Unverified Voracity Declared War Without Causus Belli Comment Count

Brian

Live streaming goes just far enough. There is a live stream of IL PF Max Bielfeldt's announcement, which is going to happen in about ten minutes here. Michigan and Illinois are the contenders with most signs pointing to Michigan despite Bielfeldt's last name being on more than one building in Champaign. Bielfeldt compares himself to Luke Harangody and put up monster numbers as a senior, but recruiting sites say he's an "average at best" athlete. Think Graham Brown, I guess, except apparently he's got a decent shooting stroke that extends to the three point line.

If Bielfeldt goes blue there will undoubtedly be all the info you could want on UMHoops shortly after. Meanwhile, I've got a hockey game to panic about. [UPDATE: Bielfeldt has committed.]

I hope this is one game. Trey Burke highlight reel ahoy:

Probably one game, right? I bet they cut out a couple misses but probably one game.

Even in the unlikely event this is a season's worth of highlights, that's still pretty encouraging. Burke shows a three-point stroke, crossovers, spin moves, a nice pull-up jumper, and a floater in the lane. The diversity of his offensive game is impressive, and if these stats are right…

Burke is averaging 23.6 points, 6.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals. He is shooting 58.7 percent from the field, 46.6 percent from three-point range (54 of 116) and 73.3 percent at the free-throw line (88 of 120).

…dang, we may have just ganked* the next Talor Battle away from Penn State. (I only doubt because a separate article has even more ludicrous shooting percentages, FWIW. I believe the very slightly more pessimistic version but there's some wobble that makes me think they may have overlooked some attempts.)

48% from three plus that highlight video plus winning Mr. Basketball over a bunch of other D-I commits including a guy headed to Michigan State equals one extremely underrated recruit—Burke is a three star on Rivals. ESPN does have him a bit higher as a four star ranked #85, and boy were they right about Tim Hardaway Jr. Let's hope their streak continues.

In other basketball recruiting news, Carlton Brundidge just saw his high school career end in painful fashion. He tied Southfield's state semifinal against Kalamazoo Central with a 17-foot pull up, missed a backdoor layup on the ensuing possession, made both halves of a 1-and-1 to re-tie the game, then saw Central get a putback off an airball for the win. Burke plays his semifinal tonight at 8:30.

*["Ganked" should have made the transition from thing you say in sixth grade to critical part of the language by now.]

black-news

Frank Beckmann thinks this is racist

The tipping point. I've read Ramzy Nasrallah's stuff on and off for a very long time now and while some of his opinions make me roll my eyes I'm sure that's mutual. It's a natural consequence of being on opposite sides of the rivalry. That said, he's always been worth reading even when we disagree, and when he posts something titled The Case For Regicide that signals a huge shift in the portion of the Ohio State fanbase that doesn't have neckbeards. That shift is from "this shall pass" to "this seems too dumb to tolerate; we're screwed, at least insofar as a football program with OSU's natural advantages can be, which isn't that much."

I've been pretty strident in my opinion that Tressel should be fired and now it seems fairly likely he will. He's already been tried, compared to Nixon, and executed in the media. In that event the big questions lie in the eventual results of what seems like it will be a labyrinthine NCAA investigation and whether or not Tressel will axe Gordon Gee on his way out. I'm guessing "disappointing" and "yes."

More pads. More pads:

At the 35 second mark Denard runs a zone read for many yards, and then a power play gets destroyed. I'm just sayin'…

Seriously though, seeing a zone read makes me happy even if they hardly ran it last year. Tough talk and an open-minded offensive coordinator are where it's at.

Fort? No fort. Last year Michigan had an open practice in Michigan Stadium that you could buy your way into by shelling out for the big baller seats or donating to Mott at the Spring Game. Rodriguez hated it and I had to wait until the rest of the internet had responded to round up third-party impressions because I'd been asked not to relate anything I saw myself. So that was a one-off, right? Hoke's back and so is The Fort and that'll never happen again:

Fans attending the game will be asked to make any donation the hospital. Donations at the following levels will come with a correlating gift:

$5: A 5”x7” Fathead Trading Card of either Charles Woodson or Desmond Howard.
$20: A Fathead Teammate Block M (roughly 12”x7”).
$100: A Fathead Junior Big House Mural (17”x30”).
$250: Four passes to a pre-season scrimmage
$500: Two pre-game sideline passes (does not include game tickets) to one of the following four games: Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, San Diego State or Minnesota.
$750: Two pre-game sideline passes (does not include game tickets) to the Nebraska game.

Except apparently it will. Never underestimate the power of club seating. I went last year with Greg of MVictors and FOB Craig Ross. It was rainy and strange but I thought it was worth it because I'm insane.

Etc.: Holdin' The Rope on the basketball season. Yes, that is now kind of an awkward blog name. Bacon on the Fab Five. He has a different memory of Jalen Rose. AA.com profiles the receivers.

Comments

Laveranues

March 25th, 2011 at 5:44 PM ^

Steam has a sale on that every few weeks.  I recently got all of the expansions (except for the newest one) for < $10.

It's decent, but more of a world simulator than a game.  You just kind of do stuff and see what happens.  You can't really take over the world and kill everybody like in, for example, Civilization.

virgilthechicken

March 26th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^

It is real time, though it has the feel of a turn based game as you will be constantly pausing to make adjustments to your country. You can concuer the world (there is plenty of proof of that on the internet, just search for "EUIII AARs") but it is fairly difficult and not really the point. The game is incredibly deep, as you guide pretty much any country on the planet through hundreds of years of history. With that depth comes a lot of complexity, and for the first couple games you won't know what is going on. Stick with it though and you will find a rewarding experience, that, to me, puts Civilization and their ilk to shame.

JeepinBen

March 25th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^

RE ACTIVATE

And yeah, he's looked good so far. I commented on this in the "devin gardner is a natural thread" but does anyone know why there are some players (Hawthorne, BWC, Denard, Devin, Cox, etc.) with game-style jerseys? (name on the back, full color scheme, no 3 adidas stripes)

Yostal

March 25th, 2011 at 4:45 PM ^

I had a student claim that he used Europa Universalis 3 as his primary study guide for AP European History.  He got a 5.  I know the latter to be true and I believe the former.

bryemye

March 25th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^

Trey seems to be short and doesn't get a lot of lift on his jumpshot. Still, a nice stroke and seems very quick on the dribble. Should be a nice guy to develop behind Darius.

wahlmc

March 26th, 2011 at 11:33 AM ^

I saw Col. Northland play in person early this season, and Trey is a bit taller than it might seem. Northland has a tall HS team, including a pair of 6' 8" guys that are probably MAC caliber players (they apparently hardly saw the floor before this season, what with Sullinger and Co.). Anyways, Burke's teammates make him seem shorter than he really is.

As for his play, WOW. I mean, they were playing a crappy Columbus public school when I saw him, but still, he could do a little bit of everything, including easily throwing down a dunk on a breakaway.

I think it is awesome that he will have the opportunity to cut his teeth for a year (or two) while playing under Morris, and I really think he could be something special. Also, gotta love the recent stories about how he proudly wears his maize and blue gear out and about in Columbus.

BlueDragon

March 26th, 2011 at 11:38 AM ^

gotta love the recent stories about how he proudly wears his maize and blue gear out and about in Columbus.

That takes serious brass balls to pull that move in CBus. Heck, I only wear my gear when I'm going out to watch a game.

no joke its hoke

March 25th, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^

everytime I read anything about Tressel right nowjust makes walking around this dump alittle bit better! How great is it that Ohio States two greatest coaches will be remembered for 1.punching a kid and 2.being a huge cheat and scumbag. I love it!

Grahambino

March 25th, 2011 at 5:22 PM ^

The kid looks bad fast.  Not only a nice looking shooter, but could be one of the fastest kids on our team next year.  Seems to have all the moves to back up and possibly push Darius.

jmjgoat

March 25th, 2011 at 5:33 PM ^

I've been lurking on mgoblog since 2005.

I registered today just to acknowledge the Europa Universalis reference.

10,000 nerd points to Brian and everyone else who knew what was coming as soon as they read the title.

Urban Warfare

March 25th, 2011 at 5:55 PM ^

Why is Denard wearing white pants?  I noticed that he seems to be the only one wearing them; even Gardner is wearing yellow.

Blue in Seattle

March 25th, 2011 at 6:08 PM ^

The Spring Game is free, at least according to the University Website;

 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football program will partner with C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for the annual spring game slated for Saturday, April 16, at noon EDT. The spring game is a free, public event*, but the athletic department will use the spring game as a fundraising opportunity to assist in the construction of the new C.S. Mott Children's Hospital scheduled to open this fall.

* the bolding is mine.

Last year the spring game was free, but there were some volunteers there asking for money and handing out maize towels for a $5 donation.  I took two and felt I had the better part of the bargain.  Especially after I got so cold I broke down and bought a hot chocolate.  Mine definitely needed another brown crayon.

I'm not sure what you have against the Children's Hospital using the Football Team to drive funding, but I have thought it was a great thing from before the time I saw Lloyd Carr showing off his rubber donation bracelet on Michigan Replay (sigh, I miss you Michigan Replay)

Yes things do change, and you don't have to like them.  But I think it would be wise for you to lay off the Mott's Children Hospital connection with Michigan Football.

Jokes about crappy concession stand food and drink is always funny, because it's universally true, and a big reason why people tailgate before and after the game.

 

 

OMG Shirtless

March 25th, 2011 at 7:07 PM ^

I'm not positive, but I believe this paragraph,

 

Fort? No fort. Last year Michigan had an open practice in Michigan Stadium that you could buy your way into by shelling out for the big baller seats or donating to Mott at the Spring Game. Rodriguez hated it and I had to wait until the rest of the internet had responded to round up third-party impressions because I'd been asked not to relate anything I saw myself. So that was a one-off, right? Hoke's back and so is The Fort and that'll never happen again:

 

refers to the fall scrimmage that you can get tickets to by donating $250 at the spring game or buying premium seating.

aaamichfan

March 25th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^

It's really crazy that Bielfeldt committed to Michigan after his family has donated so much money to Illinois athletics. Their name is on the Academic Administration building. That would almost be like Steve Ross having a star athlete son who wasn't given a scholarship to Michigan.

Hopefully we can convert the entire family to the good side.

Will Vereene

March 26th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^

I think Bielfelt weighed where both programs are going and saw that IL is on the decline and MI is headed for greatness and he wanted to be a part of restoring the glory. 

With all the depth on the team for next season, I see Michigan contending for the B1G and making a longer run in the NCAA tourney.

All these talented recruits just confirm that MI will be a contender in the seasons to follow. That was probably the tipping point for Bielfelt, not to mention the Tradition and Excellence at MI.

BlueDragon

March 26th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

Remember the last two Illinois-Michigan games from this season?  Michigan clearly looked like a team on the upswing and Illinois looked like a team that still had not found its rhythm just when it had to play its best basketball of the year.  Add in the recent history of both programs and Mr. Bielfelt and his family probably read the writing on the wall.

Coach Kyle

March 26th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^

The power play? That looked a lot more like a stretch play. You can tell because the lineman are running toward the play and therefore zone blocking. The power play relies on the two end lineman double teaming at the point of attack, and the pulling guard/FB to kick out and block at the next level. Then again... I could be wrong. Maybe the lineman simply got dominated and turned to face the play. 

I saw the power play at 00:53 and it did get destroyed, but notice how two beastly players come in on the right and destroy the play. How in the hell did they get in there? Did the entire back side of the line quit? And why didn't #38 (whoever that is) hit the hole to the left of him... the one that was wide open? 

Regardless, it's week one. They've had 2-3 years with the zone read. They've had one week with the power. It's good to see the zone read because it's going to be a weapon, but don't knock the power after seeing it once. Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin all use it religiously, and we haven't beat those teams.... in a while.