Annihilation Muppets Comment Count

Brian

I probably could have posted this with eight minutes left but I didn't want to tempt the jinx gods. That was awesome from the instant Michigan started going zone. Big ups to Matt Vogrich—the Vogrinch saved Christmas—CAM TATUM(!!!), Zack Novak, and… uh… everyone. Even Blake McLimans played well.

Muppets? Muppets.

And you can't have one without the other…

We just threw a team into a volcano in the NCAA tournament. A volcano is what Tennessee is in.

Comments

Blue in Seattle

March 18th, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^

I think with 8 minutes left Tennessee came out with a full court press, Michigan was up 12 or 14, and the announcers were saying, "there's still a lot of time left for a run, Michigan needs to deal with this fullcourt press.

5 minutes later, Michigan is nearly 30 points up, and then fast break with Morris dishing to Stu Douglas for the SLAM.

White men can jump!

How the hell was that considered an even match?  Is it possible that statistics LIE?

I guess that's why they have to play the game.

Is it possible to review the KENPOM for the last half of the season where Michigan has been kicking ass and taking names?!?

who cares, I'm ready to watch them play Duke on Sunday, statistically the biggest hurdle in there way to the Final Four?!?

I'm going back to read the diary of Historical Performance of NCAA Seeds

Woooooo-Hoooo!!

Other Andrew

March 18th, 2011 at 2:58 PM ^

Wait, first of all, much wooooh.

Thought one: These are not the Albert White, Robert Traylor Wolverines. I know this is not news to anyone, but what a phenomenal display of team basketball.

Thought two: What were Illini fans thinking during this one? They despise Pearl for getting them in trouble with the NCAA over the recruitment of Deon Thomas. Yet they believe Michigan is their top rival. I'm guessing they enjoyed the bloodbath, but had to think about it a bit.

FilliamHMuffman94

March 18th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^

That was simply all kinds of awesome.  All we'll hear about is all about the Volunteer offcourt distractions but Michigan played their butts off and the halftime adjustments were excellent.  "So you're telling me there's a chance...."GO BLUE!

Wohlverine

March 18th, 2011 at 3:01 PM ^

I was getting pretty nervous when we were down six in the first half, but our D took over and that turned out to be one of the most exciting second halves I've seen in a long time. Everyone came to play, although Smotrycz made a couple questionable plays. I'm pumped for Sunday now. 

Yostal

March 18th, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^

Dear Michigan hockey team,

Do you see the gauntlet that your maize and blue brethren have thrown down, not in anger, but in the spirit of the friendly rivalries that exist between brothers in arms, pick it up and show them that anything they can do, you can do better.

Go Blue!

bryemye

March 18th, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^

That's the worst half of basketball I've seen in the NCAA tournament. I don't know what Bruce Pearl did to those kids at halftime but it didn't inspire them to play good basketball.

pdiddyway

March 18th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^

I would like to thank all involved in this absolute obliteration.  I haven't seen a team mail it in like that in a while.  Everyone played a terrific game.  We actually got our charges as well, amazing what happens when you leave the big 10 officials at home.  Tournamuppets!

Sambojangles

March 18th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^

My favorite sequence was when we were up by 25, and Stu Douglass hits an NBA range 3, then, on the next possession, Morris picks off a pass, runs down the court, passes it behind his back to Douglass, who dunks it in a way I didn't think he was capable. It made the lead 30, and it was awesome.

umchicago

March 19th, 2011 at 4:10 PM ^

i've been one of his biggest critics, but the last 10 min of this game justifies my criticism.  he played a great final 10 min.  tough rebound, long-range 3, driving layup and a 2-handed dunk.  are you kidding me!?!

he seems to sleepwalk out there a lot.  hopefully, this game will light a fire under him and give him the confidence to be aggressive going forward.  i hope so.  it would be great to have another consistent scoring option out there; especially from 3-pt land.

i honestly thought he would be the team's leading scorer before the season started.  i know his "game" is in there somewhere.

WolverineHistorian

March 18th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^

What really shocked me was all the offensive rebounds we got in the first half.  We never get offensive rebounds.  And the 3 point shooting...what was it, 2 of 13?  Taking the lead with Morgan and Hardaway on the bench was pretty sweet. 

I missed the first minute of the second half and we had already scored 7 points!  That must have really energized the team. 

oriental andrew

March 18th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^

no jinx.  Even the announcer was calling it with 3+ minutes left in the game.  A few other random notes:

Tennessee scored 45 in the game.  Michigan scored 42 in the second half.

Tennessee scored 16 in the 2nd half.  Ugly.  But multiply that by 4 and you pretty much have the PSU-Wisconsin game in the BTT.  Ouch.

Tennessee had 10 assists total.  Darius Morris had 10 assists by himself (the team had 20)

Michigan had 5 players score double digits.  Tennessee had 1 player do so, and it was all in the 1st half (Tobias Harris had a goose egg on 0-5 shooting in the 2nd, but 19 pts in the first, shooting 6-6 FG and 7-7 FT).  

Michigan's 3-pt shooting percentage (34.6%) was pretty much the same as UT's overall FG % (34.9%).  Of course, Michigan also went 51.6% overall.

Michigan attempted 1 FT (Morgan missed it).  Tennessee was 12-16 on FTs.  

But yeah, 75-45.  

BostonWolverine

March 18th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^

Real conversation that took place after the game:

 

Me: Holy crap, that was a pretty impressive win.

My Dad: Yeah, I'll say. I didn't see too much of it, though. I slept through most of the 2nd half.

Me: What a coincidence - so did Tennessee.

My Dad: Ba-Zing!

Gibbles

March 18th, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^

Novak really stepped up big for this game. So did Stu. Novak walked out with a double-double. They were playing some of the least selfish basketball I've seen them do all season. This team is incredible when they're hitting their shots.

Great job getting charges called too. Smart play.