Power Outage

The game started with CBS having some type of power outage in the TV Truck and ended with the Wolverines having the same.   Texas Tech used its defense and Michigan's terrible shooting to blow out the Wolverines early in their Sweet 16 match-up.

It was clear from the tip, the Wolverines were off their game.  Not sure if it was the scouting report,  jet lag, poor preparation, but John B's squad didn't pack their jumpers on the trip to California.   These teams are not that different, TT made circus shots in the first half to build a lead and Michigan didn't.   That gained them enough confidence to blow the game open early in the second half, as Michigan's confidence to shoot the ball was completely shot.  Zavier finished with an ugly stat line of zero points, 4 turnovers, 1 assist.  Livers didn't score, Teske had 4 points, and Poole finished with 8.

This has been brewing for some time, Beilein's teams usually start the season slow and finish strong as they learn the offense and each other.   This team did the complete opposite, their defense led them early and while other teams got better, Michigan stayed the same.   That formula is not going to win you any championships.   I'm trying to remember when Michigan beat a really good team this year, was it North Carolina?  That game was played on November 28th.

Its hard today not to draw a parallel with the football team.   Both programs have good coaches, both programs struggle to find balance between a good offense and a good defense and both programs got embarrassed when the lights where the brightest this past season.   I'm a fan of both coaches but neither one of them are going to win any National Championship until they can't find a team that plays on both sides of the ball or floor.

Michigan won 30 games this season, which is a very good effort, but they let a regular season Big Ten Championship, a Big Ten Tournament Championship and a trip to the Elite 8 out of their grasp.   This team wasn't going to be Gonzaga on Saturday and I give TT only a small chance.   Coach B is going to have a long off season trying to figure out how to score the basketball next season.

On a positive note, your Saturday just opened up.


Welcome to the Football Off Season

Some Spring Practice Buzz:

• With a ton of WR's out, Black who is healthy for a change, has been impressive.
• Jimmy is very happy the teams conditioning and believes they are in very good shape. 
• The offensive line has experience and might be the best he has had, only the RT position is up for grabs. 
• Team seems to be happy with the TE's, I actually have a concern with that position as I thought they way under preformed last year. 
• DT Michael Dwumfour has been impressive and hopefully is taking a Mo Hurst jump during his senior year. 

I'm concerned about RB depth and our top WR's missing spring practice with the new speed in space installs.   It's great to hear about the offensive line but if they are matching up against the D Line in practice, they should be better as the defensive line is expected to take a step back.   Michigan is expecting a lot from the #50/Mikes's this year:  Big Mike Onwenu on the offensive line and Michael Dwumfour on the defensive line.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/03/power-outage.html

Michigan Thursday: Defense Wins Championships

Michigan and Texas Tech are the top two defensive teams in the country.  It doesn't matter which team is 1 or 2 because both can defend you.   Tech has a future pro in Jarrett Culver who clearly has a great opportunity to be spoke person for the Butter Burger fast food chain.

Tech also has a 3 point shooter in Davide Moretti, which is the type of guy that has been trouble for the Wolverines in games against MSU and of course in the National Championship game vs. Villanova.   Here is a tip, don't leave this guy wide open to hit pre-game 3 point jumpers.

I also expect that Charles Matthews will be on Culver duty.  We will need to see March Madness Matthews in this game, staying out of foul trouble will be key.

I haven't watched too many Texas Tech games this season and their game on Sunday happened to be on the same time Duke - UCF.  What I noticed is Tech's strong defense and that they turn the ball over a bit.  If Michigan can get some easy transitions points, that might be the difference in the game.

The Wolverines also need all their offensive weapons.  Iggy can't take a day off, Poole needs to be efficient, and Teske needs his solid 14 point game.   The Wolverines will also need a strong game from Livers off the bench.  This will be a low scoring game, first team to 60 points wins.   I like that Coach B has had 5 days to prepare, this would have been a difficult match-up with one day preparation.

• I wrote a post a few years ago about recommended changes for the football team.   One of my recommendations was to hire an old NFL offensive line coach to fix the issues the Wolverines were having.   That finally happened as Jimmy has hired Juan Castillo as an analyst.  Juan will be 60 in October and has experience coaching offense and defense in the NFL.  He was the O-Line coach for the Bills the last two years and also worked for Jimmy's brother John for 3 years prior.  He has been coaching somewhere since 1982.  Welcome Juan and get those boys run blocking and pass protecting like they never have before! 

• Don Brown spoke about how last year ended, he is clearly upset.  That is fine but I want him to fix the issues.  I know he is one of the best DC's in the country but those last two games where borderline fire worthy.   I'm so tired about hearing about mistakes made against Ohio State.   Prepare early and often for that game!!  I would have two analysts that do nothing but prepare for the Ohio State game. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/03/michigan-thursday-defense-wins.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Big Ten Coaching Changes

With the Big Ten's Big 3 in the Sweet 16, the other Big Ten teams are taking a hard look at their programs.  Indiana lost last night at home as the #1 seed in the NIT which I'm sure makes the IU faithful very un-happy for a number of reasons.

Nebraska who already lost in the NIT yesterday fired their head coach Tim Miles.  The rumor for over a week is that former Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg will take that job.   Which many believe is a big step up for Nebraska who has to compete against the likes of Beilein, Izzo, Miller, Pitino, and others.

Speaking of Coach B his first defensive coordinator hire Billy Donlon who left for a similar role at Northwestern has gotten a head coaching job at University of Missouri Kansas City.    Congratulations to Billy!

• The only person in the country to have a perfect bracket is a former Saginaw resident that now lives in Columbus.  

• People are finally waking up to Devin Bush Jr. as he is now listed as the #9 draft pick in Mel Kiper's latest mock.   

• Does anyone else think that the Green Bay Packers are going to draft Chase Winovich to replace Clay Matthews who signed with the Rams?

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/03/wolverine-wednesday-big-ten-coaching.html

Michigan Tuesday: Lucas Andrighetto Running This Spring

Michigan Football has taken a hit a RB.  Senior Karan Higdon is heading to the NFL draft and skipped the end of the year exhibition.   Chris Evans got in some hot water with the University and currently suspended from the team and classes. Highly ranked early enrolled true freshman Zach Charbonnet is out this spring after a knee procedure.

That leaves Christian Turner, who looked good in the exhibition against Florida, Tru Wilson former walk-on, and Hassan Haskins who they brought to offense after spending time with Don Brown's squad.  That is not a ton of depth, which means somebody has an opportunity to turn a few heads.  

“49 is Lucas Andrighetto,” Harbaugh said. “Another really good move. He moved from safety to running back. You remember Tru Wilson was a safety when he first started, and then became a running back. In my opinion, Andrighetto is better than Tru Wilson when he first moved over from safety to running back. But, Andrighetto’s got speed, he’s got savvy in there. He really is seeing the holes. And, for somebody who’s only been playing running back for four practices here with us – he played running back in high school – but 49, Lucas Andrighetto, has emerged as somebody that’s gonna be a really good player.

“Tru Wilson’s doing a good job – Andrighetto can catch the ball out of the backfield, as well. He’s doing a good job.”

Who is Lucas Andrighetto you say? He is a walk-on sophomore from Mountain View, California.  He hasn't seen any game action yet but was the Scout Team player of the week during the Northwestern prep.  Lucas is 5'11 and 180 pounds. 

Lucas was a two way player (Safety and RB) at St. Francis High School.  At RB he had 54 carries for 362 yards with a 6.7 yards per carry as a senior.   He also caught 7 passes for 77 yards.  

If want to watch videos of Lucas playing HS football, here is a link to his MaxPreps page.   

Fun BHB Fact:  I think he looks a little like Sam McGuffie.   Which means he might be a future Olympic Bobsledder! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/03/michigan-tuesday-lucas-andrighetto.html

Maryland and Japan renew economic partnership

Governor Larry Hogan and Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama have signed and renewed a Memorandum of Cooperation that reinforces the relationship between Maryland and Japan. The renewal highlights the regions’ continued commitment to working together to promote trade, investment, life sciences collaboration, academic exchanges, and information sharing. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-and-japan-renew-economic-partnership/

Michigan Monday: Getting More Big Sleep

By now you know Michigan beat Florida Saturday night.  It wasn't the prettiest game as both teams played solid defense and caused the other to shoot poorly.   Michigan was led by Jordan Poole with  19 points and Livers added 10 with a great late game dunk.   No other Wolverine scored in double figures.

Iggy struggled again offensively with 5 points and March Madness Matthews added great defense but only scored  9 points.   We all know the value that Zavier Simpson brings to the team but this team is completely different when Jon "Big Sleep" Teske is not in the game.   Jon gives the Wolverines such a big presence on both sides of the ball.  On offense, his pick and roll offense is key for the Wolverine having good ball movement, which equals better offense.   When he is on the bench, the Wolverines get one dimensional and the ball movement dies.   Jon provides great defense as a  7'1 human being for opponents to shoot over.  If I could pick one area where Jon has really improved, its how quickly his moves his feet on defense.   It's really impressive for a big man.

Michigan will need everyone on top of their game as they play a similarly strong defensive squad (KenPom #1 and #2 top defensive teams) in Texas Tech on Thursday at 9:39 PM EST in California.

• We should know more about Chris Evans status as a Michigan student in about two weeks.  He has filed his appeal and we should hear a decision soon.  Chris right now is taking online courses and working as a delivery person in Ann Arbor.   I don't know what he did, but he is a good kid and I hope he gets a second chance.   

• Michigan Football has 4 practices under their belt now in Spring Practice and Coach Gattis is liking how the team is transitioning to the #Speed in Space offense.   He said the Wolverines are not going to huddle and will be throwing the ball downfield, but will also have a pro style running game as well. 

• Instate 2020 WR Maliq Carr was back on campus on Sunday. He is planning to announce his decision in October.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/03/michigan-monday-getting-more-big-sleep.html

Maryland receives nearly $2 million in grants for cancer research

The American Cancer Society has awarded three new grants to support and further cancer research in Maryland.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-receives-nearly-2-million-grants-cancer-research/