I was among the many people who ripped Jay Bilas for his criticism of Manny Harris after the Purdue game last year. But Bilas had some kind words about Manny Harris in a Sports Illustrated column by Richard Deitsch while talking about his relationships with coaches and players and how it effects the way he does his job.
“I have situations where I’ve second-guessed a coach on the air and I try not to even consider what the coaches’ feelings will be about it. There are times in dealing with coaches and players you have a relationship with and dealing with comments you get off the record. That’s where you hope your best judgment comes in. I worked with Manny Harris of Michigan two summers ago. I have not worked with or been around a better kid. Last year, he was involved in an elbowing incident and I was pretty hard on him. I could have sat there and said, ‘Great kid, let’s dismiss it,’ but I didn’t. I said what I thought and I had a lot of critical comments from Michigan fans. But I didn’t know any other way to handle it. I worked with Manny again this summer and we joked about it. Adults don’t handle that situation better than he handled it. I wish I had the poise that kid has.
It obviously speaks worlds about Manny Harris’ maturity and personality. I’m all for speaking your mind on air and I have no doubt that is what Bilas did but that doesn’t change my mind that he was wrong about the play. Bilas also gave Harris and Evan Turner some praise in his ESPN column for posting triple doubles.
Other Notes
- Per StatSheet, Michigan has the 3rd youngest team in the Big Ten (by average class year per minute played). Iowa and Indiana are the only younger teams while Ohio State is the oldest.
- Mike Rothstein chatted with Gary Grant about Manny Harris and his triple double.
- Bringing two canned goods to the game Friday gets you in the door for one dollar.
- John Gasaway is the voice of reason, saying that we shouldn’t fret over early season ugly wins.
- Northwestern faces Butler tonight (8 pm BTN) in what could have been a huge statement game for the Cats, instead it will more likely be a demonstration of how they can cope with out Coble. The Geeks have a preview.
- Programming Note: Posting has been a little light this week and I apologize. Should have plenty throughout the end of the week including an early Old Spice preview as well as the necessary Houston Baptist preview.
