Basketball of note tonight. Michigan is a heavy underdog against UCLA tonight at Madison Square Garden, but this will be the first opportunity to see Michigan's 2008-09 team against a credible opponent and should at the very least provide an indication of how improved they are this year.

Previews are bountiful. UM Hoops has your pregame:

This is a big game whether it is a measuring stick, statement game, or whatever else. On paper this is a game UCLA is supposed to win, but it’s against the one elite team that Beilein has consistently fared well against.

New blog "Michigan Wolverines Basketball" also has a preview. Jamiemac has an extensive rundown in the diaries. Bruins Nation expects it will be close:

Given our recent history against John Beilein, I think this game will be a toss-up against a much improved Wolverines team, which will be fired up and ready to go all out to make a national statement in Beilein’s second year in what at least in my book is the marquee All Sports school in the Big-10 (in essence UCLA’s twin brother from the Midwest).

I think you'll see UCLA crush Michigan inside on both ends of the floor and it'll be up to M's outside shooting to keep the game close. I'd be happy with 1-1. Michigan will take on either Duke or Southern Illinois in the second game.

9:30 ESPN2; Duke-SIU tips at 7.

About face. Larry Lage, the AP writer who highlighted the "get a life" thing, might be attempting to make nice with a long piece on Rodriguez's struggles. Rick Leach pops up again with encouragement:

“I loved it when we hired him and I love it more now after spending time with him and getting to know him pretty well,” Leach said. “There have been a ton of players who have been through this program and they all have the right to an opinion about him, but personally, I’m proud he’s our coach.

“It’s painful for a lot of people to see Michigan lose like this, but the wins and losses go on his record and so you can multiple the pain he feels. Nobody has taken more of a brunt for this year than coach, but this wasn’t going to be an easy job for anybody.”

West Virginia, man. Questions abound. Is this man drunk? Is he allowed out of the house? What's with the glasses. And… Cyndi Lauper?

The internet is a strange, strange thing.