Monday Quick Hits: Michigan Drops Second Straight Game in Basketball

By Sean · Monday, January 19, 2009 · 2:36 PM |  Share | Leave a Comment 

• No defensive coordinator has been hired, but “some progress” has been made, according to Rich Rodriguez.
• Michigan split with Bowling Green in hockey over the weekend. On Friday, Michigan lost 3-0 in what was just an awful game all around. Bowling Green’s goalie played great, and it seemed like each and every bounce went in the Falcons’ favor. That’s no excuse, though, as Michigan played very sloppy and didn’t deserve to win. On Saturday, however, Billy Sauer got his first start in quite some time and shut out Bowling Green. As usual, he didn’t get much goal support, but Michigan’s one goal in this game was enough for a much-needed victory.
• The Wolverines will look to get on another winning streak this weekend with a series against Michigan State. Friday’s game will be at Joe Louis Arena and Saturday’s matchup will be at Yost Arena.
• Despite a pretty bad first half of shooting by Michigan on Saturday, the Wolverines only trailed by 4 points to Ohio State after 20 minutes of play. In the second half, they made a run and actually took a 4-point lead before Ohio State took over the game. Michigan again struggled to make shots and Ohio State continued to attack the post. They simply had too much height and ended up taking a double-digit lead in the last minute of the game. Michigan tried to make a miraculous comeback with a couple three-pointers and actually did cut the lead down to 4. Ohio State, however, didn’t miss their free throws down the stretch and went on to win 65-58.
• Manny Harris kept Michigan in this game by scoring 21 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. Stu Douglass also kept Michigan in it, as he made 4 three-pointers in what was his best game in recent memory. DeShawn Sims, on the other hand, struggled for the second game in a row. He shot 4-13 from the field and ended up with only 10 points. He had trouble shooting against Illinois as well, and it’s becoming evident that when he struggles, Michigan struggles.
• On a positive note, Crisler Arena was sold out on Saturday and the crowd was very pumped up for the 1989 team at halftime.
• Michigan’s next game is at Penn State on Tuesday night. The game will get underway at 9 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network. U-M can’t afford to lose three straight with the schedule only getting tougher. I wouldn’t necessarily say tomorrow’s game is a must-win, but hopes of making the NCAA tournament will start fading pretty quickly with each and every loss.
• As expected, Michigan is no longer ranked after losing both games last week.
• MGoBlue posted some new panoramic photos of Michigan Stadium.
• The Cardinals and Steelers will play in Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, and nine former Michigan players or assistant coaches are headed to Tampa Bay for the game. Larry Foote and LaMarr Woodley are starting linebackers for the Steelers, and Steve Breaston, Gabe Watson, Alan Branch, Jerame Tuman, and Victor Hobson are all on the Cardinals. Steelers assistant offensive line coach Harold Goodwin is a former Michigan player and graduate assistant, and Cardinals defensive backs coach Teryl Austin was a Michigan assistant from 1999-2002.
• The New York Giants promoted Bill Sheridan (Nick’s father) to defensive coordinator.