NCAAs

I am thinking I like Michigan basketball more than Michigan football.

Somewhere in the Montana game one of the announcers said something like 'Michigan is not playing well.  They are forced to take outside shots.'

They would prefer to run their offense like that.  It is something they are good at.  And, here's an added benefit:  they get back on defense faster.

Anyway, they have system everyone associated understands and accepts.  It isn't an abusive or illegal system.  There is turnover in players and coaches and that too is usually above board.  An assistant coach is not going to turn down a head coach offer.  Some players leave because they want to play more, want a different place, or just cannot hack it.  Other players leave because they are going to be a high pro pick and that too you cannot deny to a student athlete.

Most of the top recruits that visit Michigan do not commit.  Recent recruiting has been really good but super-top classes are rare.  Remember, well before Beilien but Michigan still, the Fab Five were dirty.  Beilein and his system are not very friendly to one and dones.  Also, Beilein is not going to pay players.

Michigan got sloppy against Montana and the ideal program did not show itself.

Iggy came to play and X did his thing by just playing and winning.  Montana earned it but I'm not surprised Michigan gave up turnovers on sloppy passes near the top of the key because they have been doing it all year.  They were lucky--and better--that the Grizzlies missed layups and then couldn't get down the floor fast enough for Michigan to put a hurt on.

Although a long-time Colorado resident and someone who is familiar with Montana, I had to look-up Missoula.  It and the school are tiny.  Missoula is way up there and then left, closer to Spokane than anything else.  It is a tough place to field a team that is going to win against a top 10 team.

The news going in was "My bad isn't good enough."  Who started that?  They're sharing the same locker room.  Then Izzo has to go and ruin it as an excuse for his poor behavior; Livers too for defending it.

Uh oh, its is Florida again.  The last Michigan football game against the Gators was underwhelming.

But wait, Harbaugh has solved it by replacing his hires and spending more money.  There is a lot of talent there but there is definitely a lot less proven talent on the defensive side, but sorry to say it, better to get rid of early-leavers and players who don't want to play in bowl games.  That includes Mattison.

(Turns out Beilein said, and everyone else wrote about Michigan regaining its "edge" a few days before.  Bumgardner sort of repackaged it.)