The Rivalry Resumes
While the rivalry on the football field has been extorainarily one-sided the last fifteen years, anytime Michigan and Ohio State square off in any sport it becomes must watch. This weekend’s game at Crisler Center is no exception as the surprising.....no that’s not quite right.....the shocking Big Ten leaders Ohio State face off against Michigan. This is Michigan’s last chance to record a Top-25 win as the regular season dwindles down.
Why is this important? Because the committee and basketball pundits are very down on the Big Ten this season. In past years where the Big Ten would get 6-7 teams in, they are projected to only send four teams to the 2018 NCAA Tournament. According to most projections, Michigan is currently the 4th and final Big Ten team to make it into the field. Nebraska (which beat Michigan earlier this year in Lincoln) is on the outside looking in. This means that there is likely little room for error if Michigan wants to compete in the maddnesss come March. Sunday presents a shining opportunity for the Wolverines to capture another tournament resume win and help secure their spot in the field of 68.
Last night, Ohio State travelled to Happy Valley and got thumped by a resurgent Penn State team (the same Nittany Lions team the Wolverines will face on Wednesday evening). The Buckeyes are looking to secure a No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and improve upon their projected No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Like Michigan, they too are looking for a Top-25 win this weekend.
Back in December, Michigan dropped a golden opportunity to secure a highlight road win when they blew a 13 point halftime lead against Ohio State. With 5 minutes left in the game, Michigan had a win probability of 72% and somehow still managed to allow Ohio State to go off and rally for the win. Michigan cannot be plagued this weekend by streaky shooting and spotty defense - two of their Achilles heels this season.
Oh, and a word on one Andrew Dakich. Dakich, as you may recall, was once a walk-on at Michigan who was rewarded with a scholarship by John Beilein in one of the most memorable ways. When Dakich graduated, he - like many other student athletes - chose to play his final year at another school where he might seem more playing time. Dakich had exactly 345 schools he could have chosen - and after four years of absorbing Michigan culture - he chose Ohio State. I will never criticize a student athlete for leaving a school to go somewhere else - coaches do it every single day. But you absolutely, cannot, under any circumstances, GO TO YOUR BIGGEST RIVAL. Of course if you are at all familiar with his oddball dad, then leaving to go to Ohio State shouldn’t surprise anyone.
You can’t leave Michigan to play at Ohio State. When you do, you forfeit all benefits of being a “Michigan Man” and the respect that you should be paid thereafter. So when he touches the ball - feel free to boo. When he misses a shot - cheer as loud as you can. If there was an annual Benedict Arnold award, Dakich would win it.
Why is this important? Because the committee and basketball pundits are very down on the Big Ten this season. In past years where the Big Ten would get 6-7 teams in, they are projected to only send four teams to the 2018 NCAA Tournament. According to most projections, Michigan is currently the 4th and final Big Ten team to make it into the field. Nebraska (which beat Michigan earlier this year in Lincoln) is on the outside looking in. This means that there is likely little room for error if Michigan wants to compete in the maddnesss come March. Sunday presents a shining opportunity for the Wolverines to capture another tournament resume win and help secure their spot in the field of 68.
Last night, Ohio State travelled to Happy Valley and got thumped by a resurgent Penn State team (the same Nittany Lions team the Wolverines will face on Wednesday evening). The Buckeyes are looking to secure a No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and improve upon their projected No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Like Michigan, they too are looking for a Top-25 win this weekend.
Back in December, Michigan dropped a golden opportunity to secure a highlight road win when they blew a 13 point halftime lead against Ohio State. With 5 minutes left in the game, Michigan had a win probability of 72% and somehow still managed to allow Ohio State to go off and rally for the win. Michigan cannot be plagued this weekend by streaky shooting and spotty defense - two of their Achilles heels this season.
Oh, and a word on one Andrew Dakich. Dakich, as you may recall, was once a walk-on at Michigan who was rewarded with a scholarship by John Beilein in one of the most memorable ways. When Dakich graduated, he - like many other student athletes - chose to play his final year at another school where he might seem more playing time. Dakich had exactly 345 schools he could have chosen - and after four years of absorbing Michigan culture - he chose Ohio State. I will never criticize a student athlete for leaving a school to go somewhere else - coaches do it every single day. But you absolutely, cannot, under any circumstances, GO TO YOUR BIGGEST RIVAL. Of course if you are at all familiar with his oddball dad, then leaving to go to Ohio State shouldn’t surprise anyone.
You can’t leave Michigan to play at Ohio State. When you do, you forfeit all benefits of being a “Michigan Man” and the respect that you should be paid thereafter. So when he touches the ball - feel free to boo. When he misses a shot - cheer as loud as you can. If there was an annual Benedict Arnold award, Dakich would win it.
Michigan -vs- Ohio State
Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Sunday, February 18, 201 8
2:00PM EST
CBS /WWJ Radio
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