Great Season

After getting over the initial shock of realizing the season was over, and after moving past the initial anger towards the referees, who gave Blake Griffin a Lebron-like treatment, I just wanted to reflect on this past season for the Michigan Wolverines.

What a great, unbelievable season!

Michigan did what all of us thought was impossible at the beginning of the year: the team got to the big dance, and advanced!  Michigan Basketball fans were treated to two excellent games in the NCAA tournament.  By doing so, I had the most fun I have had watching college basketball in my entire life.  (seeing as how I barely remember, nor could I truly appreciate, the fab five when I was 6-7 years old).  

But, Michigan proved to be a good basketball school yet again by beating teams like Duke, UCLA, Clemson, Illinois, and Purdue, and going down to the wire with top 5 schools like Oklahoma and Connecticut.  Michigan had their ups and downs, and were placed squarely on the bubble for about 3 straight months.  However, they overcame where Tommy Amaker teams failed.  They made the tournament, celebrating like they had just won the lottery when seeing their name on the screen of the selection show.  Not to be outdone, Michigan went in to a tournament game, its first in 11 years, and won on the back of Manny Harris.  The miraculous season ended in upsetting fashion, but in a game that did not lack in thrills.  Michigan had Oklahoma worried, but they just happened to have the best player in college basketball.

So congratulations to Michigan on advancing a round, something teams like Ohio State, Illinois and Minnesota cannot say.  Congratulations for making the tournament with a group of players everyone doubted.  And finally congratulations to the basketball program for hiring the right coach and bringing Michigan basketball back on the map.

While this loss hurts, there is so much to look forward to next year.  Sims and Harris both announced that they would be back next year; our graduating class only includes C.J. Lee, David Merritt, and Javon Shepard, and most importantly, John Beilein is back.  Michigan will have yet another year under their belt utilizing the Beilein system.

The tournament appearance, coupled by the win over Clemson, and the promise of a new basketball facility should entice some nice talent to head up to Ann Arbor.  And even if the talent isn't quite "top-tier," expect Beilein to do what he does best: win with less talent than other coaches could dream of.

So, in the grand tradition of "Putting it in Stone," I will dip into my spiritual gift of foresight and make a prediction.  Michigan will make the Sweet Sixteen in 2010.  

Put it in Stone.