Saturday, February 12, 2011

Michigan basketball team hangs on to beat Indiana, 73-69, for third consecutive victory - AnnArbor.com

STAFF

By: Michael Rothstein
AnnArbor.com Staff

Michigan basketball team hangs on to beat Indiana, 73-69, for third consecutive victory

Topics: Sports, UM Basketball, UM Campus

Posted: Feb 12, 2011 at 6:02 PM [Today]

The shot clock wound down as Michigan junior guard Zack Novak drove down the right side of the lane and hit the baseline as the clock hit 4.0. He whipped a pass across the baseline to an open Tim Hardaway Jr. in the corner.

As the shot clock buzzed, Hardaway Jr.’s shot fell through the net. The basket gave the freshman forward a career-high in points and accentuated the second half for the Michigan basketball team Saturday in a 73-69 win against Indiana.

As Hardaway Jr. obliterated his former career high of 20 points by scoring 26 against the Hoosiers, Michigan turned a single-digit game at halftime into what looked like a rout.

The Wolverines (16-10, 6-7 Big Ten) led by as many as 22 points after a Darius Morris layup, 66-44, and they looked like they might coast to their third straight victory. Indiana cut into the lead late on its own 10-0 run, similar to what Northwestern did toward the end of Michigan’s win Wednesday.

Indiana's Matt Roth made a 3-pointer from the left wing with 40 seconds left to cut the Michigan lead to four, 69-65. The lead was down to three at 70-67 after a Christian Watford layup with 27.9 seconds left capped a 23-4 run by the Hoosiers.

Watford, who was questionable to play Saturday, led Indiana with 14 points.

Michigan blew its 22-point lead mostly through poor free-throw shooting. The Wolverines were 19-of-37 from the free-throw line, including 8-of-19 in the second half. That led one woman in the Michigan crowd behind press row to yell “Seriously?” after another set of missed free throws from Hardaway Jr. in the closing seconds.

Indiana’s free-throw shooting wasn’t much better as the Hoosiers went 13-of-22.

Michigan used a 9-4 run to open the second half — all from 3-pointers from Stu Douglass and Tim Hardaway Jr. — to take a 41-28 lead. That made Indiana coach Tom Crean call a timeout.

Out of that, Michigan continued on another 7-2 run to break open the game.

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein

Tags: Wolverines

Michigan basketball players have their confidence back entering today's game against Indiana - AnnArbor.com

Posted: Feb 12, 2011 at 10:35 AM [Today]

The confidence is back.

The Michigan basketball team’s recent resurgence of four victories in five games has inspired a newfound confidence as it enters a rematch Saturday with Indiana (4 p.m., Big Ten Network).

It was a much different feeling than the last time Michigan (15-10, 5-7 Big Ten) saw Indiana (12-13, 3-9), when the Hoosiers demolished the Wolverines, 80-61, in Bloomington on Jan. 15 when Michigan was in the middle of a six-game losing streak.

“It was a rough stretch that we went through where we were coming close and just couldn’t get over the hump,” junior guard Zack Novak said. “At Michigan State we pulled out a close one, and it just gave us a lot of confidence.

“Still have a lot of work to do, but it’s good guys are feeling good about themselves and guys are just playing a lot better. Just aside from confidence, we’ve gotten a lot better as a team.”

This is suddenly a team of players who believe in each other, believe in the system and in themselves.

It was a message Michigan coach John Beilein stressed in a pre-game speech at Michigan State according to a video on JohnBeilein.com and is something that became obvious as the Wolverines came from behind to beat Penn State, 65-62, and then held on to a lead against Northwestern on Wednesday night.

“Guys are just being aggressive,” Novak said. “I don’t want to say we’re being flashy as a team because the solid teams win. Typically the solid teams win, the flashy teams don’t.

“You can be flashy and solid sometimes but a lot of times you’re better off making the solid play. It goes back to the confidence we have going now.”

Michigan basketball players have their confidence back entering today's game against Indiana - AnnArbor.com

Michigan basketball players have their confidence back entering today's game against Indiana - AnnArbor.com

Posted: Feb 12, 2011 at 10:35 AM [Today]
The confidence is back.
The Michigan basketball team’s recent resurgence of four victories in five games has inspired a newfound confidence as it enters a rematch Saturday with Indiana (4 p.m., Big Ten Network).
It was a much different feeling than the last time Michigan (15-10, 5-7 Big Ten) saw Indiana (12-13, 3-9), when the Hoosiers demolished the Wolverines, 80-61, in Bloomington on Jan. 15 when Michigan was in the middle of a six-game losing streak.
“It was a rough stretch that we went through where we were coming close and just couldn’t get over the hump,” junior guard Zack Novak said. “At Michigan State we pulled out a close one, and it just gave us a lot of confidence.
“Still have a lot of work to do, but it’s good guys are feeling good about themselves and guys are just playing a lot better. Just aside from confidence, we’ve gotten a lot better as a team.”
This is suddenly a team of players who believe in each other, believe in the system and in themselves.
It was a message Michigan coach John Beilein stressed in a pre-game speech at Michigan State according to a video on JohnBeilein.com and is something that became obvious as the Wolverines came from behind to beat Penn State, 65-62, and then held on to a lead against Northwestern on Wednesday night.
“Guys are just being aggressive,” Novak said. “I don’t want to say we’re being flashy as a team because the solid teams win. Typically the solid teams win, the flashy teams don’t.
“You can be flashy and solid sometimes but a lot of times you’re better off making the solid play. It goes back to the confidence we have going now.”
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

SDSU offensive coordinator Al Borges expected to join Brady Hoke at Michigan - AnnArbor.com

sounds eerily similar to RR when he left his DC, but I guess since Hoke is a 'defensive coach' this should be less of an issue.

SDSU offensive coordinator Al Borges expected to join Brady Hoke at Michigan - AnnArbor.com

Brady Hoke will bring Al Borges - and his 23 years of experience as an offensive coordinator - with him to Michigan, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The newspaper said San Diego State defensive coordinator Rocky Long will succeed Hoke as the head coach of the Aztecs. Borges, the offensive coordinator on Hoke's staff the past two seasons, is expected to head to Ann Arbor. That's the opinion of the agent that represents both coordinators.

Borges has also been an offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Auburn (2004-07), Indiana (2002-03), California (2001), UCLA (1996-00), Oregon (1995), Boise State (1993-94) and Portland State (1986-92).

While at UCLA, he was twice a finalist for the Frank Boyles Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Last year's San Diego State team finished 16th in the nation in total yards (456.7) and 19th in scoring (35.0).

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Miles & Brandon Met Monday/ Peterson Declares & hints that there won't be a lockout?

Not quite sure if there is any meat to the Peterson quote, or if that's just an agent trying to hook him while he can... But interesting

The Daily Reveille

Miles meets with Michigan AD

Peterson declares for draft

By Michael Lambert

Sports Writer

The focus of Monday's press conference was supposed to be on LSU junior cornerback Patrick Peterson.

But the attention immediately turned to the future of LSU coach Les Miles after Peterson finished talking about foregoing his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Multiple reports indicated that Miles and Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon met Monday night in Baton Rouge to discuss Michigan's job opening. LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette confirmed that the meeting took place Monday night, according to ESPN.com. After the meeting, Brandon flew back to Michigan.

ESPN.com college football analyst Joe Schad reported Monday afternoon that a source told him Miles would accept the coaching position at Michigan if he was offered.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune refuted that report Monday night after receiving word from a high-ranking LSU official that stated "Don't worry. He's not leaving."

After Miles spoke briefly about Peterson and Peterson himself announced his plans to enter the NFL, Miles came back to the podium and added insight on the rumors linking the sixth-year LSU coach to Michigan.

"To this point in time, I've not talked to anyone from Michigan nor has any of my representation done anything but have very distant conversation with representatives that would represent the school," Miles said.

Michigan fired former coach Rich Rodriguez last week, and Miles, a former Wolverine player and assistant coach, is a candidate for the position.

"I'm told we will speak but that time and place has not been identified," Miles said. "It's hard for me to speculate to the substance of that meeting."

Early reports indicated Miles would meet with Michigan officials Tuesday while he is in Dallas for the American Football Coaches Association's annual convention. The headquarters of Miles' agent, George Bass, is located in Dallas. But Michigan got Miles earlier than anticipated with the Monday night meeting.

Miles has been mum up to this point among the rabid speculation. Despite the late night meeting, Miles expressed his desire to stay with LSU on Monday afternoon.

"I want to return right here," Miles said. "I'm extremely happy here ... I have a real comfort with my family in Baton Rouge."

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva released a statement Monday after the press conference regarding Miles' interest in Michigan.

"I can certainly understand Coach Miles' desire to accommodate his alma mater by speaking with them during their coaching search," Alleva said. "We remain committed to working toward keeping Les Miles as the head of the LSU football program, a program that wins at a high level, graduates its student-athletes and represents the university well in the community under his leadership."

Miles' statement overshadowed Peterson's declaration to the draft, where he is projected as a top-5 pick.

"These three years at LSU, this place will never be forgotten by me," Peterson said. "I'm definitely bleeding purple and gold."

Peterson said he aims to be the highest cornerback taken in the draft. The previous highest picked defensive back was former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shawn Springs, who was picked third overall in 1997.

"I have huge goals for myself," Peterson said. "I hope to be the No. 1 pick.

Peterson's decision comes without knowing the fate of the NFL for next season. The current collective bargaining agreement expires March 3, but even if there is a lockout, there will still be a draft. The biggest question is whether or not Peterson's salary will be affected.

Peterson wouldn't be paid during the lockout, but could still receive money from whatever agency he signs with. The obstacles with the NFL, however, didn't deter Peterson from declaring.

"I got pretty good advice ... I don't think it's going to be a lockout," he said. "This decision was a no brainer."

Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert

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Contact Michael Lambert at mlambert@lsureveille.com

Reports: LSU officials react quickly to Les Miles' meeting with Michigan - AnnArbor.com

Reports: LSU officials react quickly to Les Miles' meeting with Michigan

Topics: Sports, UM Campus, UM Football

Posted: Jan 11, 2011 at 9:42 AM [Today]

While the rest of the college football world watched Auburn beat Oregon in the national championship game, LSU officials were meeting with coach Les Miles, trying to keep their coach in Baton Rouge.

The Shreveport Times reports that LSU athletic director Joe Alleva and other school officials met with Miles late Monday night following Miles' meeting with Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon.

"LSU officials are talking with coach Miles," LSU associate athletic director Herb Vincent told the paper after 10 p.m. Monday. "They're trying to keep him."

Brandon met with Miles in Baton Rouge on Monday. Television reports said he left town at 7:40 p.m. He declined to comment upon returning to Willow Run Airport Monday night.

It is not known if Miles was offered a contract by Michigan. If so, the New Orleans Times-Picayune wrote that whether Miles will stay or go depends on which side is doing the talking.

The paper reported that Miles felt obligated to meet with Brandon out of respect for his alma mater, but according to two LSU players, Miles' quote to them was: "I'm probably staying."

A high-ranking LSU official, speaking on the request of anonymity, told the Times-Picayune: "Don't worry. He's not leaving."

An ESPN report cited a source close to Miles saying he would accept the job if offered.

Tags: coaching change, umfb, Wolverines

Hail to the Victors Valiant

Saturday, February 12, 2011