Biggest emotional swing of any UM Program Ever?

Submitted by freejs on

Imagine even the plane crash didn't happen. 

We were literally on the wrong end of an epic historic moment with the game ender at NW. 

I can't think of another situation where we went from such a gut punch of a moment to something this incredible. 

Of course, the team just clearly did not get down at all over what happened in Evanston. And like I said at the time, it was a great game, the team played well, and it was just a savage moment that didn't go our way. 

But they went to lay a freaking beatdown on Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank. Some other teams may have been tight knowing they had put themselves in a spot. They just tore through them like a wolverine through hot corn. 

Then the mortal combat finisher on the Illini. Then the epic overtime win over top seed Purdue. Then the gritty submission of Minnesota. And then pure fucking ecstacy by beating nemesis Wisconsin to seize the crown. 

So from the low of Pardon's lay up to the high of cutting down the nets and all that in what, 11 days??? 

WD, other Michigan historians (Wolv historian, et. al) - can you think of other swings that dramatic for a UM program? I guess the first one that comes to mind is the Frieder fiasco to Rumeal hitting the free throws (I never managed to dunk more than a volleyball in my life and that night I jumped up and touched an 11 foot ceiling). That one also included some nightmare white knuckers in the early rounds. Can you guys think of others? 

I'm just in awe of how we went from the horrible moment at NW to this amazing feat. 

And then you add in the fact that we went from the incomprehensible of almost losing our guys - the upset and the emotion of the crash to this, I just can't believe what just occurred. 

 

MGoBoard

UMfan21

March 12th, 2017 at 11:10 PM ^

I know you clarified in season, but I feel on a macro level, 1997 football. Moeller had 4 losses in 1993 and 1994. then he was embarrassingly fired. Lloyd Carr stepped in and also has 4 losses his first two years. following Bo's footsteps, four 4 loss seasons in a row had a LOT of people grumbling. I remember people feeling optimistic going into 97. I was in high school and really liked what I saw out of Woodson in 96. But certainly nobody thought we would go undefeated. we came out and smacked Colorado in the mouth, PSU on Judgement day, you know the rest. it saved our football program and was completely unexpected.

Joined: 09/28/2009

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Michigan4Life

March 13th, 2017 at 12:31 AM ^

that they thought the past 3 years sucked when they haven't lived through Ellerbe and Amaker years. This is tame and JB at least made the NCAA tournament.

It's hard for any team (unless you're Duke, Kentucky, Arizona, etc. who can pull in 5* recruits every year) to sustain early NBA draft entries every season. They lost Trey Burke, Nik Stauskas, GRIII, Mitch McGary, THJ, Caris LeVert in that time span (you can include Darius Morris as well). It's like they expected Michigan to recruit like blueblood programs which they aren't and JB won't get into dirty recruiting.

Also, they had to deal with two of their best players with major injuries like Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton which Michigan had to reshuffle the role while bringing up players early.

This season, JB has reaped the benefits of players stepping up and expanded their role to perfection. He has 5 players on court at all time who is a threat to go off at anytime and finally has a defense to go with his offense.

Next year, JB needs to figure out how to replace Derrick Walton's production/leadership at PG. It will take some growing pains but they'll get better as the season goes on. It all depends on the development of Xavier Simpson and getting Eli Brooks up to speed as well as allowing MAAR get time as a PG.

Joined: 07/29/2010

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UMinSF

March 13th, 2017 at 1:20 AM ^

On their bracketology show Dakich spent several minutes emotionally describing the ordeal the hoops team overcame, and commending the team and Coach Beilein for their bravery and character.

It was classy of his co-hosts to give him time and space to detail the events, and he did a damn fine job. 

Impossible not to root for this team - Go Blue!

Joined: 04/06/2009

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Other Andrew

March 13th, 2017 at 6:17 AM ^

Not af the same level, but the general malaise from the fan base heading into the 1997 season was pretty significant. The team had lost four games each of the previous four years. Despite going 3-1 vs OSU, the vibe was that Michigan was in decline, and the outlook for the year was not promising. I vividly recall a friend sending me the news that "Fuckin' Griese was named starter for the Colorado game. Another great year of Michigan football..." Wr knew Woodson was special, of course, but I don't think anyone imagined it would be the best Michigan team in a half-century and national champion.

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