’t hear, Pryor is going to the “University of Ohio State” as expected. - It’s another March without Michigan but here are my first round upset picks: Western Kentucky, Davidson, St Joes, St Marys, and Siena! Cal State Fullerton is an interesting team because they have almost-Wolverine Marcus Crenshaw (damn JUCO admissions) and almost-offered Josh Akognon on their roster, I’ll certainly be watching that one.
The New York Daily News is reporting that Jerry Dunn is one of the finalists for the James Madison head coaching job.
Former St. John’s coach Mike Jarvis, Marist coach Matt Brady and Michgian assistant Jerry Dunn, formerly the head coach at Penn State, are apparently the three finalists for the James Madison job.
Dunn has been reported to be looking for a head coaching job since before he was brought on board at Michigan and this move wouldn’t be very surprising. However this mixed with the rumors of Mike Jackson’s possibility of getting the UofD job are certainly worrisome. It would be hard to lose two assistants in one year I would assume. Of course the sexy names for a new assistant are people like Saginaw’s Lou Dawkins who almost got a spot on Tubby’s bench last year and Jalen Rose (don’t see this ever happening). Another name that would be worth paying attention to is Oronde Taliaferro from Arkansas. I would guess that Brian Townsend might get a shot to move up the ladder from Director of Basketball operations to an assistant coaching spot.
Sounds like the Ebuka Anyaorah sweepstakes are over. The Daily Camera is reporting that Ebuka is likely to commit to Colorado very shortly. Guess we will never know what happened with Ebuka’s visit.
McClain’s ability to recruit is another reason Bzdelik enjoys his company so much. And it appears the coaching staff is on the verge of locking up another prize recruit.
Ebuka Anyaorah, a 6-foot-4 guard from Suwanee, Ga., is expected to chose CU over Michigan, Texas A&M;, Georgia and Georgia Tech. He made a visit to Boulder on March 1 and watched the Buffs beat Iowa State 67-55.
Anyaorah is a talented late bloomer who averaged 26.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and three assists per game. CU had a scholarship become available after Xavier Silas was dismissed from the team last month.
The rumors on the SalukiTalk Message boards say that Cassity is visiting SIU right now but St. Louis may be the favorite. MSNSaluki says:
Actually, Cassity is on campus today with his parents (Mary and Joseph?). He will attend practice and go out to dinner with Lowrey and some of the players. SIU likes its chances but I’m still hearing he’s SLU bound.
Got to love the rumor mill. Then again not much else we can talk about now that we are sitting at home for another March.
- It all falls into line for Mater Dei in Division II boys’ final
Andy Brown scored 13 of his 18 points to lead Mater Dei to a state title win. - Academics and Athletics
The long awaited Ann Arbor news piece on academic issues in the athletic department. Does it live up to the hype? I’ll have more reaction later. - Boys basketball: With his college destination in doubt, Novak came out swinging
Novak speaks on his recruitment and almost being left with no offer. - Cassity mulls Michigan offer (Scout Premium)
Will Michigan add another guard/wing? - Big Ten teams seemed to get pretty snubbed with respect to seeding tonight. Wisconsin a 3, MSU a 5, Purdue a 6 and Indiana an 8? Maybe it’s just my BigTen bias.
Michigan’s latest 2008 commitment Zack Novak averaged 27 ppg and 7.5 rpg while shooting 39% from behind the three point line his senior season. After committing a week ago Novak agreed to answer user submitted questions. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question and I tried to ask as many as possible but some of them had to be cut. Thanks for taking the time Zack and good luck in the Maize and Blue.
Dylan: Tell us about when Beilein came to watch you practice. Rumor has it that you put on a shooting clinic.
Zack Novak: Actually, during the initial part of practice when our team was running through our offense, I didn’t shoot it that well. We end every practice with shooting though and I started to feel it for a little bit during that. He asked me to scoot back a little, seeing that the line is being moved and all and I got into a bit of a rhythm and hit a few deep ones.
Reality Man: Who is the best player you have played against and how did you fare against him?
Novak: I couldn’t really begin to tell you that one. In the summer AAU circuit I’ve played several highly ranked players. I guess one that sticks out in my mind though is Luke Harangody from Notre Dame. He was Big East player of the year this year I believe. My freshman year I had 33 against him and we lost. My sophomore year I went for 32, while he went for 27. I was guarding him for most of that game. He’s a beast. Continue reading ‘Zack Novak: Questions Answered’
Not much to say about this one. Didn’t think we would win but didn’t think we would lay an egg light that. 10-50 (20%) shooting is just terrible, not sure how anyone can shoot much worse than that. Not to mention that we made 1 field goal inside the arc in the second half. I didn’t see the game but these numbers are just ugly. Ant Wright had 11 points but I wouldn’t say he had a “good game”. DeShawn and Manny combined for 3-22 shooting and 10 points. One positive I guess is DeShawn’s rebounding, he grabbed 8 boards today and he has definetely made progress on the glass. Jokes about Michigan State’s low point totals this year are no longer allowed and with it being March I would suggest any Michigan fan not make any basketball jokes at all. I’ll post the Novak interview tonight.
Post Game Press Conference (Ron, Peedi and Beilein at the end):
I don’t think there are words to describe how ugly that game was. If you didn’t see it on TV consider yourself lucky. I think that a combined 11 minute and 44 second field goal drought says enough. The key for Michigan was that Iowa couldn’t make their free throws either. Cyrus Tate was just brutal at the line (10-17) and a lot of those were during the drought.
The player of the game for me is DeShawn Sims. Peedi shot 5 out of 10 (2-5 3pt) for 14 points and 10 rebounds. He took a reasonable number of threes put also got some points inside and in transition. Not to mention a career high 10 rebounds for the double double. Manny of course had an outstanding game (although he is still learning shot selection) pouring in 19 points and 3 assists. Only 12 turnovers as well, one of which was letting the shot clock run out in the last minute.
DeShawn Sims in the interview room after the game is a definetely a little painful. He mentions coaches preparing the team well as well as playing tenacious defense. Not quite sure why Ronnie is in the interview room, maybe it was his 3 rebounds. Beilein steps in on the question of the drought, says that the team watches the margin (”the diff“) and not worried about how long they haven’t scored.
One note: Iowa’s Jake Kelly (Douglass’ former teammate) had 11 points and if Stu has that kinda game he can definetely contribute next year.
Onto Wisconsin tomorrow. Michigan played them tough even while getting out shot (44%-37%), only shooting 4 FTs, and only having 7 assists and Sims only shooting 4-19. However Manny had one of his best games of the year posting 26 points (11-19 shooting) and 6 rebounds.
To stay in the game with Wisconsin we can’t have those kind of droughts and we need to play defense the way we did today. The way we played in the first half, shooting around 45% I think we can at least stay in games. When we got 20 minutes shooting 27% thats when we are in trouble because good teams like Wisconsin will punish you for that.
UMHoops Prediction: Wisconsin 72 - Michigan 64. I think the season ends tomorrow but it was definetely good to at least get a win.
Note: Novak answers after we lose. I’m saving it for you guys. I’m going to miss the game tomorrow but leave some in game comments. Go blue and pull the upset!
If you are betting on college basketball games including all teams participating in the Big Ten Tournament make sure you have an expert prognosticator on your side.
The first time around Iowa embarrassed Michigan at home, the second time Michigan pulled off a gutty road win. Some in the media even went as far as proclaiming that Michigan had turned the corner after the Iowa win and excitement ran surprisingly high (for a team so far under 500). The Iowa win coupled with the Ohio State home win were the bright point of the season and showed that just maybe this team can play a little ball. However a disappointing finish has reminded Wolverine fans that there is still a long ways to go.
Cyrus Tate is averaging 14 points and 7 boards his last 5 games and has came into his own the last half of the season. Freeman killed Michigan at Crisler but was pretty much a non-factor in the second game against Grady. Grady had one of his better games of the year at Iowa with 7 points and 9 assists.
For Michigan it’s the same story: Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims. If only one of them has a good offensive game it has proven very hard for Michigan to win. The backcourt needs to take care of the ball, this wasn’t a huge problem all year (Manny struggled but overall numbers were down) but against Purdue the ball handling was atrocious. It has been a long season and I really don’t have a clue what this teams mind set is right now. They sound somewhat conceded but also make statements that they “want to win it for Beilein”. Hard to get a good read.
Tommy Amaker teams you always had a pretty good idea that they would lay an egg in the Big Ten Tournament. Beilein on the other hand is clearly known as a tournament coach including a run to the Big East final in 2005. Not to mention that the Mountaineers played in the 8/9 game that year. This team clearly doesn’t have the firepower to make that kind of run but it would be good to see them at least get this win over Iowa. A win over Iowa and a solid effort against Wisconsin could do a lot for momentum into next year. It would certainly leave a much better taste than losing 5 of the last 6 to mostly bottom tier Big Ten teams.
Unfortunately I just don’t see Michigan pulling this one out. I think this team is beat up physically and mentally doesn’t have it in the tank to beat Iowa. Hopefully the prove me wrong and play some inspired ball. UMHoops Prediction: Michigan 60 - Iowa 65.
A couple quick notes. For anyone trying to keep up with the game that is at work or doesn’t get Big Ten Network, I’ll be watching and myself and others could post updates/comments during the game to help you folks out. Secondly, Novak’s answers to everyones most peoples questions should go up tomorrow night so be sure to check back.
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