Time heals….I guess
OK, I have gotten thru the 3-day “healing period” (yes, time indeed does “heal”) following Tuesday night’s 80-67 MSU domination of Michigan on the hardwood at the Crisler Center. But it depends how you define “gotten thru.”
Yes, I understand Sparty is hitting their stride now (as they typically do under Tom Izzo every back third of the regular season) and I know Michigan was clearly undermanned – the Branden Dawson nightmare match-up with his 23 points and 13 boards was delivered as “feared.” The Caris LaVert/Derrick Walton absence, the Kam Chatman/Ricky Doyle hitting the freshmen wall, and the way too many “walk-on” minutes being tabulated from the bench – where do I stop, when breaking down the debacle? The 13-point difference between the two teams was misleading – this was a legitimate 20-point separation.
Michigan losing to Michigan State in any situation (football/basketball scenario, mind you) – it always HURTS…and I mean ALWAYS!! This might sound strange, but the Wolverines losing to the Spartans causes actually way more “aggravation” for me than a Michigan victory over State creates “elation.” – now figure that one out. But hey, I am a sick man, what can I say?
Bottom line – this 2014-15 athletic calendar for Michigan football/basketball can’t end fast enough. It has not been pretty. Yet I will declare this – plenty of light is appearing ahead when churning thru the tunnel toward 2015-16. The Jim Harbaugh-to-the rescue-led football program has us all excited combined with John Beilein’s continued development of his young “under-touted/overlooked” personnel returning which he routinely turns into stars. Whether LaVert opts for the NBA or not following his injury-saddled junior year – very confident the Wolverines return to being an NCAA tourney participant moving forward. It’s impossible not to believe in Beilein’s coaching prowess – whether you are a Michigan fan or not.
And let me throw out one final note – why to Hell are Michigan vs. Michigan State, as well as Indiana vs. Purdue only meeting once next year for the 2016 Big 10 basketball season? That totally mystifies me. What are these people (in charge) thinking? Instead Michigan plays Nebraska twice (home and away)? A total head-scratcher! Isn’t the almighty “cash cow” BTN pissed off about this, as much as we fans are? I thought “money” determined all decision making in college athletics?
(Follow Tom Crawford on Twitter @BlueBellyTom and come visit him during his Friday remote broadcasts with Jack Ebling at The Blue Gill Grill in Haslett, 3-6 p.m.)
