Third loss to Ohio State shouldn't diminish the accomplishments of this year's Michigan basketball team
INDIANAPOLIS - There were no last-second theatrics this time, no buzzer-defying shots to fall or defenses to question.
For the third time this season, Ohio State was just a little better, a little tougher and definitely sturdier down the stretch.
There was no shame in the way the Michigan basketball team played for most of Saturday in their Big Ten tournament semifinal. The Wolverines played far better than they did one day earlier against Illinois.
But much like the previous two meetings this year against the Buckeyes, the Wolverines couldn’t quite put it all together against the country’s top-ranked team.
OHIO STATE 68, MICHIGAN 61
Despite a frantic comeback at the end, Michigan fell 68-61.
It pained the young Michigan players. Ohio State eliminated them last year on the same floor at Conseco Fieldhouse, on a buzzer-beating prayer from Evan Turner.
They’ve lost five straight to Ohio State.
But that dubious distinction distorts the greater picture. Unlike Michigan football, their season is about more than beating Ohio State.
The Wolverines played on Saturday for the first time in seven years in the Big Ten tournament. They head into Selection Sunday with 20 wins in a season in which everyone assumed they’d be rebuilding.
One year after underachieving with a veteran team, the young Wolverines should be headed to the NCAA tournament. They’ve earned it. Despite Saturday’s loss, don’t lose sight of that.
This year, the Wolverines have twice beaten Michigan State, overcame a 1-6 start in the Big Ten, won Friday in a game in which they sleep-walked through the first half.
Sure, the highlights didn’t come Saturday, when the Buckeyes accentuated the differences between the two teams’ experience and stature.
Michigan’s chances ended right about the time Jon Diebler knocked down a 3-point bucket with 12:50 remaining that gave Ohio State a 45-37 advantage. On the ensuing possession, Darius Morris was called for a charge. He laid on the ground for an extra second, arms outstretched, as if exasperated.
The Wolverines battled back to within two before Ohio State went on a 16-0 run that ended Michigan’s hopes. Michigan never gave up, racing back from a 14-point deficit to make it interesting in the final seconds.
But the bitter experience should help them in the NCAA tournament, should make them even hungrier. They’ve endured the hard parts. They have a team that’s difficult to plan for, in that the best thing about these Wolverines is that any player can develop the hot hand on a given night.
They have a team that returns every player on the roster. There are plenty of good things ahead for this group.
A win would have been nice Saturday, but the Wolverines still have earned an improbable spot in the NCAA tournament.
They can worry about Ohio State next year.
Pete Bigelow covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2551, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
tater
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 9:27 p.m.
Great perspective in this article. There is no shame in losing to TSIO's expensive collection of role players and rent-a-players on the way to the NBA. As for so-called "fans" who are trying to use the same argument to belittle Beilein that they ran into the ground about RR: give it a rest. AFAIC, John Beilen is a lock for Big Ten Coach of the Year. Nobody else is even close. When MIchigan has the horses to beat the second-best team money can buy, they will beat them. Michigan's losses to TSIO have nothing to do with motivation, nor is there any reasonable argument that the team isn't aware of the rivalry. Michigan simply doesn't have the personnel to beat the second-best team money can buy. Anyone who ruins their enjoyment of an overachieving season such as this one to whine about losses to a de facto professional team should probably take a long look in the mirror to find the source of all the negativity.
rensational
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
Okay, yes, Michigan is more competitive with OSU in basketball than football. Yep, we got MSU twice for the first time in 14 years. I understand that OSU is probably going to win the NCAA title this season. Ugh, but THREE losses to them in one season? This after seeing Michigan get blown out 37-7 in football and have a big basketball game all but locked up for Douglass to let Evan Turner sink some crazy three? Hurt me. I'm tired of Michigan losing to OSU in the major sports (i.e. stuff that you can actually see on channels like ESPN and CBS). We beat OSU in hockey--woop-de-doo. I will say, though, that I'd rather Michigan lose the way they did this last time than how they did in last year's Big Ten Tournament. I still have to cover my eyes when they show clips of that Turner shot.
GoBlue2009
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.
@rensational: College hockey's on cable a lot more now, especially Michigan. Before labeling it as a second-tier sport, remember that it, too, is a revenue-generating sport, and we've been the class of college hockey for the last two decades under Red Berenson. Watch the team in the CCHA Tournament this Friday and Saturday on FSD, and you'll see what I mean.
Engineer
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 5:34 a.m.
Mr Brandon needs to explain to Beilien that 5 stright to the school down south is NOT acceptable. We need a couple of dominate one or two year players toadd to this group of middle of the pack players. Without so serious upgrade we may well be lucky to get another 4 seed next year. Upgrade or fall behind is reality. Look at the classes coming in around the league. Michigan is adding a couple of nice players but not exactly a dominating class of best in the country players. A couple of bigs that are not projects would be helpful. If this team is going to rise they need help now not in 2 years with a cuople of project players that won't be ready till this team is mostly graduated.
81wolverine
Sun, Mar 13, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.
This team is a champion in my book. They played as a team and achieved much more than their abilities. I'm tremendously proud of them and I think all Michigan graduates, students, and fans should be also. I'm excited to see what will happen in the Tournament. Go Blue!
SonofScoot
Sat, Mar 12, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
Nine and nine?? Let's celebrate and give out the drinks and snacks just like in the youth soccer league!!