basketball

I know this has been discussed previously on the blog, but Tim Miles is just great. I've never seen a post-game presser with so much laughing in it. His players genuinely seem to love him. Miles even worked in a Shawshank Redemption reference. In general, just a a great press conference. Good stuff, and I'm rooting hard for Nebraska to beat Wisconsin this weekend and sneak their way into the tournament.

http://www.insidethehall.com/2014/03/05/video-tim-miles-nebraska-players-react-win-indiana/ 

Three updates today on the NBA Draft potential of some Michigan players. Nik Stauskas, please stop reading here as the rest of the post contains spoilers. It looks like most reputable sites have Nik Stauskas in the #15-20 range of the 1st round, Glenn Robinson III as an early 2nd round pick with potential of sneaking in the end of the 1st round, and Mitch McGary in the 2nd round.

ESPN's Chad Ford:

Stauskas 1st round pick at #15, GR III at #39 on his Big Board, McGary at #42.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2014/story/_/id/10552402/nba-embiid-stays-no-1-ennis-vaults-2014-mock-draft-30

DraftExpress:

Stauskas 1st round pick at #20, McGary at #37, GR III at #44 on their board.

http://www.draftexpress.com/rankings/Top-100-Prospects/

ESPN's Jeff Goodman:

Stauskas 1st round in the #10-20 range, GR III in the 2nd round with potential for the end of the 1st round.

On Stauskas:

NBA folks I’ve talked to have the 6-foot-5 and change Canadian wing as a guy who will likely be taken somewhere in the 10-20 range. Stauskas has expanded his game and shown he can do more than just shoot the ball. He's athletic and has a tremendous feel for the game. John Beilein has three players who could all decide to leave -- Stauskas, Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary. If somehow all three returned, the Wolverines -- with freshman point guard Derrick Walton Jr. having a year under his belt -- could have a chance to challenge for the national title next season.

On GR III:

There are times when he looks terrific, and others when GR3 appears disinterested and invisible. He has good size for a wing and possesses tremendous athleticism, but he hasn’t lived up to the expectations this season. Robinson, according to multiple NBA executives, could still go in the latter part of the first round -- but he’s far from a lock to go in the first 30 picks. The Wolverines could well lose Stauskas and McGary, and that would almost force Robinson to be the go-to guy if he returns to Ann Arbor.

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/jeff-goodman/post?id=3269

SI's Chris Mannix from 2/27:

Stauskas 1st round at #17

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20140227/nba-draft-big-board-andrew-wiggins-jabari-parker/index.html

The stock on Michigan Basketball couldn't be hotter right now and alot of credit goes to where it should - like Beilein and his coaching staff, and the players.  The last few years have brought acclaim and fun basketball back to Ann Arbor.  Michigan recruits good kids who represent the school well.  And, we're competitive with the elite programs and improving year by year.

But, I've noticed that members of the community have been dogging Jalen for being so vociferous about inclusion of the Fab 5's inclusion back to the fold.  I, for one, think it  could have a good effect on the school.  Alot of ppl now a days dont even know the history of the team and its iconic brand of basketball.  But alot of ppl do and I'm glad that Beilein and Co. have been so receptive of their input and support.  

Jalen Rose wasnt implicated in the Martin Scandal and by all measures has been a model for the school.   He had an illustrious NBA career and has become a solid broadcaster and personality.  His Grantland segments are gold.  He loves Michigan almost as much as he loves himself.  So, why begrudge him to use his platform to try to get what he wants.  It might be what is best for the school.

The joke replies in the "Michigan Basketball Resurgence" post made me think that this would be a good post. (and it is my first ever). 

List your favorite michigan basketball players from the years that the teams were not as easy to watch as they've been the last few years. 

My cool story bro - I shared freshman year orientation with Avery Queen and Josh Moore - one 7'3" and the other 5'8". They drove around in a red ford tempo. 

My favorite player? Probably Senior year Graham Brown. 

So I saw this topic discussed on GBW and I thought I would bring it over here. When you think of Michigan Basketballs resurgence under Coach Belein, what player comes to mind?

There a lot of games with RPI/seed implications tonight:

Duke-Wake (it's really early but Wake is off to a good start), Louisville-SMU, Texas Tech-Kansas, Purdue-Wisconsin, Nebraska-Indiana among others.

EDIT: Wake beats Duke, Nebraska beats Indiana. Does the Duke loss put us on the 2-line?

For Nebraska-Indiana, pull for Nebraska because 1) we want them in that RPI Top 50 at the end of the season and 2) Tom Crean is still Tom Crean.