Michigan basketball about to enter a grueling stretch against Top 25 teams
Even though Michigan coach John Beilein does his best to look at things from game-to-game, even he is aware of what the Wolverines are about to face.
Before the season, this upcoming stretch of games was pinpointed as the most difficult of the season.
Now it is -- and it is also extremely critical to Michigan’s post-season hopes.
Michigan starts Thursday night against Indiana at home, then has Connecticut at home on Sunday. Then the Wolverines travel to Wisconsin on Jan. 20 and Purdue on Jan. 23.
The gauntlet finishes at home against Michigan State on Jan. 27.
“We’re going into a span of five games in 13 days that I’ve never seen before,” Beilein said on his radio show Monday.
Four of the five are ranked in the Top 25 -- led by No. 6 Purdue and No. 7 Michigan State. Wisconsin is ranked 13th and Connecticut 15th.
So there are opportunities for big wins, but also a four-game stretch most teams don’t have to face.
Combined, the four ranked teams are 51-11.
“Really, it is a difficult one,” Beilein said.
Beilein happy with fan support Even as Michigan has struggled throughout the season, Beilein has been pleased by the way the fans have showed up at Crisler Arena.
“It’s wonderful to come out of that tunnel and see the maize in that end zone,” Beilein said.
The Wolverines had one crowd under 10,000 at home all year, the season-opener against Division II Northern Michigan.
This and that Beilein said 9 p.m. games are tougher for him because he doesn’t stay up as late anymore, but it’s Indiana. … Beilein compared transfer Jordan Dumars to former West Virginia player Frank Young, who was a very effective player for the Mountaineers. ... Beilein said Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun was a mentor to him when he entered the Big East. ... Beilein said there are no major injuries on his team right now.
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
guns4me
Wed, Jan 13, 2010 : 3:14 p.m.
engineer, MSU football=bowlgame um basketball=no game By the way your football team is a joke!!!
Engineer
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 8:43 p.m.
Headed down a steep icy slope. Typical Michigan BB. Reward the leaders with an extension before any championships are won. We are as bad as ND or MSU football. Talent level continues to lag MSU or OSU at a school that can offer an education far better than either one. No excuses for the poor performance of the program. The scandal is years old and the excuses run on forever. This year we will not even make the NIT but next year if we do we can celebrate and offer another extension to the leaders.
aarox
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 12:50 a.m.
Indiana is even softer than we are and will fall. Michigan will rise to the occasion and catch Connecticut by surprise. Michigan will split with Wisconsin and Purdue and survive this part of their schedule. I do get concerned when Beilein say Were going into a span of five games in 13 days that Ive never seen before,. This speaks to lack of experience. Texas, NC, and M*ch*g*n St*t* do this every year to get ready for the season or just because that is what good teams do. We need to get used to it and not face these stretches with trepidation.
2sweetblue
Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 9:18 p.m.
Sweet thanks Bill Martin..... Why can't the man just retire and have NOTHING to do with U of M! He already has done to much!!
vi4mi4
Mon, Jan 11, 2010 : 8:18 p.m.
Last Chance Saloon for building a tournament "resume"... with Heart and Effort, doable... Play Hard, Play Smart, All the time. Go Blue! v