Geeked for Basketball
With the whole madness thing happening this Friday, it got me thinking, I haven't been this excited for Michigan basketball to start in a long time. Football has always been my first love, but I'm seriously pumped for basketball. It has been at least 10 years since I was this excited for Michigan basketball, and I have to tell you, it feels good. Any one else feel a long lost feeling of excitement they haven't felt in a decade?
October 15th, 2009 at 2:21 PM ^
It is funny to see this as a board post. For a second I thought I was on an MSU blog. But, son-of-a-gun, we have a basketball team worth getting excited about again!
October 15th, 2009 at 2:26 PM ^
i think the team has an opportunity to actually be quite good. however, PTSD from the ellerbe->amaker years has knocked my excitement ceiling from "geeked" to "cautiously optimistic"
October 15th, 2009 at 2:29 PM ^
But that is exactly my point, after all that trauma, I am finally excited for basketball. We relied so much on freshman last year and still had a great season. Now those kids are going to be a year stronger, more experienced, more knowledgeable about the offense, and more mature. I think it is going to be a great season
October 15th, 2009 at 2:27 PM ^
College Bball is one of my favorite games to watch, a beautiful game played at high intensity, by kids who are playing for each other, not a paycheck. It can't top football, but its up there.
October 15th, 2009 at 2:40 PM ^
I had completely given up hope that we'd play games (and win them) like we did last year against Duke and UCLA ever again. It's so great to be able to look forward to basketball without that sense of impending doom.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:13 PM ^
I agree. I am totally pumped as well. I have high expectations for this season - in that I want to get back to the tournament and win a couple of games. Is Sweet 16 unrealistic?
October 15th, 2009 at 3:38 PM ^
The team didn't fall that short of a sweet 16 bid this past year. With Harris and Sims and like 8 6'4" white guys who can shoot back, they ought to be a 4 or 5 seed, I would think. I still think this team loses a few very frustrating games during the season, but hopefully the exciting-wins-to-super-annoying-losses ratio is even better than last year, and they end up 11-7 or so in the B10, with an exciting nonconference win or two again.
October 16th, 2009 at 6:36 PM ^
I agree that a 4-5 seed is possible but there are some roadblocks like a tough preseason and a strong conference top to bottom. Once in the tournament though I think a Sweet 16 bid is definitly realistic.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^
I'm as excited about BBall as Hockey for the first time this millenium.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:46 PM ^
I have been excited for 2009 BB since before last season ended, mostly because of the added size. I can't wait to see if Belien goes tall or small or both. If Novack gets moved to 3, if Manny gets moved to a 2 (his likely position in the NBA), if Simms is a 4 or 5, and who will run the point?
My biggest concerns are: (1) will they still be hungry and (2)who will step up as leaders?
October 15th, 2009 at 4:08 PM ^
I'm really curious to see what is done with Novack. He isn't a natural PF, obviously, and with some new big mean I don't know if they can go with him at the 4 anymore. He can maybe play 3, but if he is behind Harris he won't get many minutes. At the 2, he is fighting with Stu, Vogrich, and maybe even Perry or Morris at times. Novack is a good shooter, and he is really gritty and hustles, but he can't really create his own shot and he is to slow footed to guard other guards on the perimeter so I really don't know what they will do with him. I love the kid, he plays so hard, but his competition for minutes do not have as many weaknesses as he does, so I am really curious to see what Belien does with him because obviously Belien likes him.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:18 PM ^
deficiencies this year. Already reports have him slimmed down to 205-210, and looking quicker. I expect him to get his minutes at the 2 & 3, and also at the 4 if McLimans and Cronin need time to adapt. I mention Cronin not because I think he's a 4, but because if he can play, Deshawn can move to the 4. Stu and LLP will be the point guards while Morris gets his bearings.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:54 PM ^
I don't know if I would have been able to function if it wasn't for our basketball team last year. My state of mind was in terrible shape after the football season. I don't think I'm alone on this one. It's like the basketball team saw this and took it upon themselves to carry Maize and Blue Nation's emotions on their backs. I am forever indebted to this team, and I'm never gonna forget just the pure effort that was put out on the court every game.
I'm so excited for this season and I'm looking forward to that same effort exerted.
October 15th, 2009 at 4:00 PM ^
I hate basketball. Too much control over the action by fairy refereeing. Srsly--this is a sport almost as sissified as soccer. I haven't watched a game in over 35 years.
October 15th, 2009 at 4:06 PM ^
Are you trying to punch a ticket outta here?
Anyways, as mentioned the two big questions are: who leads this team? Who runs point?
Manny and Peedi are not your typical vocal leaders, ala CJ Lee. However, people can grow into that vocal presence. It'll be interesting to see if that happens.
At point I'm presuming we have a wide open competition to start the year. Who knows who'll win out. I have a feeling you'll see alot of Stu Douglass and LLP on the floor at once to start.
October 15th, 2009 at 5:42 PM ^
Don't forget aboaut Darius Morris. By the end of the year he could be at the point. Are we going to be deep or what?
October 15th, 2009 at 6:46 PM ^
He's working on his limbo
October 15th, 2009 at 8:16 PM ^
What purpose do the points serve if a guy with -685 is still allowed to post?
October 15th, 2009 at 4:06 PM ^
Beilein is building a special program. I expect him to be around for a long time, possibly the rest of his career, and to challenge for many Big 10 championships as well as traveling deep in March.
October 15th, 2009 at 4:20 PM ^
Very! This could be the beginning of big ten title contending! Can't wait for the msu game either, definately have to get tickets for that one. It would be nice to beat them at their own game for a change.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:26 PM ^
MSU will be a big matchup this season. How many times do we play them this season?
October 15th, 2009 at 7:18 PM ^
And we play them in EL during their Spring Break so hopefully some of the students will be gone!
October 15th, 2009 at 7:52 PM ^
agreed - and b10 should finally have chance to beat ACC in the b10/acc challenge... and given msus handling of the Big least in the NCAA tourney last year means that there should be credited hype for the b10 on the whole...
October 15th, 2009 at 8:31 PM ^
Preparation H does feel good... on the whole.
October 15th, 2009 at 5:02 PM ^
I say we beat MSU at Breslin for the first time in a LONG time.
Let's face it, we're due.
But yes, as per the general sentiment, I am beyond STOAKED for basketball!
October 15th, 2009 at 5:20 PM ^
I'm really excited about basketball as well this year. I have always been a football girl before anything, but last year I went to my first ever basketball game for UM/Duke, and damnit I am hooked. I can't wait to catch a couple games again this year.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:04 PM ^
Big ten might be down in football, but damn basketball sure is strong.
I'm thinking sweet 16 this year and either Manny senior year or Ziggy committing and this will be a great year for M basketball.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:24 PM ^
Basketball and football are my favorite sports. I love football, but basketball is right up there. I am extremely pumped for this season, though. I play on catching every game possible on TV and hopefully I'll have the opportunity to get to a game. Some big OOC games and a lot of hype for some players on this team. Michigan has exciting gameplay and they stroke it well from deep. I just wish I could make it to Michigan Madness.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:58 PM ^
For hoops. Last year was just awesome and this year's gonna be even better. It's a whole new shining era. Totally pumped.