Michigan Beats Ohio State in Overtime Thriller

Michigan prevailed over bitter-rival Ohio State 76-74 in overtime Tuesday night in a must-win game for the Wolverines.

This game was all that was advertised and then some.  Both teams came ready to play and came out hard.  Michigan was fueled in the first half by the play of freshman center Mitch McGary, who scored 10 points in the first half and grabbed 6 boards.  But Ohio State led 31-30 at the half.

The Buckeyes started out strong in the second half, building their lead to as much as eight at 48-40.  That's when Tim Hardaway Jr. took over, making four straight three's on four straight Michigan possessions.

Then it was back and forth back and forth and we found ourselves with a chance to win it but Trey Burke took another step-back contested three at te buzzer and he missed it.  OVERTIME!!!!!!! 72-72.

Overtime comes and Burke hits this kind of disgusting three.  And then no one wants to score until Craft hits a layup with with 57 seconds left making it 75-74.  Then one of the most interesting, exciting plays of the game happened.  Burke tries to take Craft one-on-one again, gets stripped.  Hustles back and strips craft before he can complete the fast break layup.

Then, during OSU's ensuing possession, Craft gets a screen and separation and pulls up for a jumper in the lane that Burke blocks from behind.  Glen Robinson III gets the rebound and fouled.  Officials took a look at the play to see if it were a flagrant.  The play could have easily been called a flagrant one, but I agree 100% with the decision to not call it a flagrant.  GRIII makes only one of the free throws.  And here's where controversy sets in.

Craft has the ball and is guarded very tightly by Burke.  He goes to the hoops and THJ comes over and makes a block on the last shot attempt of the game.  Replay shows that it may have been cleaner than it looked live.

Here's my opinion on plays like these.  Let them play.  Swallow the whistle.  If it's not egregious, let it go.  This play was NOT blatant.  Let the players decide the outcome, not the zebras.  Or maybe I'm just speaking as a Michigan fan so that means I am not being unbiased.  But hey, OSU fans say foul, UM fans say no foul, refs say YOU TRY DOING THIS! (I have before, it's not easy)

This was a big win for the Wolverines in keeping their B1G title hopes alive.

It's 4:00 am guys, I'm going to bed.  Night y'all

Baby Buckets

Check this video out people.  I dare you to tell me this isn't the coolest/cutest sport related thing you have ever seen!

I mean come on!  First of all, he's wearing a Thomas the Tank Engine shirt, so props to the awesome parents on raising him right.

Secondly, Titus is already a better shooter than I ever was.  How young is too young to recruit?  I mean he's two or three and he's making shots on a 7ft rim!  That's impressive.  And the trick shots?  I am impressed.  I mean I'm sure there's a lot of off-camera coaching going on but come on, even then it's still impressive!

And the Chuck E Cheese ticket stack.  Impressive.  I never had that many tickets.  Those skills are taking him places.

And there's just something about kids, and this kid too, that I find unbearably adorable.  I mean look at him when he's making shots?  That look of pure elation.  How can you not appreciate it?

Must Win Game for Wolverines

Photo Credit:USA Today

We're all used to Michigan and Ohio State games having major importance for both teams.  Not only the for the sake of the rivalry but usually in Big Ten play.  But normally, they're playing football.  Not basketball.

Tonight, the Wolverines and Buckeyes meet for the first time as AP top 10 basketball teams (Michigan 3, OSU 10) and the implications of this game couldn't be much higher.

This year's Big Ten conference is incredibly competitive.  The Wolverines were usurped from their #1 ranking by the current #1 team Indiana after the Hoosiers won on Saturday.  Every conference game is crucial, with each team being so strong and the top of the conference so close in talent and standings.

Tonight's game is no different, with both teams touting a 7-2 conference record.  If both teams want to win the Big Ten, this game is an important one to have, but even more so for the Wolverines.

Michigan's two conference losses (and two losses on the season) are to Indiana and Ohio State.  If Michigan were to lose tonight to Ohio State, they would then lose the tie-breaker to the Buckeyes, meaning they would have to rely on other teams to keep their B1G title chances alive.

Michigan is also coming off a tough road loss, coming home against their rival, and have two very tough conference road games following this game.  Michigan cannot afford to drop this game.

Which is exactly why I am picking Michigan to hold off the Buckeyes tonight 72-66.  I expect them to come out stronger than the first meeting with the Crisler crowd behind them.  Expect Trey Burke to have a better all-around game than he did against Indiana.  Michigan cannot afford 20+ shots from their point guard.

GoBlue BEATohio