jmblue

March 19th, 2009 at 11:03 PM ^

I think JB wants to make sure he has a fresh big man at all times, and if he plays the two at once, he has literally no option coming in off the bench. The big mystery is what would have happened if Cronin hadn't needed to redshirt.

Gus_possessive…

March 19th, 2009 at 11:23 PM ^

For rebounding purposes I'd take a tired Gibson and Sims over a fresh Sims/Gibson and anybody else. Does that make any sense? What I'm trying to say is a tired Gibson body will still rebound more effectively than a fresh Novak body. It became clear tonight how much we needed his size.

If keeping a fresh (or non-foul plagued) big man is the only reason not to play them simultaneously, at what point does March Madness adrenaline override endurance concerns? Aren't the boats already burned?? Leave it on the court and don't let Oklahoma dominate the paint!!

Gus_possessive…

March 20th, 2009 at 12:48 AM ^

A second post defender and rebounder... In fact, I don't really know what Gibson does poorly. Am I missing something obvious? He's a strong finisher, heads-up defender, and can set a nasty screen. Obviously he's not a better player than Sims so I don't propose he steal Sims' minutes, but can't he somehow play more?

foreverbluemaize

March 19th, 2009 at 10:58 PM ^

My DVR was set to record the game but something happened and it did not. Does anyone out there know if the game will be rebroadcast in the next day or two? I think after the bad year we had last year with only 10 wins and then the horrendous season we had on the football field I would have been elated to just make the NIT. One or two wins in that and I would have been shouting from the rooftops. When we got to win 17 or 18 I really started feeling good about these WVU coaches. I know that the road from here does not get any easier (through the tourney anyway) but to me even this game was gravy so congratulations to all UM players and staff on a huge win following a huge turnaround. I have amazing hope for our football team as well now. Thank you Manny and all others.

The Man Down T…

March 20th, 2009 at 12:42 AM ^

they always make it interesting. It's what you get with a young inexperienced team. But the magic of this season is still going baby! Unbelievable. Win or lose Saturday, I'll be partying for the big Blue! Dang I'm proud of this team.

drewsharp64

March 19th, 2009 at 11:15 PM ^

jeusus i never knew how fun the tourney was until you have your team in it. im gonna be in aa saturday not for ok. its gonna be wild!!!

goblue02

March 20th, 2009 at 12:43 AM ^

Brian, you have had a lot of great posts over the years. There was a diary about your best posts of all time. I think this has to take its place among the list of legendary posts. It may lack the eloquence of other posts, but it just sums up everything I, and probably many others, just spent the last 3 hours saying (in between shots and beers, and yes, even glasses of champagne): Michigan basketball is relevant again.

a2bluefan

March 20th, 2009 at 1:41 AM ^

Haters: "You won't beat Minn."
Blue: WRONG

Haters: "You won't win a game in the B10 Tourney."
Blue: WRONG

Haters: "NIT for you again, blue."
Blue: WRONG

Haters: "One and done in the NCAA."
Blue: WRONG

Haters: "No chance against Oklahoma."
Blue: Zzzzzz.... Are you done yet?

GO BLUE!!!!!

MechEng97

March 20th, 2009 at 6:57 AM ^

I'm still pumped and thank god it's Friday. That was the looooooooooongest game of all time. I still laugh that Stu dunked...get up white boy!
Manny finally got the calls that the Big Ten refs usually never gave him. That was fun...well painful, but in the end fun!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Elno Lewis

March 20th, 2009 at 7:42 AM ^

Go Blue!

Congrats on a great win.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Grady scared me shitless.

Gibson! Stu(d) dunking! Manny pounding the rock!

Need more cliches'!

baleedat

March 20th, 2009 at 9:03 AM ^

Am I the only one who was forced to watch American v Villanova and Minn. v Texas the entire second half while watching our lead dwindle in the score box at the top of the screen? I understand that M was way ahead when they cut away, and those were two good games...but fuck man. You suck dong CBS.

Kolesar40

March 20th, 2009 at 9:15 AM ^

has done this year. He deserves a lot more credit than what he is getting. BTN was showing Mich-Wis football game from this year at the same time, so I was going back and forth. That was the only game I attended this year, so it was nice to enjoy the lone shining moment of the football season. I just about had 2 heart attacks within 5 minutes last night.

will

March 20th, 2009 at 9:58 AM ^

Is anyone else conflicted about the upcoming game? Dont get me wrong, I want to win - BUT - could a tourney run endanger next season? Say we may it to the sweet sixteen riding on Manny's back - does that send him off to the pro's?

I really see this team as only being better next year, assuming Manny and Sims are both back...

03 Blue 07

March 20th, 2009 at 11:00 AM ^

I hear what you're saying, but I gotta say I disagree. I think the best thing to do is just enjoy the ride and take this all in and worry about next year after THIS year is over. I am pretty damn sure Manny is coming back, given that he said he hasn't inquired about where he'd be taken in the draft, and has no plans to. And as for Peedi, I think he should stay, I think he probably knows he should stay. He's a beast sometimes, but when he encounters a player of similar size who is athletic, he seems to struggle. His future is likely as a jump shooter as a pro player and, thus, another year of honing his J would definitely be smart.

Sorry for the tangent. Point is, ENJOY THIS! And don't count your chickens re: next year. Who knows what could happen next year with injuries, etc, and CJ Lee will be gone and he's sort of our floor general, and I am a tad concerned about how his departure will affect us.

Anyway. . . how sweet does it feel to be in the tournament, and WIN? Just. . . awesome.

Gus_possessive…

March 20th, 2009 at 11:10 AM ^

Manny's mom told me she wants him to stay two more years to get his degree. That's probably a long-shot when staring at NBA millions, but one more year does seem probable. It is a good sign that he hasn't joined the likes of Greivis Vasquez by announcing his intent to play in pre-draft camps.

In other news, according to CBS we reached the tournament on an automatic bid as Southland Conference tournament champions... http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/mayhem/edge/south/OK/MI