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Posted on Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 11 a.m.

Michigan basketball orders a 'Maize Out' for Ohio State game, other activities and prizes planned

By Nick Baumgardner

MaizeRage_Utah.jpg

The Maize Rage student section won't have to worry about its apparel for Saturday. Michigan officials are calling for a 'Maize Out' at the Crisler Center. The game against Ohio State will be preceded by a live broadcast of ESPN's College Basketball GameDay and include other activities and prizes.

When the Michigan basketball program welcomes Ohio State and a national television audience into the Crisler Center on Saturday (9 p.m., ESPN), Big Ten title implications will be at stake on the floor.

In the stands?

Well, the crowd will apparently be having plenty of fun.

Michigan has called for a "Maize Out", encouraging all fans attending the game to wear maize-colored attire. Additionally, each fan will receive a maize-colored pom pon.

The game has already been declared a sellout, giving Michigan seven sellouts in its last eight games. The only Big Ten home game not officially a sellout was an overtime win over Northwestern, which featured a crowd 116 people shy of capacity.

Also Saturday, Michigan will bring back "FanCam," a photo technology the school used prior to kickoff of the Michigan football team's "Under the Lights" home game against Notre Dame in September.

For the basketball game, all fans are encouraged to arrive early, as "FanCam" will take a 360-degree image of the Crisler Center 10 minutes prior to tip, following the completion of the national anthem. Fans will have the opportunity to tag themselves in the photo via social media.

In conjunction with "FanCam," which will be sponsored by Coke Zero, several prizes will be handed out during the game.

Fans in attendance have a chance to register to win two tickets to Michigan's regular-season home finale against Purdue (Feb. 25), four tickets to the 2012 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis (March 8-11), two tickets to the Michigan football team's home opener against Air Force (Sept. 8) and two tickets to the Wolverines' home football game against Michigan State (Oct. 20).

The Michigan-Michigan State football ticket prize will also feature pregame hospitality passes.

The entire day begins with ESPN's "College Basketball GameDay" originating live from the Crisler Center, hitting the air at 10 a.m.

Fans wishing to attend the broadcast may begin lining up at 5 a.m., and doors to the arena will open at 7:30 a.m. The first 500 students in line Saturday morning outside of Crisler Center Gate D will receive a numbered wristband that will serve as a fast pass to the front of the student season ticket holder line later that evening.

Students in line must present their Michigan vs. Ohio State student season ticket voucher, and a valid M-Card to earn the bracelet.

The morning "GameDay" program will run from 10 a.m. to noon, and is a free event. "GameDay," featuring ESPN personalities Rece Davis, Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas and Hubert Davis, will reconvene for a live evening show prior to tipoff, beginning at 8 p.m.

Those wishing to attend the evening show must have a valid game ticket.

For the game itself, the broadcast team of Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas and Erin Andrews is expected to have the call.

The 17th-ranked Wolverines (19-7, 9-4 Big Ten) and the sixth-ranked Buckeyes (22-4, 10-3 Big Ten) will tip at 9 p.m.

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.

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Comments

mczacharias

Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.

dear michboy40, coaches, etc.: I need to say it. ?I am embarrassed and ashamed to see the continued use of "ohio" when referring to our rival.? Is this really where we have come to as a university community? ?I urge the university, the athletic department, the coaches, the students. alumni and fans to return to the University of Michigan 'high road' and begin to show some respect -- please, let's get back to a heated rivalry with Ohio State!

Wally the Wolverine

Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 6:11 p.m.

This is a "must win" for a couple of reasons: 1. against an arch rival 2. stay in the race for the B1G OSU appears to be loaded for bear since their undressing by MSU.

michboy40

Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 4:51 p.m.

Michigan wins this game going away. ohio has better athletes, but our leadership is better, and we are at home. Look for Hardaway to break out. I believe the crowd wills them to victory!

a2miguy

Thu, Feb 16, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.

Man, there sure is a heapin' heckuva lot of hype surrounding a game we will more than likely lose. Sure hope I'm wrong.