Michigan Monday: Happy To Be Invited

There is nothing worse when your a kid not to be invited to a "cool" party.   The Michigan Basketball Program pretty much since the late 90's was that kid in high school.  The only party they got an invite to was the NIT.  Michigan's last invite to the Cool Party was 2009, which was the first time since 1998. 

Not this Year!  The upside for this years team was clearly the NIT.  Michigan took basically the same team they had in 2009 and finished with a losing record in 2010 season.   The combination of Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims got Michigan back to the tournament but could not repeat that feat the next year and both players headed for the NBA.   So Michigan would have one of the youngest teams in the nation with no seniors and a bunch of true and redshirt freshman getting a ton of playing time.  The projected finish in a tough Big Ten was anywhere from 8th to 11th place.  Michigan finished 4th and lost to the #1 team in the nation in the Big Ten Tournament. 

John Beilein clearly has done his best coaching job of his Michigan career this year with this over achieving team.  It has been a fun ride most of the year (minus the 6 game losing streak).   Michigan is now an 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament taking on much aligned Tennessee Volunteers whose coach Bruce Pearl lied to the NCAA and the SEC suspended him basically half of the SEC season. 

I hope Michigan beats Tennessee and plays Duke in Round 3 because I know the Wolverines wouldn't be afraid after playing OSU 3 times, Kansas, and Syracuse.  Even if they lose on Friday, this year has been more "cake then frosting".  Starting on Friday, it's nothing but frosting and I hope the young Wolverines enjoy it and come back next year and play championship basketball. 

Fab 5 30 for 30 Last Night

I thought was real and entertaining.  I appreciated the openness that each player had during the piece.  It was a special time and the documentary showed the highs and lows of those 2 years.   The Fab 5 put Michigan Basketball on the map.   The 1989 National Championship run was special but the Fab 5 took the Michigan program to another level, it also destroyed the program for 10+ years. 

Ed Martin Scandal:  I would like it proven how Ed Martin was a Michigan Booster.  Like Jalen said, ED gave money to many Detroit high school players.  Yes, he paid some Wolverines.  But what about players that went to other schools?  Did he pay Spartans?  Did he pay Golden Gophers?  The answer is yes.  If he did, how could he be a Michigan booster?  Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with him paying players and yes, Michigan should have been punished for it's players taking money but Ed wasn't paying players to come to Michigan.  He was paying players for a return when they made it to the NBA.

Chris Webber:  Yes, I wish the entire situation with him and Ed Martin never happended but whats in the past is in the past.  He was a young kid and the LeBron of his time.   He picked Michigan because he wanted to be part of something special.  He was right it was a special time, he was wrong to take money from Ed Martin but I have to agree to what Mitch Albom said, if he took $300K from Ed Martin, I don't know what he did with it?   Around A2 at this time, it was pretty well known that Chris struggled with money for CD's, food, etc.   So my point is, not whether he took the money or not, my point is there is more to this story then we know.  If Chris wants to tell it, it's up to him.  If he doesn't he should be remember as a special part of the Fab 5 and we all should just move on.

Anything sound familiar?

• A team that wasn't supposed to do anything ends up a high seed in the NCAA Tournament
• One of the youngest teams in the nation
• Potential Duke Match Up
• Wins over Michigan State
• Close game during the season over the top team in the nation 
• OSU being the top seed in the tournament and Big Ten Champion

This team clearly was not the top recruited class in the country but there are some interesting parallels to that FAB 5 team.  Either way, this time of the year is much more exciting when Michigan is participating. 

Friday's game is at 12:40 and will be on Tru TV.