Michigan Basketball: A season of what-ifs

Being in Argentina now, I was not able to catch the Michigan-Ohio State Big Ten Tourney Basketball tournament game that took place earlier today. But after reading about it and watching highlights, I'm certainly glad that I wasn't following it live, because this not-so-happy ending was just the cherry on top of a season gone horribly, horribly wrong. For those that didn't watch the game, Michigan lost 69-68 on a near-half court, desperation three pointer by who else but Ohio State stud Evan Turner:



I wish I could say that I was surprised with today's sequence of events, but Michigan basketball's season has been full of potential highs followed by devastating lows. We start off the season winning three straight, then struggle, going 2-5 in the next seven games. We beat teams like Ohio State and Connecticut before losing to teams like Northwestern. Even within the span of games, the Wolverines could never find any sort of consistency, almost getting back on track against Michigan State earlier in the season before a Kalin Lucas jumper did them in before the buzzer. Then, in a game where Michigan was losing for the majority, we fight back to take a lead on Manny Harris' jumper with two seconds left. Only to see constant Michigan nemesis Evan Turner (who had been having a relatively quiet game by his standards) hit the shot that ended any chance Michigan had of getting another opportunity to show the college basketball world that they are capable of playing up to their talent level.

Hopefully, Harris will return to school to give Michigan the athletic penetrator that Michigan so desperately needs for next year, and underclassmen will come in/continue to develop, but you have to be hurting if you're a Wolverine. This has been one of the worst sports years that Michigan has had. Better times lie ahead, but for now, the book closes on a disappointing season.

A final shout-out to Deshawn Sims, who played hard all season even when others did not. Your hustle will be missed and hopefully you served as a valuable role model for others (besides Zach Novak, who doesn't need any more hustle).

UCONN's Calhoun to take temporary medical leave of absence...

The University of Connecticut has announced today that legendary men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun is taking a leave of absence to deal with some undisclosed medical issues. These issues are reportedly not related to any of Calhoun's previous medical problems (he's also a three-time cancer survivor). Tough loss for the Huskies, who are already on a three game slide after losing Sunday's game at Michigan .

Wolverines Upset No. 15 UConn

The Wolverine Men's Basketball team whooped up on the Huskies, winning 68-63 at home. Fans rushed the court after the game. The commentators noted that although it was a big win for the Wolverines, they weren't sure rushing the court was called for. Personally, I think it is always appropriate to rush the court - Wolverines just know how to have a good time!

A little wolverines desperate plea for sanity...

While watching Michigan VS BC and drinking a Miller High Life last night, I found myself in the company of a Buckeye, who also went to Penn St, who also is a Peyton Manning fan... How did this happen? There was a good hour where a Mr. Smith was trying to convince me that if I just went to the Horseshoe Stadium that I would fall head over heels and become a Buckeye. OK granted it was named a Historic Landmark on the greatest day of the year, March 22, which just so happens to be the day when all the world celebrates my birthday... but this does not mean that there is any chance that I will now or ever consider becoming a Buckeye. I mean the Shoe doesn't even have night lighting and I would never associate myself with a smelly, poisonous nut let alone a Peyton Manning fan. Where have all the Wolverines gone??? Come back please! Ann Arbor is being overran with Ohio missionaries...COME BACK!