Everything Is Fine

​Had a conversation with G-Daddy this afternoon...that's the Godfather to you at home. He told me he's actually hung a noose from the ceiling fan with all the depressing news about Michigan Basketball, Terelle Pryor, and RichRod lawsuits, and that he is prepared to use it if things don't start looking brighter on UMTailgate.com.

Fear not, Dennis. Here is your happy linkfest...

You are probably environmentally conscious. Most likely you are concerned about global warming. Well, guess what kids...that shit is OVER!!! Get out your aerosol cans and run those SUVs, because the Earth is getting colder. I'm talking to you, you hippy bitches! COLDER!

...all four major global temperature tracking outlets have released data showing that temperatures have dropped significantly over the last year. California meteorologist Anthony Watts says the amount of cooling ranges from 65-hundredths of a degree Centigrade to 75-hundreds of a degree.

That is said to be a value large enough to erase nearly all the global warming recorded over the past 100 years. It is reportedly the single fastest temperature change ever recorded...up or down.

So kiss my Bush-loving ass.

We are a mere 6-months away from Michigan vs. Utah, and themes aside, you will at some point this season see this at a tailgate. Call your cardiologist. What? You don't have a cardiologist? Well you will after this season, tubby.

Despite perceived problems with RichRod, you should be very thankful. Why? Because we didn't hire Kirk Ferentz who has had...

14 arrests involving 13 players in the past 10 months.

Dodged that bullet, didn't we Lloyd? Could've be worse, could've hired Willingham.

How about some prep action that isn't depressing? This dunk is one of the sweetest plays I have ever seen, and it basically involves children.

Hockey. Hockey. Hockey. Hockey team = good. We're looking to lock up the CCHA this weekend, and get that #1 seed heading into the tourney. Frozen Four has always been cooler than the Final Four.

The Tigers haven't lost a game yet this Spring.

Just in case you were thinking about sticking with Clark Kellogg for the postgame reports during the NCAA tournament, let me bend your ear. Bob Knight is doing NCAA hoops coverage for ESPN. This is going to be the best tv on tv.

It's a celebration! The Florida Gators are no longer a contender in the SEC. They have hired former Michigan secondary coach Vance Bedford, whose entire career is based on the talent of Charles Woodson.

So, ya, Terelle Pryor is the shit...

Pryor put up a triple-double..... 39 points...24 rebounds...10 blocked shots..... and just for fun he picked up 6 assists (leading his team to a state championship in basketball).

...but he also is wearing a year's tuition on his wrist. He is rapidly becoming a sanction liability.

Happy now Godfather? If not, see if one of these puts a smile on your face.

Winner Winner

Fifteen minutes until tipoff. No tickets. Ahhhh, but this is Michigan Basketball. Tickets can be had at the box office my friends. Even on Jalen Rose Day, you too can garner blue level seats.

It was an odd celebration. It was more about Jalen's charity, the Jalen Rose foundation, than it was about the man himself. But when halftime hit, the PA announcer rattled through Jalen's resume, full of statistical top 10's in nearly every basketball category. Then Jalen spoke. He took the crowd back to a time when things were good in Crisler arena. He gave thanks to the coaches that had a profound effect on his career: Perry Watson, Steve Fisher, Bo Schembechler. Watson and Fisher evoke mixed feelings for most Michigan fans. Perry Watson, whose involvement in the recruiting of the Fab 5 is well documented, also had links to  Ed Martin. Steve Fisher, the lovable old man, the Barney Fife that took us on the magical run in 1989, and had an even more magical run of recruits through the early 90's. It's unfortunate  it was all tarnished by money.

Jalen then individually called out the names of the other members of the Fab 5. Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King (who was in attendance), Ray Jackson. It's been a long time since those names have been uttered in public. Chris Webber is not allowed to be associated with the University in any way until 2013. Even more amazing, Jalen revealed that he had not been inside Crisler since he last donned the jersey. Now, with his NBA career coming to a close, Jalen promised to be back often. Roars of applause followed Jalen's final statement, which was that he would be back to see "those banners" go back up, referring to the missing final four banners from 1991 and 1992.

Maybe this is the beginning of the rebuilding of the past in Michigan Basketball. It was certainly an emotional time for those in attendance that had memories of the way Michigan Basketball used to be. Whether that will be enough to have us look past the black mark that accompanied the black socks remains to be seen.

As for the game...pretty much the worst shooting I have ever seen. The final was 49-43, and the score wasn't even indicative of how poor the execution was on the floor. But winning is what it's all about, right? OK, game over...on to the Joe.

With no respect for the law, or for human life, we made our way to the home of the Red Wings to exact revenge on Sparty for the ass-handing they gave us the night before. The goal was to see the end of the basketball game, and the drop of the puck at the hockey game. We came very close. Missed the drop by 30 seconds. But we arrived in time to see the #1 Wolverines take an early 2-0 lead on their way to reversing the previous evening's score. Michigan wins 5-2.

2 for 2 on the day, not bad. Here's the pics.

If You Want Something Done Right...

​...you do it yourself.  So for today's two-sport double header action, instead of watching from the couch, a limited crew from UMTailgate.com will be in the stands.  Both Michigan Hockey and Michigan Basketball are coming off of disappointing losses, and play back to back today/tonight just 40 miles apart.   Tip off for the Jalen Rose festival is at 4pm, Michigan-Michigan State is scheduled to start at 7.  With pregame pageantry, the games should be separated by about 45 minutes.  So with some speedy driving, the A2 to Detroit trek should fall nicely between the Crisler buzzer and the drop at The Joe.

Full coverage tomorrow.

For now, watch Bo give a tour of the Big House courtesy of The Wizard of Odds, and try to hold back the tears (Dennis).

Weekend Roundup: Knight Rider Edition: February 18, 2008

​I'm sure there will be a YouTube or BTN video clip of it soon enough, but head coach Rich Rodriguez addressed the crowd at halftime of the Michigan-OSU basketball game. It came off of an alumni weekend and a Friday event that had 300 plus in attendance. From the Sporting News:

During his remarks, several hundred Ohio State fans seated in the upper bowl of the arena began chanting "Tressel," referring to Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel, and held up a sign that said "1,548 days," which referred to the number of days since Michigan had defeated Ohio State in football.

Rodriguez turned to the Ohio State fans and told them, "I hope you guys up there enjoy your seats." Wolverine fans than began counter chanting, "Beat the Buckeyes." To that, Rodriguez said, "Amen. I hear ya!"

1548 days? Just threw up a bit in my mouth. Further quoting fun from the Detroit News...

"When you come in the Big House, when the maize and blue come out of that tunnel, I guarantee you they will play hard and they will play physical," said Rodriguez amidst cheers.

What if I just want them to be really really fast?

Michigan Hockey is on a serious roll. They swept Lake State over the weekend, solidifying 1st place in the CCHA and their #1 National Ranking. To summarize, I give you The Blog That Yost Built, which covers hockey like I cover Southern Omlettes in sausage gravy:

Michigan is now 5 points ahead of both Miami and Michigan State with all schools having 4 games left to play. Notre Dame is nine points back and has been officially eliminated from contention. That means that Michigan needs only split their last four to win the CCHA title outright, and can finish no worse than 3rd in the conference.

According to a Freep article, Amani Toomer isn't very friendly with Lloyd Carr:

The last time I heard a word from Lloyd was when I was playing in a (Michigan) game; it was my last play of my senior year. I caught a touchdown from Brian Griese, and I was walking off the field and Lloyd looks at me, looks at Griese, looks at me again, and goes, "Good throw, Brian." And that's the last thing he ever said in my direction.

Uhhhhhh. OK. Of note...is that a painting of Amani Toomer attached to this article?

Bullet points, baby, bullet points...

• Michigan's first recruiting class under Rodriguez gets an 'A'. Unfortunately, it's from a magazine/website that uses the team nickname for the title of its periodical. (Ask the Expert - Freep.com)


• You know what you can do with your stupid gold pants? Wear them to the NIT, bitch. (OSU Goes For Four Year Sweep... - The Plain Dealer)


• Good content with a condescending title. (Michigan, finally, Beats Buckeyes - Freep.com)


• Reason #1 why chicks and sports don't mix. (...Maryland Coach Gives Birth - ESPN.com)

Quick Hits...

​Yes, I am doing this post just to keep up my streak for lent.

Congrats to Marty Turco, who just logged his 200th career victory.  Marty was in the nets for two Michigan Hockey National Championships.  More importantly, I used to don a full bright yellow Turco Michigan jersey during my time at the U.  It fit poorly, but was really comfy.  If you were paying attention back in October, you could've got this signed away jersey through the charity sponsored by The Hammer.

Meanwhile, in a square off of the Alabama blogging community (yes, apparently they have computers there) vs. MGoBlog, MGoblog wins the battle.  But in the end, Alabama wins the war because they've never had this many people look at their backwoods illiterate musings.

Tomorrow, 1PM, CBS...Buckeyes.