Spring Game 2014

Just as this spring has been slow to arrive for most of the midwest, so are my blog reports on ND spring football.  The result of a late spring and a late blog are the same = disappointing.

With that said, I'm moving forward now (hopefully spring is with me!) and sharing my thoughts on ND spring football.  I attended the ND Blue and Gold game on April 12 for the first time in my fan history. I was pleasantly surprised with a great crowd turn out and spring weather to go with the game!  We sat in several different seats and met many fans that were enjoying the game similarly to us - in a calm and confident manner.

Before the game began, ND announced that the grass will be replaced with turf by the time this upcoming football season begins.  I personally was not surprised by this decision and I very much can see both view points - those that prefer a grass field and the turf fans.  Good news is that the condition of the field will be more consistent (and it will always look like spring!), however the bad news is that it most definitely goes against ND tradition (which is and always will be of utmost importance to ND fans).

Considering some significant changes to the coaching staff, welcoming new players and saying goodbye to others, I was very curious to see how this Spring 2014 team looked.  I was most interested to see how our QB's played, especially Golson.  Both Golson and Zaire took the field, in fact, Zaire started.  At the end of the first half, Zaire looked….well, like an early spring - crisp, fresh, accurate, and exciting to watch!  Golson was no slouch either - should make for an excellent (hopefully winning) combination.  The running backs and wide receivers showed many skills and looked very promising.
All in all, new players are budding, returning players are stronger and without a doubt ND fans are in for a fabulous 2014 football season - that is after spring and summer have come and gone.

My Pick 6 Offensive Players for 2014 Season:
1. Malik Zaire
2. Everett Golson
3. Greg Bryant
4. Corey Robinson
5. Torii Hunter Jr.
6. Tarean Folston

My Pick 6 Defensive Players for 2014 Season:
1. Jaylon Smith
2. KeiVarae Russell
3. Devin Butler
4. Sheldon Day
5. Austin Collinsworth
6. Romeo Okwara

Go IRISH!
~ Gretchen

Don't Give Up

"Don't give up......... Don't. Ever. Give. Up." Those famous words were spoken by the great Jim Valvano at the ESPY awards in 1993 in reference to the motto his V Foundation would have in the fight against cancer.  These words ring true to me in my life over and over again, and I'm trying to pass the meaning behind them to my children.  I wish more parents would strive to do the same.  I'm about to make an analogy that some of you may think is a stretch, but in my mind, they are completely in sync.


My 3rd grade, 9 year old daughter, whom has struggled with reading confidence in her young academic career, has blossomed into an amazing reader this year.  About a month ago she came home with a 240 page book at the top of her reading range.  She told me she wanted to read it because she and a friend were partner reading this novel.  I was hesitant to let her try such a long, difficult book, for fear that she would struggle and then lose her confidence. Then I thought, if she wanted to give it a whirl, whom was I to stand in the way.


Now, try to put yourself in the shoes of Nik Stauskas', Glenn Robinson III's, and Mitch McGary's parents with coach Beilein sitting in your living room.  It is no secret to anyone that the University of Michigan is no academic chump.  They have high academic standards and expectations, amazing programs, demanding professors and produce some VERY successful people.  It seems to me that some parents may shy away from such a demanding school, but don't stand in the way, and want the best education for their child. Even if it means struggling some.  Much how I felt when my daughter came home with a difficult book.


My daughter started this book and it wasn't exactly a page-turner for her.  She didn't like it at first, and wasn't sure she wanted to keep reading it.  But, she decided that since her classmate was depending on her to keep up, she should uphold her end of the deal. 


Flip back to those basketball players......You're beginning to see my comparison aren't you?? If not, stick with me, it will become clearer.


Glenn, Mitch, and Nik all came to Michigan in hopes of playing basketball and developing their talents.  They did just that. Then, after that first year, some of them began to waiver in their commitment and thought maybe they'd go try out the NBA. However, they collectively decided to stick around and play another year with their teammates. Honor their commitment. Much like my daughter with the book and her classmate.


About half-way through the book, my daughter began to waiver in her commitment to the book. Her friend had quit reading and she was feeling like there was no reason to finish the book if her friend wasn't reading it too. I convinced her to keep going. "Don't give up", I told her.  She was half way done and had been working so hard. Afterall, what good is a half completed book? Nothing. It was nothing but a waste of 2 weeks if she quit now.  She even told her teacher she didn't want to keep reading it. To which her teacher said, "But you've been working so hard, you don't really want to quit now, do you?" After some thinking, my daughter decided she did want to keep reading.


Similarly, these basketball stars were faced with a decision after completing half of their commitment. Now, it's no secret that two thirds of them have made their decision and have, in fact, abandoned their education to pursue the almighty dollar. Mitch McGary is the only one, for the moment, still upholding his end of the deal.  What good is a half completed education? It's nothing but a waste of a couple years of hard work.


I can only hope that Mitch's parents are giving their son, regarding his education, the same advice that I gave my daughter with regards to the book. Because today, she finished the book. It took her a whole month, but she didn't give up. She. Never. Gave. Up.






My Pick 6 reasons to finish college:
1. Education can never be taken away
2. It is the BEST time of your life
3. It's the last time in life to be carefree
4. The money will be there with a completed degree
5. You'll look back on this time with great fondness
6. The memories made will last a lifetime

Hoke, take notes

Yesterday was kind of a big day, in regards to Michigan basketball.  Two of the stars of this year's team announced they would forego their remaining two years of collegiate eligibility, and declare for the NBA draft. 


Since the loss a few weeks back, this has been on the minds of Michigan fans everywhere.  Some of us a little more obsessed than others.  I think I share my thoughts with most of those fans, that, had everyone returned, Michigan would have made a long, tough run in the tournament next year.  They would have been a dreaded opponent on schedules. A pre-season top 5 team according to the experts, of which I am not.  And really, really fun to watch. 


But, that didn't happen.  These kids have decided to go after their life-long dream of playing in the NBA.  So, the fans are left thinking and wondering, "Who is going to fill their shoes?" And what big shoes they wear. 


I've made mention of it before, but I'll do so more explicitly now.  John Beilein in an amazing coach.  He doesn't recruit kids based on stars, or rank, or name, or High School.  He recruits kids that he thinks he can help develop and will fit well into his system.  He recruits kids that he has a connection with. He recruits kids that have those intangible things.  He recruits kids that have "it." And then, he takes "it" and makes "it" better.  He not only develops their skills, their play-making, their basketball IQ, but he also develops them into young men. 


I read somewhere, that he makes a commitment to parents, while sitting in their living rooms, that he will not only coach their sons in basketball, but he will also coach them in life.   I watched this team go from a they'll-probably-not-make-it-to-the-tournament team, to a they-were-seconds-away-from-making-it-to-the-Final-Four team this year.  Yes, they worked hard in the off season. Yes, they were a year older. Yes, they were a year stronger. Yes, they had some lucky shots fall. But none of that would have been possible without the guy at the center of it all.  John Beilein. 


If I was David Brandon, I would arrange a meeting between Beilein and Hoke.  I would give Hoke and Co. assignments.  I would require him to spend quality time with Beilein and expect him to master his craft like Beilein has.  Hoke clearly needs some help in developing players and young men.  There is no denying that the football team has struggled in both of these arenas. Hoke, take notes. Beilein knows what he is doing. And he's really good at it. He's sending 4 potential first round draft picks to the NBA in the last two years.

My Pick 6 top players for next year:

1. Mitch McGary----if he stays

2. Caris Levert

3. Derrick Walton Jr.

4. Zack Irvin

5. Spike Albrecht

6. Any one of the freshman

Go Blue!

~Bekki

My Heart Will Go On

Yes, my heart is still aching a bit from the loss of the basketball team last week, but I was back in my happy place yesterday. The Big House. There is no place like it on earth. There is no place like home. I walk in and instantly I feel the buzz of excitement. The memories come flooding back. I traveled with my husband and one of my brothers down to Ann Arbor for the Spring Game, to tour the newly renovated Schembechler Hall, and to fill our bellies with the best sandwiches Michigan has to offer.


Was the Spring Game an entertaining, well-refined display of Michigan football? No, it was anything but. It exposed that this team still has a long way to go. It showed that Nussmeier doesn't have this offense converted to an "Alabamaesque" type offense......yet.  It showed that Gardner may not be the Heisman hopeful that we all dream he will be. Or Shane Morris for that matter.  But what it did show, is that these kids have only been playing together for a few weeks.  It showed that some of them are technically, age-speaking, still in high school.  It showed that, while some of us fans are sick of the excuse, they are still young.  There are 40+ freshman and sophomores on the roster. And not just on the roster, but listed on the depth chart.  It also showed that while Michigan football may not quite be "back" yet,  they are on their way.  They've got the talent. Now it just needs to be developed.


While many of us are hoping for a breakout season and competing for a B1G Title, or a National Championship, we need to be realistic.  This very well may be a coupla years out still.  For now, we need to rally around these kids and coaches and with each other, to embrace where we are as a football team and not set ourselves up for disappointment and cliff-jumping.

I'm sure, before long, there will be those cliff-jumpers.  Contemplating selling their season tickets. Asking for Hoke's head. Blaming Rich Rod for the current state of Michigan football. Berating Brandon for the money he spends and the business he is running. Degrading Gardner's effort, or lack of, and saying he doesn't play with heart. Thinking Morris and Peppers are the answers and all we need to be National Champs.  I say, relax. Take a step back.  Loosen the noose, heck even slip it off your neck and over your head.  Be passionate.  Be outspoken. Be a fanatic. But, be patient. Sing The Victors. Pump the fist. This is Michigan.

My Pick 6 pics from yesterday:

1.  Inside Crisler Center

2.  That beautiful winged helmet
3.  This is Michigan
4.  Wistert's jersey, which is a onesie.
5.  Us with the new Bo statue.
6.  Ahhhhh, a view from the student section


Go Blue!
~ Bekki

Agony

 ag-o-ny: noun \ˈa-gə-nē\ 1. great pain or anguish: intense physical pain or mental anguish 2. intense emotion: a consuming emotion


This about sums it up for me today.  My team lost a heartbreaker in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In the last 36 hours I've experienced both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  After the clock read zero and the game was over, there was this feeling of emptiness, hopelessness, and disbelief.  I was so sure they were going to "Win the Game." Then that damn freshman hit a 3-pointer and leaves Michigan with only 2.6 seconds to tie the game.  I knew the ball was going to be in Nik's hands, and I honestly could see the ball going in and them heading to overtime. 


Not 2 minutes before when the game was tied, my 9 year old said, "No, not overtime, it takes so long." After the shot was made by Kentucky she quickly said, "I guess I do want them to go into overtime." Sorry, honey. No overtime tonight. No game next weekend. No Final Four appearance. No banner. No more time. No shining moment. Nothing. Done. Over. Silence.


I always go through a mini withdrawal when a season ends, but especially when it ends so abruptly like it did tonight.  I'm proud of how far this team went in the tournament and the type of game they played.  NO ONE gave them a chance when McGary went out, let alone losing Burke and Hardaway Jr. I have to admit, I was a little concerned as well., but never gave up hope or believed what they said. I wasn't sure they would fill the voids, get bigger and stronger, and be able to make another run at it.  But they did, because of the guy with the nervous tick that leads this team. 


Those naysayers forgot about the ace in the hole, that is John Beilein. He is one hell of a coach and pulled these kids together to make a run that no one predicted.  I hope he can convince them all to stay and play together for another year. If not, I'm confident that he will compose team 99 and we'll be back in this position next year. But for now, I'm just in agony. 


Forever and always. Win or lose.
Go Blue!
~Bekki






 

Feels So Good

My last post was a rant about the lack of passion that I saw on the court last weekend.  Yesterday was the exact opposite.  Those kids showed up to play. They played with passion, fight, grit, edginess and undying commitment. Which resulted in a victory. And what a great win it was.


Today's post may come off a little braggy, rub-it-in-your-face, poor winner, arrogant, classless, whatever name you want to give, I don't care.  You play the game to WIN! And winning feels so good. Especially when it is against an in-state rival with a fan base that never misses an opportunity to point out a Michigan loss.


Today it was my turn. I did it in my own way. I wore my maize and blue proudly to work (as did both of my daughters). I silently sang The Victors all day in my head.  I never said a word about the game, unless a rival mentioned it first.  And not surprisingly, I wasn't presented with many opportunities to talk about the game.  For you see, this is how the majority of them are.  When their team beats Michigan, they can't wait to walk into my classroom and rub it in my face. I've even had them ask me if I watched the game. To which my response was, "Do you know me? Of course I watched the game. I never miss a game." Or when Michigan lost the heartbreaker to Penn State this year in eleventy hundred overtimes, a Sparty asked me "But, wasn't it exciting to watch?" Ummm, no!


I couldn't have been more proud of the way Michigan bounced back yesterday from the terrible loss they had last weekend.  Things didn't go their way for the first half of the first half, but thank God for Caris LeVert.  He isn't always pretty to watch, he doesn't have the natural athleticism that GR3 exudes, but there is no denying that kid works hard. Every game. Every minute. Every play. I loved his 3 pointer that he hit to end the first half. He turned and started heading toward the locker room before it was even 1/2 way to the basket.  In a post game interview, he said he knew it was going in as soon as it left his hands.  I think that basket was the turning point in the game. 


The second half looked nothing like the first for Michigan.....in a good way. A really good way.  And it just kept going from there.  The 3s started falling for Stauskas, GR3 had a sweet behind-the-back catch alley-oop, the hustle on defense from all of the guys was awesome.  That's the way I want them to play.  Like it's the last game they'll ever play.


There has been a question all year about whom the best team was in the B1G.  I don't think there is question anymore. It's Michigan. Michigan.


My Pick 6 favorite quotes from post-game interviews yesterday:
1. "I knew it was going in as soon as it left my hands." Caris LeVert
2. "The better team won today." Tom Izzo
3. "It feels good, but we're not satisified." Jordan Morgan
4. "We came out with the right mentality today." Glenn Robinson III
5. "When you're making tough shots, it takes a lot out of teams." Nik Stauskas
6. "Michigan's back in so many ways." John Beilein


Go Blue!
~ Bekki

Where's the passion???

Nothing irritates me more when I'm watching a game than to see no passion in the play and faces of the players.  This happens time and time again in both football and, more recently, basketball.

It happened today in the game against Wisconsin. They trot up and down the court like a 4-H pleasure horse, perch themselves in the corner as if Beilein has put them in "time-out", rebound like it's a fall afternoon and they're reaching for an apple at the top of the tree, and their passing looks like they're pitching to t-ballers.  It. Drives. Me. Crazy.

I feel like I have more passion and drive in my living room, than they do out there on the court.  If you don't want to play and play to win, there are several other guys that work hard that would love to be out on the court in your place. And at times, I wish Beilein would do it.  Just to teach them a lesson. Just to show them that everyone is replaceable. Just to let them know that he notices. Just to reward the guys that rarely see playing time.

And it doesn't really do much good when you're down 10 with 1:30 left to decide that now might be the time to get your heads out of your, well you know where, and play with some passion.  I understand that it is a long season and it's hard to stay "up" for every game, but for heaven's sake, could you at least try to convince us that you want to win??

Maybe next week you will.

My Pick 6 things I look for when watching a game:
1. aggressive play
2. celebrating with teammates
3. communication
4. looking to the coach
5. fundamentals
6. hustle

Go Blue!
~Bekki