Hat Tip To Our Seniors (and others who may be departing)
Mates,
We shrugged off a slow first half and had a dynamite second half. Got to see our seniors go out with smiles and hugs. Happy for guys like Livers and Wagner, too, as they might not both be back. Teske and Z with a record 108 wins (so far). Last home game of the year. Go Blue, win the B10 Tournament and deep into the NCAA's!
Let's hear it for the boys, last game ever at Crisler for at least a couple of them.
XM
Almost feels like the end of an era for Michigan basketball. Under recruited guys who became four year players and were cornerstones of the team, all while winning at a consistent level never seen in Michigan basketball history.
Howard's recruiting prowess makes me feel like this may be the last senior night we have with such impactful players for a long, long while
The seniors had a nice run indeed, under Beilein and really under Howard too, even if it is only his first year. They will definitely be missed.
It was very cool to see Beilein in the crowd to send them off in his own way as well.
That second half was fun. When was the last time we scored 50 in a half against a conference opponent?
Off the top of my head, probably against Iowa
It was nice to see Davis give big bearhugs to both Teske and Simpson. These guys deserve a ton of credit for being part of UM's renaissance, and their leadership after Beilein left and helping Howard have a successful first year can't be overlooked. Congrats to them.
Simpson and Teske have been a part of some great teams and have emerged into great senior leaders and college basketball players. Lots of good memories of both of these guys and them owning the record of most wins by a senior class feels appropriate.
Exciting times ahead for sure, but these guys set the table.
Wait a darn minute here, XM, I'm a senior and I don't plan on departing anytime soon.
Besides, I have a lawn to protect.
Dear robf (aka big country),
you are eternally invited back for your 50th year
Congrats to Z and Teske on very successful careers. Michigan hoops has been a decade-long joyride.
Boy, I sure hope both Livers and Wagner come back. We've got some great players coming in, but losing 4 starters would be really challenging. And selfishly, I love watching them play.
Look at Wagner's stats past 6 games. True freshman. Missed first month of the season. I am terrified Wagner leaves early!
I thought the same thing. Injury and rustiness aside, he’s rounding into form. What I’ve noticed most is the rebounding, knew the shots would start to fall but didn’t think he was an 8 reb guy.
He’s playing great, but would be surprised if he goes to the NBA this year. He’d be a second rounder this year unless he starts getting 25+ point games. If he comes back next year and continues to improve, he could easily be a lottery pick.
Post game address to the crowd Teske couldn’t make it two sentences in before he ( and the crowd) were in tears. I’ll miss these two ...I think I missed three home games in four years with them.
That would have been very cool to see. Very meaningful.
great pic MJ, worth well more than 1,000 words.
I know teske struggles have been well documented this year, and many of us have been critical of him at times. But seeing this makes me want him to succeed sooo badly. Even more so than normal. Kid has given his heart and soul to this University. Go blue big sleep!
I saw you on the scoreboard today.
It helps to know the cameraman when “hug-cam” time comes around. That fan has a smile on his face all game every game so I gave him a well deserved hug.
Congrats to Z and Teske and whoever else is departing. It’s been a great year and hopefully more is to come. Whatever happens it’s going to in all likelihood end in an NCAA bid which is what we wanted this year. Just a chance to see what happens.
Livers will be back for his senior year. Wagner most definitely will not. Hence Davis getting the scholly.
Huh??? I would've thought the other way around
there is at least some chance that livers comes back next year.
there is virtually no chance that wagner is still here in 3 more years. i'm going to guess you both forgot next year will be his sophomore year. my thought is that he will be back for at least one more year, if for no other reason than to bulk up some at camp sanderson. he is really skinny and would get banged around something fierce in the NBA.
History will be very kind to both of these guys, and deservedly so. In addition to accomplishing so many great things from 17-19, helping get Coach Howard to the tournament (relatively easily) in his first season with multiple injuries on the team is absolutely huge. A late hire that replaced a legend and that some people questioned now had no bump in the road during the transition and can take off now with some great recruits.
Congrats and thank you X and Jon, and we’re far from done this year!
I don't know who all will be on the floor and even on the team next year. Time will tell as the roster is ever changing nowadays. But I know I'll love them all the same though.
So much change has happened in the span of a year.
A year ago we dropped 82 on Nebraska on senior day. Iggy and Poole combined for 26 points and head coach John Beilein had an unforgettable video bomb of a Harbaugh interview during the game.
A year later we drop 82 on Nebraska on senior day. Poole and Iggy are in the NBA and the guy who was coaching them was sitting in my section watching the game from the stands.
Thought this was going to be a thread about coronavirus.
Cue Deniece Williams . . .
Hail Xavier Simpson and Jon Teske. And hail Livers and Wagner if they don't return.
Go Blue!
I may just be overly optimistic, but I still see both Wagner and Livers coming back. Livers still isn't even projected to get drafted...I imagine he will test and get his grade and will decide to come back only because he can only really help his stock.
As for Wagner, I'm more terrified of him leaving than Livers because he has really come alive. Thankfully, he is a Wagner and already turned down playing professionally once because he said he didn't want to be a pro yet.
Best case scenario,both Livers and Wagner come back and Michigan has a top 5 squad next year. Worst case scenario, both leave and Michigan still has a great recruiting class and some solid talent in DDJ, Brooks, Johns, and Bajema returning.
Either way, this team will be solid next year and is great hands for far longer.