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Date Title Body
I really hadn't watched this…

I really hadn't watched this UConn team until recently, but after doing so, I fully agree.  I know a lot of things can happen and there are certainly other good teams deserving of 1 and 2 seeds, but exactly none of them have looked anything close to as dominant as Hurley and his Huskies, including Purdue, and I think the Boilers are easily the best team in this year's (down) Big Ten.  Match-Ups in the tournament matter and all that, but I think Connecticut has a significant chance to be the 1st repeat champ since Donovan's Florida Gators.

 Coach Hart is incredible…

 Coach Hart is incredible and he's done an absolutely fantastic job with our backs since he's been back in Ann Arbor.  Love that guy, loved watching him churn out yards and pile up touchdowns when he wore the winged helmet and as always want nothing but the best for him.

I feel like Washington could…

I feel like Washington could score 70+ if it was necessary on USC, because their offense is so dynamic (when it's "on", which is most of the time) and USC gives up big points/offense yards to seemingly EVERYONE.  That's the thing stopping me personally from saying this is the week for U-Dub to go down.  As many have already said, as much as we'd like to see it, I just don't see Missouri and/or Rutgers having a realistic chance, although they might hang in there for a half or so.  Missouri did come very very close against UGA in Columbia last year...but no dice between the hedges for them this year.

I'll be flying from DTW to…

I'll be flying from DTW to Denver for a family wedding on Saturday...when I first heard it would be a fall wedding, I was nervous, but then when the date was set and it turned out to be the bye week, I felt like one lucky son of a bitch!

There are a plethora of side…

There are a plethora of side-splitters posted on this thread, but this one got me involuntarily laughing.   Well played...and also the plain truth!

I will be there with my dad,…

I will be there with my dad, looking forward to Michigan taking on another road challenge and taking care of the Spartans in their house!  Hoping for an incident-free experience both on the field and in the stands/stadium environs (of course entirely expecting requisite amout of verbal abuse). Probably won't be spending all day in E. Lansing, but still looking forward to witnessing this chapter of the rivalry!

Rob, thanks for posting this…

Rob, thanks for posting this, I had missed it when BiSB had originally posted it, apparently.  I laughed my ass off reading it and hearing the words in my head to the tune of Lightfoot's song.  A fitting MGoBlog-style tribute to a great man and one of his greatest songs!

Hell yes! Finally some

Hell yes! Finally some offensive rhythm!

The shooting in this game has

The shooting in this game has been atrocious on BOTH sides, but LSU is using some weird voodoo to make most of their terrible shots go in. Also, I pretty much hate the way this game is being called with a boatload of cheap fouls

Gonna need to find the

Gonna need to find the shooting touch earlier this time out if we want the win...nice offensive board and 3 ball from Matthews, hopefully him and Mo have big games.

You know, Greg McElroy can

You know, Greg McElroy can come off a bit goofy, but at least he has some actual level-headed, halfway sensible opinions about college football issues du jour. That being said, I am beyond ready for this damn basketball game to start!

College Football Live Insightful!

Breaking news, guys! Harbaugh is in play for the UCLA job!

Nice Win

I think Oregon is pretty decent for a team wihtout much depth, they don't have a very diverse offense, but i think they are a team that should find a way to squeak into the tournament by the end of the season.  Nice win to pick up against a Ducks team that could make some noise in the Pac-12, and now we get to see how we handle a very legit "Nova squad that trucked VCU.  Jay Wright always seems to field strong teams, and they will be very tough to beat, UM will have to play better than tonight to win, but it would be a huge early season resume builder.

Pep Bands

As a side note to the actual game, did anyone else notice (I did just as they went to halftime) that it seems like Oregon has their actual band there while the Michigan fight song was played by what sounded and appeared to be a group of local high school band members in maize shirts that struggled through "The Victors?"

University of New Mexico Lobos

I have family that lives in Albuquerque most of the year, and having spent time there and attending a Lobos football game (yet to see a basketball game at "The Pit" but I can't wait to, it's a great venue from everything I've heard and seen on TV), I have taking a liking to the campus and the teams.  It's not anything like Michigan fandom, especially being an alum, but I do find it fun to have another team to follow and root for, and I have actually enjoyed watching the Mountain West develop into a formidable conference going even further back than liking the Lobos.  The football team has fallen on hard times, they used to be decently good under head coach Rocky Long who went to San Diego St. as DC under Brady Hoke, and then replaced Hoke as HC for the Aztecs.  Lobo basketball has been pretty solid for a long time, and dominated the conference under current UCLA coach Steve Alford (I know, I know), and they are still a pretty good bet to make the NCAA tourney, probably as the 2nd or 3rd team out of the MWC.

Bubble Watch/Big Ten Title Watch

I have been addicted to keeping tabs on bubble teams, mostly using ESPN.com's "Bubble Watch" the last few weeks, and some of the teams vying for an at-large invite are really interesting (Iona, Harvard, St. Louis, etc.) while others seem like they definitely should not be a tournament team, and most years wouldn't even be discussed, but because of the "soft bubble" have a fighting chance (Colorado, Colorado St., St Joes, UCF, etc.).  I also have consistently marveled at just how bad the Pac-12 has become; in the old Pac-10 days not long ago, I recall watching the usual powers at UCLA and Arizona and sometimes Stanford and Washington, and it just seems impossible to me that it is such a bad conference these days.  They literally beat almost no decent team collectively out of conference and even the teams at the top of the standings (UW, Cal), are considered major bubble teams.  There are a few "elimination" type games between bubble teams that will be of great interest this week, and of course the conference tournaments should be outstanding with so many teams still trying to either get the auto-bid or otherwise prove their worth with a marquee win.

Also, I would definitely like to see Northwestern finally make it, but my bigger wish (as it is for us all) is that UM somehow wins their last two and we get the final assist from hated Ohio.  Even if the Bucks win tonight and then get a share of the title themselves on the weekend, I've just been waiting too long for UM to win the conference in basketball to not root for them, assuming the maize and blue take care of their own business.  Still a huge long shot, but as long as it's a possibility, I won't give up hope.

Stellar Goal

It was a perfect way to clinch the game, pending Howie's final save.  I have to think Z has been waiting for a long time to break out that move...worked to perfection.

Signed (#2615)

I was shocked to hear about this terrible situation.  Amir and his family are good people (his parents live a street over from my father) and I can't imagine the kind of harrowing experience this must be for them all.  My prayers are that they can find some moments of peace and calm during this ordeal and of course that Amir is released as soon as possible. 

What a Perfect Ending

I could not under any circumstance cheer for MSU, especially not when they go to the Rose Bowl with a win.  I refuse to cheer for MSU just because they are MSU, but even if I took the rivalry emotion out of it, and just looked at the coaches/players regardless of the colors they wear, these guys are impossible to cheer for.  They think way too highly of themselves, as evidenced by their over-celebrating and immature gesturing after a catch or big tackle.  They learn this attitude from their coaches, who are the most smug and arrogant bunch you could ask for.  I'm glad their careless and undisciplined play finally caught up with them at the very end...and regardless of the effect it has on UM's BCS chances, I thank God above that I don't have to listen to my in-laws, who are all Sparties, talk about how excited they are for MSU to go to Pasadena.  That would have been a long month-plus, even if they did end up getting housed by Oregon.

Other Teams

I won't claim to be a true fan of any of these other teams, but here they are:

EMU--Wife is a graduate, and also recently I wish the best for Coach English, whatever the odds he faces

New Mexico--Have a family connection there, spent some time in Albuquerque, like the town and campus.  I've been given some Lobos gear, which I wear occasionally, mostly b/c I think the logo is cool.

BONUS:  2nd favorite Big Ten team is Northwestern; probably the team I've found the most likeable anyway over the years, but especially now because a current member of their team just married my wife's cousin this summer.  Really nice guy, and he thinks the world of coach Fitzgerald and all his coaches there.

Very Well Said

You just put in your post exactly how I feel about the current versions of the listed NHL teams, except I had never bothered organize it and put it in "writing."  That sums it up beautifully; part if me is very sad that it's not as easy to hate the Avs as it used to be, because it was and is so much fun to hate them.  What a great rivalry that was.  As for the Ducks, they are easily the most dispicable team currently, and Corey Perry (whom I assume you meant by "Ryan" Perry) is by far the player I hate the most in the league right now.  The Sharks, as a team, aren't quite as easy to hate outside of matching up with them in the playoffs, but they are basically a very skilled team whose players have Anaheim-like tendencies, i.e. cheap shots after the whistle and diving, especially from guys like Clowe and Thornton.  "Jumbo" especially proved himself to be impossible to respect with his conduct in this series; he is like the Anti-Yzerman, wearing #19 and a "C" on his jersey, but with absolutely zero ability to be a classy, lead by example all-world person and hockey player.  It's a travesty he wears The Captain's number.  The thing that chaps me the most about losing to San Jose is that their so-called leader is such a whining, cheap-shotting a-hole that happens to be a skilled hockey player but has no idea what class or sportmanship are all about.  They should name a new captain if they want to have any kind of sustained success in that organization.

As for the Wings, it was an incredible run just to get back from 0-3 and as disappointing as last night was, they really showed me something that they didn't in the 2nd round last year.  I feel much more encouraged going forward this time around, but time will tell.

Well Done

I remember doing something very similar with a letter from OSU about 12 years ago, only I think I ripped it into tiny pieces before using it for kindling in the fireplace.  Still, it was just as enjoyable as it looks like it was for you.  I did end up at Michigan, thankfully, (LSA '04) but just purely for shits and giggles I did MSU's online application and recieved an acceptance letter and scholarship offer a week later.  I didn't go all pyro on that offer, but it def. made me laugh that I spent 10 minuets on an online application and it was enough to get such an offer from E. Lansing.

Brady AND Henne in Fantasy

I actually drafted Brady and I picked up Henne on waivers (which was really dumb b/c they both have byes next week, but oh well) and I had the choice tonight, so I went with Brady.  Right now, it looks like the wrong call, but a lot could still happen.  I also have Gostkowski, the Pats kicker, and he currently has earned me more points than Brady, and is only .96 behind Henne.  C'mon  New England, get that pass game going!  I am pulling for Henne to do well also, of course.  Not exaclty the offensive shootout that most of us hoped for on here...

Well....can I take it back?

I guess all I had to do was say a few good things about Threet to get him to totally implode in this game.  All in a nights work.  But seriously, at the very least he's not as bad as he used to be.  Oregon is a pretty good team, without much of a defense, typical PAC-10 contender.  Oh, and even if the game was a slop-fest, it was worth it to stay up to see those Oregon cheerleaders.  ASU's aren't bad either.

O'Brien

Good looking player.  He plays for Powers Catholic High School in Flint, MI and I saw him pick up a fumble and run it in for a TD in a loss to my alma mater Carman-Ainsworth last week.  He is by far the best player on a bad team, and would probably be a nice pick up for UM if he commits.

Good Point

He is still WAY too prone to throwing picks....and there's another one as I type this.  Well, he's making me look like a moron for praising him, but I will still contend that he does seem to have developed at least a little more leadership and ability to run an offense.  His night against the Ducks is quickly deteriorating due to all the INTs.

Thanks to All

I knew I could count on all you MGoBoard regulars!  Seriously, thanks a ton for the suggestions, they were all very helpful.  I have used espn3.com on my laptop, but alas, I do not have a fancy phone, otherwise I would go that route.  Some of the places sound perfect, I just have to see how nearby they are to where the wedding is at and how receptive my wife will be to hanging out in a sportsbar/restaurant prior to the wedding.  The boat and the ex-girlfriend's place sound tempting, but somehow I think those options would be vetoed.  =-)

287

Maybe a little low, but I hope it's an efficient 287 and he gets some rest.

Indiana

I agree that Indiana will pose more of a challenge than most will anticipate.  While I'm not scared at all by playing at Memorial Stadium or the Bill Lynch version of the "Pistol" or anything having to do with getting outcoached, I think the number of experienced players IU returns coupled with the obvious motivating factor of not having beaten Michigan in 23 years is cause for some concern.  That doesn't mean that game "scares" me; I think Michigan should definitely win, but given the fight that the game in AA was last year, it might be another close one.  My hope is that our defense will gain enough confidence in the non-conference slate that they will be less likely to get gouged like they did last year by big plays and tons of rushing yards by Indiana.  If they limit the big plays, that should be a major key to winning that road game.  It doesn't seem right to be even mildly concerned about Indiana in football, but those are the times we live in.  Also, if they have any hope of a decent bowl, they simply must win this game.

Pringles

It looks like the little oval shaped face w/mustache guy on pringles cans, only a darker, scarier version with his eyebrows and mustache on steroids and blacked out eyes.

MSU is the Key

I agree that it's tough to choose whether the first two games are more key than these three, but ultimately I agree with Rittenberg mainly because of the MSU game. I've had my eye on that game more than any other since last season ended. I think it's critical because it's smack in the middle of the season, we've lost to them twice in a row, and since it's at home that is the one game we just can't afford to lose this season; I feel the season, not to mention Coach Rod's job, could very likely hinge on it. When we win that game, winning against either Iowa or Penn State will be icing. Keep in mind that I believe we will go no worse than 4-1 in our first five, and I also believe we will find a way to beat either Iowa or PSU. Losing to both shouldn't kill the season, but don't think this will happen. Even though I feel Iowa will be a better team (best of these three in the stretch), and I admit I have no idea which of the two UM will beat, if either, I think I'm leaning Iowa. It's at home, we owe them from the close call last year, the crowd and the team will be up for it. Penn State will be fun, and with their QB situation we should have a chance, but even some very good teams (read OSU) have had trouble playing at night in Happy Valley. It will be fun to see how it all plays out.

It wasn't Sage...

I don't know the actual woman's name, but I remember seeing that as well, and I know it wasn't Sage.  Whoever that person was, my guess is she is either not working for ESPN anymore, or else she's been permanently re-assigned to a dark corner surrounded by filing cabinets.  That kind of idiocy is rare, even for ESPN "talent"

ESPN Favs

I like Van Pelt and Tirico as well, and I suppose my other favorite would be John Buccigross.  He is one of two anchors (with Steve Levy) whose sport of choice is hockey (which I love) and I enjoy his NHL column (or "blogumn") and mailbag on espn.com during hockey season. 

I also can't stand Rome and Cowherd, and if I had to throw another in the mix of "least favorite" it would be Skip Bayless.  Is Bayless even still on that First Take show?  Is the show still running??  I wouldn't know, I couldn't stand watching it with him on there.

EDIT:  I kept thinking, and somehow I FORGOT about Rece Davis when I first posted...he is my favorite guy covering college football, and Desmond is a close 2nd.  I have to give props to Rece not only b/c I think he does a great job, but he used to cover sports for ABC 12 out of Flint, where I hail from.

Just Watched

Just watched that two-part episode the other night ("Chain of Command").  That was probably one of Stewart's more powerful performances in the series, especially part two when he was tortured and manipulated by the sadistic Cardassian.

I will be there early

I have to be at work before 10, so I will be part of the somewhat early crowd.  I'm thinking of grabbing some breakfast at Angelo's and then heading over for a quick look, then off to work.  I'll probably try to get to the stadium around 8 or 8:30.

Thanks

Thanks for remembering one of his most distinguishing accolades; he didn't get knighted and all that to be called only "Mister" Patrick Stewart.  Duly edited in my post title.

Ahh, the countdown to kickoff

Ahh, the countdown to kickoff clock.  There used to use one on the football page at mgoblue.com...I think they quit it awhile ago for some reason.  Anyway, its return could only mean one thing...my wife will be exponentially more irritated as I constantly remind her how close we are getting to UConn.

Your scenario created a

Your scenario created a hillarious mental sequence that played out in my mind...it could only end with applesauce all over everyone and one or both of them fallen out of their wheelchairs calling to Dr. Crusher for help...well played, sir.

Thems fightin' words amongst

Thems fightin' words amongst us Trekkies (or Trekkers, if you prefer)  Truth be told, I grew up on Star Trek and I shunned Star Wars for many years because it always had the more mainstream following, but I eventually relented and watched and enjoyed Star Wars as well.  I still certainly favor Star Trek though...agree to disagree.

All Nike

All my jerseys are Nike ones, but mostly because I don't have a lot of money to buy a new Adidas one these days.  I do have a few UM Adidas shirts though, mostly gifts...anyway, I do always wear one of the jerseys to every game I make it to.  I try to always wear home blue for home games usually my "lucky" #32 A-Train jersey (My first ever jersey, oldest most well-worn by far) or my #10 Tom Brady.  I also have a #1 away jersey that I keep in good condition and try to only wear for road games (wore it to MSU last year, so maybe not so lucky), although I have occasionally worn it only to very important home games, i.e. OSU, maybe MSU or Penn State.  In short, I don't really have a set ritual for which one I'll pick, it's more just wake up on game day and see which one the Maize and Blue Spirit moves me to wear.  Also, I will still wear one even if I'm just at home watching it on TV.  I guess my superstition is more just to wear any jersey every game day more than a certain one.

Hail to Dads

I am very fortunate that my dad graduated from UM and brought me up to love UM sports.  I followed his footsteps to Ann Arbor and love going to football games with him when we can (at least once a season) and we also go to several Tigers games together each season.  Its great to share a love of sports with him, and I plan on passing that on (especially UM) to my own little one, who's due to arrive any day now (July 1st officially).  We don't know if it's a boy or a girl, but either way the kid will be taught the wonders of all things Michigan.  Just have to keep the in-laws and their Spartan tendencies at bay. (Thankfully, my wife went to EMU and is a UM fan via conversion).  To all the dads out there, Happy Father's Day!

Good Game

It was a pretty good game, just another bucket at some point by the Celtics, and we might have seen a buzzer beater situation at the end.  Great series.  Hopefully the Pistons will find a way to pull themselves out of the mire and get back to this stage sooner rather than later.

Wow...

I was about to agree with you but wow...I've never seen this many guys on both teams step up from three point range this late in a game this big.  Crazy.

 

EDIT:  And ANOTHER one, by Rondo...after those free throws though, it might actually be over now.  Maybe not, if we see another three...

Nicely Done

Kudos on a great looking and I'm sure great tasting creation!  A good friend of mine who is also a home brewer makes some great stuff that I enjoy sampling whenever I'm at his place.  He's also a UM fan and football season ticket holder, so you have at least one (I'm sure others, too) kindred spirit out there.  Would love to sample Ale to the Victors, but I will at least pay homage to it next time I'm over at my friend's house.  Cheers, and Go Blue!

Let's Go....Lakers...?

I am not a Lakers fan, nor am I a Celtics fan.  But on a very primal level, I see a team wearing mostly yellow (and a purple that almost looks dark blue) and a team wearing green and white, and I just have the instinctual reaction to root for the home team.  Just can't cheer for any team wearing green.

Nice

Ha!  I read that quote on espn.com earlier, and I did a double take.  Maturi does not seem to have a way with words...however, credit where credit's due:  The guy did land Tubby Smith.  Just sayin'

Izzo to Cavs=Pipe Dream

I have to agree with those that say Izzo was never going to leave.  I'm sure he's had his fun holding the collective "Sparty Nation" hostage for more than a week, but in the end it's just a meaningless flirtation most likely geared toward generating publicity, both for MSU and Izzo himself, and in a twisted way endearing him further (if that is possible) to that school and its fans.  I say that knowing full well that some fans have been very critical of his "wavering" and that maybe Izzo did have some small amount of actual interest in the job, but I'm sure everyone will be so relieved when he announces he'll be back that they'll want to throw a parade for him.  I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't think Izzo to Cleveland ever made sense for a plethora of reasons. 

Sorry, man, I just

Sorry, man, I just thought

Big Red--Big Blue, sounded good

Meant no disrespect

Nebrask

Big Red must beware

Big Blue will avenge at last

Alamo Bowl loss

Flyers Presser on SportsCenter

I just saw the presser on SportsCenter where some poor schmuck tried to ask Pronger about this Tribune Insert.  He asked if he had seen it, to which Pronger said "I don't read any of the stuff you guys write."  So then the reporter proceeded to describe the skirt picture, and then was trying to ask a question about if this provides any motivation for Pronger, but Pronger talked over him saying "Next question" over and over again while the guy insistantly kept attempting to finish his question.  Might be just a "tough guy" act by Pronger, but he definitely had no interest in addressing it or hearing about it.  Couldn't tell if the skirt thing got to him or just the annoying reporter.  Guess we'll see if it motivates him at all tonight.