What would a Michigan Basketball National Championship or Final Four Appearance mean to you personally?
Some of us are too young to remember Michigan's 1989 NCAA National title victory over Seton Hall. The Steven Fisher years for me sadly happened when I was oh so very young. However to the past alumni of the 80s and 90s, you remember it almost as if it was yesterday. This Michigan basketball team in my eyes has something special in it. A sense of a dream and a mission. Although this can be said for every year, this year the belief is stronger than ever and with the top point guard in the nation with Trey Burke teamed up with Tim Hardaway Jr and of course that amazing freshmen lineup of McGary, Stauskus and Glen Robinson the III (GR III) Michigan basketball has an amazing chance to run the tables in the B10 and possibly have an undefeated season.
Let's look into the future though a little bit and say Michigan wins the B10 outright and the tournament in Indy, goes to the Final Four and is crowned national champions. To you personally how would a Michigan basketball national title mean to you? Is this something you've dreamed of since 1989? Is this what you've wanted more than anything recently sports wise? In my opinion this win would be a blessing not just for Michigan but for the B1G as a conference. Michigan next to OSU generates the most revenue in the conference both in ticket sales in athletics and merchandise but in the aspect of respect a title like this would put us right back on top where we once were for so long.
I see this Michigan team like the 1980 US hockey team. Very young but capable of so much with great talent and amazing leadership. The most important part is the heart and belief in themselves seems so much stronger than in recent years. Even a Final Four appearance would be amazing in my eyes. It's a long way to go but this Michigan squad is without a doubt the team to watch going into 2013. GO BLUE.
December 24th, 2012 at 12:45 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 1:01 AM ^
go undefeated." With that said it's difficult to see us not losing a game this year because of how vast and talented our conference is but this roster has the skill and leadership to make it happen. I can see us sweeping both MSU and OSU this year which would be awesome. Ohio st in my opinion this year looks like a 4th place team in the B1G. Clearly not the same team they were in 2011 but neither are we. We're better.
December 24th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ^
Calm down there, man. The Big Ten is stacked this year. Half of the league's teams are ranked in the top 20 nationally, and we make road trips against almost all of the other league contenders. We've played one road game so far this season, against Bradley. Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota will be a different can of worms.
We have an excellent team and a chance to do great things, but let's not get expectations out of hand.
December 24th, 2012 at 9:08 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 9:51 PM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 12:50 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 12:58 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 1:00 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 1:08 AM ^
First of all there is NO WAY we go undefeated in the B1G. I can totally see this team making a run at a title; and it would mean quite a bit considering the depths this program had plumbed until Johnny B showed up.
Steven Fisher?
December 24th, 2012 at 9:58 PM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 1:10 AM ^
Seriously, tone down the hyperbole. Yes, this team is good. Yes this team is young. No, this team has zero chance of going undefeated with two games each against Indiana, MSU, OSU, and Illinois, as well as an away game at Minnesota. Plus the BTT and March Madness. That's way too many tough games to not trip up once.
Also, 1980 US Olympic hockey team? Not even a close comparison. They weren't just young - they were vastly inferior in talent and happened to pull off arguably the biggest upset in sports history on such a huge stage.
December 24th, 2012 at 1:12 AM ^
I'm too young to remember the '76 team that went to the Final Four. So the top teams in my memory are the '89 National Champions, the two Webber Fab 5 teams, and last season's B1G champions. I think the '12 team dramatically over-achieved. The Fab 5 teams didn't win the B1G regular season or the National Championship. So this year's team has the potential to meet or exceed the '89 team. I've been wondering lately how the two would match up. My memory of the '89 team is a little shaky, but I'd compare them like this:
Burke > Rumeal, Rumeal was a horrible FT shooter, and wasn't much of an outside shooter either. Burke is becoming quite the master of the pick and roll.
Hardaway > Higgins/Griffin, Higgins was incredibly talented, but didn't match up to the hype. We'll always have the Illini game putback, but I think the way Hardaway has improved his rebounding this year gives the edge to Hardaway. Griffin was just a guy.
Rice > Stauskas, as good as Stauskas has been, it's still early in his career, and I don't see him putting up ~180 points over a 6 game tourney run. Plus, Rice was an underrated rebounder.
Vaught > GRIII, they are vastly different players, so it's hard to compare, but Vaught was a great rebounder and had a nice touch from 15'. Who knows, by the end of the season I might change my mind on this one.
Mills > Morgan, Mills was Kevin McHale-like with all of his low post moves, and Mills also had a nice touch. Morgan gets most of his points from others creating for him. Mills could get his own shot.
Beilein > Fisher. Fisher was an underrated coach, as evidenced by his success at SDSU, but I often thought the '89 team was lost on offense.
'13 Bench > '89 Bench, I don't really remember the '89 bench. Beilein has lots of options on the bench this year. That might give a slight edge to this year's team. Might. There's still a lot of season to play.
What would it mean to me if this year's team won it all? Too early, man, too early, but the thought makes me smile.
December 24th, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^
89 Jersey > 2012-2013 Jersey. (In my eyes, don't judge me.)
December 25th, 2012 at 1:38 PM ^
Such a tough call. Everyone loves the big game maize!
December 24th, 2012 at 9:26 AM ^
The 1989 team had three first round draft picks. Not saying the current team does or does not but that is a pretty ridiculous stat when you think about it. Of course they weren't the only team stacked that year. They had to get by the Flyin' Illini in the Final Four...
December 24th, 2012 at 11:40 AM ^
The '89 team had four first round picks, one in '89, and three in '90. Not only that, but they were high first round picks. Vaught was the lowest at 16. Rice was the 4th player picked. That was before the NBA started drafting foreign players, but that still probably translates to 4 first rounders today. So the '89 team was likely more talented, but Frieder/Fisher were not great bench coaches. I really enjoy watching this team, Beilein's team, work the offense.
I did forget about Mark Hughes and Demetrious Calip, who were solid bench guys. Hughes had to take a backseat when Mills joined the team, similar to what happened to Eric Riley when the Fab 5 showed up.
Yes, Rumeal made the 2 FTs to win the National Championship, but in addition to the incredible pressure of making two FTs in that situation, he was around 50% on the year. I remember hoping he could make at least one and send us to double OT, and then he hit both. Euphoria.
December 24th, 2012 at 1:09 PM ^
I definitely added wrong as I left the '89 draft out of consideration. I keyed in on the 3 taken in 1990. Of course, that Rice guy drafted in 1989 was pretty damn good. And for some reason I thought Vaught went before Mills in '90 but I could be wrong about that.
Sure we had a second rounder too but I think Mr. Higgins will forgive me for leaving him out of the discussion. As you indicated, without the addition of foregin players to the draft board, Sean Higgins still barely makes the cut. Certainly not lessening his accomplishment but also not a huge add to the program at large.
Completely agreed about the Frieder/Fisher-Beilein comparison. Having not been really around for the Johnny Orr era, I'll go ahead and say Beilein is the best basketball coach I've ever personally watched at Michigan.
My comment on Rumeal shooting free throws was a little tounge in cheek as he was basically atrocious (like you pointed out). That was more an excuse for me to post what remains one of my all time favorite sports photos, or at least the closest version I could find. I seem to remember one that was actually in black and white, taken from behind, and showed a much more clear image of the scoreboard/clock. That one is burned into my mind but I couldn't locate it on the interwebs.
December 24th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^
December 25th, 2012 at 2:03 PM ^
or any nicknames on the '13
December 25th, 2012 at 2:04 PM ^
w/ the dang double-post move
December 24th, 2012 at 1:15 AM ^
You have a whole B1G schedule ahead; let's talk about NCAA outcomes and championships in March.
December 24th, 2012 at 1:54 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 1:19 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 1:36 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 1:37 AM ^
I was born in '86 and graduated a few years ago. I have very foggy memories of the '89 team as well as the two Final Four teams, so a National Championship would be one of the biggest Michigan moments I've witnessed in my lifetime, right next to the National Championship in football, hockey's two crowns, and numerous Frozen Fours (disappointments). It would put Michigan Basketball back in the realm of a national power, give us free range in recruiting, and tell Sparty to suck a big one. In my opinion, Final Fours mean nothing unless you win the hardware. I constantly remind my MSU friends that Izzo has the same number of titles as Steve Fisher: one. He's vastly overrated.
This would put us back on top!
December 24th, 2012 at 2:32 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 6:49 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 1:58 AM ^
Did you seriously compare us to the 1980 hockey team? Oh good lord, son!
December 24th, 2012 at 2:05 AM ^
Even if they were capable, and I don't think they are, I wouldn't want to see Michigan go into the NCAA Tournament undefeated, becuase the pressure would put them at a severe disadvantage. It would be at least five times as hard for an undefeated team to win the NCAA as it would one with a few losses.
This is a very good team. It could turn out to be a great team. But it's way too early in the season to make Final Four reservations. This is the best shape the program has been in since the 1989 team, though.
Two things are very encouraging here. First, the program is clean. We can rest assured that there are no Chris Webbers on this team. Second, the recruiting pipeline is flowing very nicely. This looks like a program that can stay very close to the current level from year to year, with great players coming in to replace those who leave early or graduate.
I think this team can make the Final Four, where anything can happen, but it isn't a given, and a team going undefeated in the Big Ten this year is a ludicrous proposition at best.
December 24th, 2012 at 7:08 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 5:57 AM ^
College sports, and college basketball in particular, can be really dirty.
Michigan stands and has stood against that corruption. Whenever Michigan wins, it reinforces a hope that good can triumph.
December 24th, 2012 at 7:30 PM ^
Michigan stands and has stood against that corruption.
No offense but I find this statement odd considering the Fab 5.
December 25th, 2012 at 1:44 AM ^
December 25th, 2012 at 2:14 AM ^
My sincere apologies for not being specific enough. Not trying to make your personal crusade anymore difficult. My original comment still stands and the comment was still odd.
December 24th, 2012 at 2:43 AM ^
I want to make a slight correction to your post: the Big 10 Tournament this year is being hosted by the United Center in Chicago, and is not in Indianapolis.
If you are a Michigan fan, buying all session tickets for the 2013 Big 10 Tourney is a great idea. Tickets are still available, and Michigan has a very strong possibility of making it to the final game. This means that you can potentially attend 3 Michigan games in 3 days for as little as $60 a game (i.e., about $180 for a pass that gives you admission to all 12 games, 3 of which Michigan would play in if they make it to the championship.)
There also is a $50 all session pass (all 12 games) for valid Big 10 student ID holders. I don't know if you can block this together with a friend, but if your class schedule allows you to get to Chicago Thursday night, this is an awesome deal.
I just bought in with 3 other friends a block of 4 all-session tickets. As I said, this is a great deal for Chicago area Michigan fans. If Michigan should come in as a 1 or 2 seed to the Big 10 Tournament, games would be as follows:
- Friday, either 11am or 5:30m
- Saturday, if they win Friday, either 12:40pm or about 3pm
- Sunday, if they win Saturday, 2:30pm.
If you think this info is worthy of putting up as a stand-alone-post, I can do it. (On the face of it, I didn't think it was worth putting up another post.)
LINK to Big 10 Tourney article: http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/101712aaa.html
LINK to Big 10 Tourney bracket schedule: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/2013_mbb_bracket.pdf
In answer to the OP, it would be awesome to see Michigan win the Big 10, and make it to the Final Four. There's a tremendous amount of luck involved, and it remains to be seen how much McGary, LeVert and Stauskas mature over the course of the season. I also really hope that Horford heals up and is able to play strong by the end of the season. Michigan's depth is just sick. This is the year . . . there's no point in waiting.
December 24th, 2012 at 7:25 AM ^
"To you personally how would a Michigan basketball national title mean to you?"
How we do in the conference schedule will say much, but if this team continues to play the same sort of game that they have to date, it is not unreasonable to believe that they can do extremely well in the conference - they will very likely not win them all, but this team is built to compete in all those games if nothing else. You would be hard-pressed to find a game where you could say that they have no realizable shot at winning.
If we're talking 1989, however, what I will say right now is that it is nice to see a similar level of excitement and a similar optimism surrounding this team again. I was 12 when they won the tournament last, so I remember it well enough. I am encouraged by this team - they are built to compete, they have the depth to compete. There are several vital benchmarks ahead, of course, such as the conference schedule and the Big Ten Tournament.
To answer the question based on data from the non-conference schedule only, it would be thrilling , to say the least, to see this very exciting team make a very exciting run, win the Big Ten Tournament and at least make a deep tournament run. We'll see what happens, but the team looks and plays like it is built to make a run like this. If nothing else, it would mean that feelings that I believe few people have had about this program in a long time would be rekindled in full, and it would be nice to see.
December 24th, 2012 at 7:45 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 8:00 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 8:31 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 9:06 AM ^
December 25th, 2012 at 2:15 PM ^
He spelled it "aloud".
December 24th, 2012 at 8:18 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 9:10 AM ^
December 24th, 2012 at 9:38 AM ^
What would a Michigan Naitonal Championship in basketball mean to me personally?
1. After they win the "Sweet 16" game I'll probably start trying to figure out if I can justify the expense of going to the Final Four
2. After they win the "Elite 8" game I'll see what my work schedule looks like for the upcoming week, what hotel rooms cost and how much airfare is to Atlanta
3. If I fail to justfy the expense of attending I'll be up real, real late on April 6th & 8th. I'll also probably get drunk the night of the finals and call off sick on Tuesday, April 9th.
4. I'll ask my brother to buy a Detroit News & Free Press on Tuesday so I can get the sports section and front page framed (I have a "day after" collection of everything Michigan & Detroit pro teams have won from 1984 Tigers on)
5. I'll go to work on Wednesday wearing all the Michigan gear I own and truly annoy the Ohio natives
6. I'll buy a lot of new t-shirts and hats
December 24th, 2012 at 10:04 AM ^
I'm 49, old enough to have a fairly large storehouse of Michigan memories, and as time goes by, "winning the big one" means more than merely hovering around the top. I follow football a lot more than I follow hoops, but I can still remember where I was when Rumeal Robinson hit those two free throws. Going to the dance is nice, but winning it is much more enjoyable.
December 24th, 2012 at 10:13 AM ^
So you talked about how you weren't old enough to appreciate the '89 team then proceeded to compare this team to the '80 US Hockey team. Anyone see a problem with this just from the timeline without even getting into the hyperbole? Oh, you saw Miracle? Okay.
This basketball team winning a National Championship would mean a lot, yes, but you could say that about (m)any Michigan teams though. People generally tend to like winning, especially championships.
December 24th, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
Is UM catches Sparty with 2 NC's. No bragging rights at all for MSU--the so-called "Basketball School" in Michigan. A bigger deal would be if UM wins it this year, then all the guys come back, for some strange reason, and win it again next year.
Hyperbole? hell yes, but we are definitely scratching the bottom of the thread starting barrell anyway, so WTF!
December 24th, 2012 at 10:39 AM ^
I'd be about this happy:
December 24th, 2012 at 10:43 AM ^