An upset brewing? National writers think D.J. Cooper could help Ohio stun Michigan basketball team
The Michigan basketball team may be the higher seed Friday in Nashville, Tenn., but the 13th-seeded Ohio Bobcats certainly aren't being ignored.
Ohio has already been picked as an upset to watch by several national outlets, including ESPN.com and Yahoo.com, thanks in large part to the ability of point guard D.J. Cooper.
Some national sports writers believe Ohio guard D.J. Cooper, shown in a MAC Tournament game against Buffalo, could lead the Bobcats to an upset of Michigan in the NCAA Tournament.
AP Photo
ESPN.com college basketball writer Myron Medcalf listed Cooper as one of his 10 mid-major stars with the ability to ruin a bracket, and possibly Michigan's season.
"An efficient distributor (5.7 apg). He’s a game-changing defender (2.4 spg). And he’s experienced," Medcalf wrote. "Two years ago, the Bobcats played in the NCAA tournament. Cooper was only a freshman then, but those early experiences helped him and the other youngsters on that team prepare for tough matchups away from home."
Medcalf went on to note that he doesn't believe the Wolverines will fall to the Bobcats on Friday, but several other scribes do.
The ESPN "Giant Killers Blog" listed Ohio beating Michigan as its fifth-most likely upset early on, giving the Bobcats a 22.4 percent chance. Long Beach State knocking off New Mexico State was No. 1 at 41 percent.
On "The Dagger," a Yahoo! Sports blog, writer Graham Watson lists Ohio as one of her "Four Cinderellas to consider" this March.
Watson writes: "Earlier this year, Ohio nearly upset No. 7 Louisville, but fell 59-54. Of all the Cinderella teams, Ohio might have the easiest shot to the Sweet 16. And wouldn't it be great for Ohio to get a measure of revenge against Michigan, which uses the Bobcats' name (in a demeaning way) to refer to Ohio State?"
Michigan is currently listed as a six-point favorite in the game, and during his weekly radio show Monday, Michigan coach John Beilein said his team will be fully aware of all the upset predictions.
Will it fuel them? He's not sure. But he knows they'll hear plenty about it.
"Our kids will find out what the pundits say," Beilein said. "There's no question about that. But it's all part of it. We have to understand that when we go into this thing, there's going to be doubters.
"I just like our attitude going into this, we've got a very good approach to what it takes to advance in this tournament."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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Comments
The1Cool
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 4:45 a.m.
The Tournament Committee knew what they were doing when they set this match up. I'm tired of these stories all ready.
UofMbeBetter
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 12:44 a.m.
This michigan team lost by 22 points to TUofOSBuckeyes. So even though we tied for the crown, that loss at the end of the season makes us a middle pack team. so Michigan is an average B1g team, and the real OHIO is the best team in the mac. Id say that makes things close...........
UofMbeBetter
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.
At this time of year? we get beat by 22 points in the mini tourney by the team were supposed to be as good as? it doesnt take away the banner, but we need to be up to speed RIGHT NOW, and we're not.
The1Cool
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 4:44 a.m.
Wow... one loss takes away the B1G Championship? Sheesh.
RobertJ
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 12:35 a.m.
Why would you even write this article? Talk about a waste of 2 minutes of reading. Just aweful
catfishrisin
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 12:05 a.m.
An upset would be awesome......making it the second Ohio team that UM can't beat
Terry Star21
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 12:28 a.m.
All you're top players abandoning two-and-done meyer (0-3 vs UM) for a winning Michigan team sure leaves a sour taste, yes ?
rightmind250
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
Of all the Cinderella teams, Ohio might have the easiest shot to the Sweet 16. And wouldn't it be great for Ohio to get a measure of revenge against Michigan, which uses the Bobcats' name (in a demeaning way) to refer to Ohio State?" Pretty much says it all. I guess they don't think to highly of you either.
Terry Star21
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.
Every wonder why most Wolverines hate ohio ? Because 100% of their fans on our site make up stuff, attempt to berate or just need to show their intelligence......very sad.
Terry Star21
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
This is the ohio team that lost by 13 points to 11-15 Eastern Michigan......so if the yahoos from yahoo.com say upset, let's bet the bank on this recent pick.
RobertJ
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
DB Cooper was more successful
mun
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
That's D.B. Cooper. I thought the same thing when I saw D. J. Cooper.
Terry Star21
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 8:46 p.m.
Was that guy D.J. Cooper, the one who's dad parachuted out of the airplane over ohio in the 70's....
mookienation
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
Please don't lose to Ohio. Please don't lose to Ohio.
craigjjs
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
Good. It will help the team keep from looking past Ohio.
Ross
Tue, Mar 13, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.
Arg. I have a feeling Friday is going to be stressful.