Michigan basketball team receives 2012 Big Ten championship rings
For the first time in 26 years, the Michigan basketball team had some important jewelry to show off.
Several members of the team took to Twitter on Friday to share photos of the newest addition to their wardrobes: Their 2012 Big Ten championship rings.
Zack Novak shows off his 2012 Big Ten championship ring Friday via Twitter.
The piece of jewelry features a diamond-encrusted block 'M' in the center of a blue gem with the phrase "2012 Big Ten Champions" surrounding the frame.
The Wolverines won a share of their first Big Ten basketball title since 1986 last season, sharing the crown with rivals Michigan State and Ohio State.
Michigan will have to replace Novak and Douglass, but the team does get the services of both Hardaway and Burke back. The Wolverines also add a top-rated freshman class, including Glenn Robinson III, Mitch McGary, Nik Stauskas, Spike Albrecht and Caris LeVert.
The Wolverines have been given a preseason ranking of No. 5 by both ESPN.com and CBSsports.com.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
genetracy
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 4:50 a.m.
Once the team members receive the rings, they should immediately turn them over to "The Ohio University". You remember, the team who humiliated them in the first round of the NCAA's.
GoBlue2009
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
Little Brother's jealous they had to share.
Daniel
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 2:31 a.m.
I'm guessing these are made of 10K and perhaps even real diamonds. With today's market value of precious metals, this has to be thousands of dollars. Have you seen what a simple gold band costs these days. So much for not receiving valuable gifts and being amateurs. College sports is very big business! Kinda interesting the NCAA doesn't have a problem with this. Let's just put all the students that otherwise would not qualify to enroll academically at U of M and just call them what they are - semi pro's.
vi4mi4
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
Those That Stay Will Be Champions.. Go Blue! v
SEC Fan
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.
hmmm...get stomped in the semis of the Big 10 Championship tourney...and still claim to be Champs.
GoBlue2009
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.
They kind of consider you conference champions when you have the best regular-season record in your conference, bro. You know, like what Kentucky wins every year in basketball? Oh, you don't know what basketball is? My bad.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.
i agree. At best they should say "tied for best record in regular season" but that's a lot to jam on a ring. The winner of the tourney should sport a ring and that is all. Either that or do away with the money grab....errrr.....tournament.
SEC Fan
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
hey...i know it's allowed, but really, what's the point of the tourney if everyone and their grandmother can claim the championship?
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
and here is your Gold medal for best post by an SEC fan.....;)