mgoblogging

“I thought Michigan was terrific, especially at the defensive end,” Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said. “I’m sure they'd like to play a little better offensively. Defensively, they were everywhere dialed in.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q_BVdjVcLU

Maryland is a pretty team to watch.  They have excellent players, and when they play as a team they are good.  They don't play cheap or ugly.

In this one they simply got killed early, and with the pink and the crowd they were never really in it.  But they have what looks to be a proven M. O. and when they played that way, and without turnovers, they look competitive.  They don't necessarily look better than that because they could be one-sided; put another way, they don't seem to have learned anything in terms of the tactics others have used against Michigan.

Testudo Times is well done and the comments are polite and smart.  "Sources" there predicted Maryland starts slow.  They appear to be in Turge's corner, and why not?  His record is excellent and he behaves with decorum.  Football-wise I think Matt Canada got shafted but a clean break makes a lot of sense too, after all, anyone associated with DJ is suspect.

Turgeon's path there is an odd one, given Maryland's pedigree as an Eastern basketball power.  I guess I'd rather lose to Maryland than Iowa, which brings us to...

...which looks like a real culture clash.  Forget padding Michigan's resume, I am going to be rooting for Turge and Don Fernando.



So let's write about Warde Manuel.  He is a genius, astute patron for fans and the community, and a fine representative of physical fitness and conditioning.  He is none of those things.

But Michigan always seems to be in prime time or at least a good time.  Certainly it is only for those of us who look, but there is usually a game around the corner--one to pick up a loss or even MSU or Ohio State that is can't miss.  Maybe it is just something to do on a Tuesday night.  Especially in Mountain Time, the 10 AM games are a great way to start the weekend.  That's what sports are, a diversion.

And the schedule, whoever heard of a team that plays the first half of the season at home?  It seems like everyone associated with the basketball team this year has overachieved.

For Michigan this "pink out" was a big game.  Congrats Warde.