Posts by Ruth Lincoln
Former Duke point guard Greg Paulus could play for Michigan
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Apr. 15, 2009
Former Duke point guard Greg Paulus (2005-09) met with Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez on Tuesday concerning the possibility of playing football with the Wolverines, FoxSports.com is reporting.
According to scout.com, Paulus was a four-star recruit and the nation’s No. 9 quarterback in the class of 2005. Paulus has one remaining year of football eligibility and could mesh with Rodriguez’s spread offense. Early-enrolle quarterback Tate Forcier looks to be the main candidate for the fall’s starting job after a promising spring, but high school senior Denard Robinson and redshirt junior Nick Sheridan will provide competition during fall camp.
Either way, without an experienced front runner, Paulus could make the situation more interesting.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported Monday that Paulus worked out with the Green Bay Packers in Durham, N.C.
Asked in January whether he regretted passing up football to play basketball, Paulus said told USA Today he did not.
“I wanted to play point guard, and I got a chance to do that and to play for Duke and Coach K,” said Paulus, who is on track to graduate this spring with a degree in political science, “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Former Wolverine Chris Hunter signs with Knicks
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Apr. 14, 2009
Former Wolverine Chris Hunter (2002-06) signed with the New York Knicks today. The forward of the NBA D-League Fort Wayne Mad Ants averaged 19.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 32.8 minutes this season. He joins former Michigan teammate Courtney Sims (2003-07) who signed a 10-day contract with the Knicks in March. In the Knicks’s 113-86 loss to Detroit on April 8, Sims scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in 11 minutes.
Here’s the press release:
NEW YORK, April 14, 2009 – The New York Knicks today signed Chris Hunter of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants making him the 24th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2008-09 NBA Development League season. Hunter joins 78 other NBA players with NBA D-League experience.
A 2009 NBA D-League All-Star, Hunter, 6-11, appeared in 47 games, all starts, for the Mad Ants this season averaging 19.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 32.8 minutes. He scored in double figures on 44 occasions, including twice scoring a season-high 34 points (Feb. 19, in a 99-90 win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce and April 5, in a 105-86 win over the Tulsa 66ers). For his efforts during the season, Hunter was named to the All-NBA D-League Second Team.
A four-year contributor at Michigan, Hunter averaged 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 block in 30 games during his senior season.
Live Blog: Football spring game
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Apr. 11, 2009
It’s been a jam-packed morning. The day started at 8:00 a.m. with tours of the varsity locker room. Those who expected a decent turnout, would be surprised. There are a lot of people here. The line to enter started near the tunnel, wrapped around Crisler Arena, extended down Stadium Drive and ended halfway down Main Street.
Fans seemed to really enjoy the Alumni game. The flag football game was very lighthearted. The Blue team beat the maize team, 32-24. Alums like Rich Leach (QB, 1975-78) drew the most cheers from fans.
The biggest question for today’s game is the one at quarterback. Early enrolle Tate Forcier moved into the first-string position two weeks ago when redshirt junior quarterback Nick Sheridan went out with a lower leg fracture. Incoming freshman quarterback Dernard Robinson is here.
This is definitely the largest crowd for a spring game in recent memory. Probably around 35,000 seats are roped as a safety precaution due to the skybox construction. But there is probably close to 30,000 people here today.
Super Bowl Champion Larry Foote was honored before kickoff. Foote played in the alumni game and contributed an impressive interception.
At practice this week, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said star players like senior defensive end Brandon Graham and senior running back Brandon Minor would see limited action. Instead, expect to see any of the seven early enrollees like Forcier, defensive tackle William Campbell and running back Vincent Smith.
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Petway named NBA D-Leauge defensive player of the year
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Apr. 7, 2009
Former Wolverine Brent Petway (2002-03 to 2006-07) was named the NBA D-League defensive player of the year. For the last two seasons, Petway has played small forward for the Idaho Stampede. This season, he started in all 45 games and averaged 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 assists per game. Last February, Petway joined former Wolverines Courtney Sims and Chris Hunter as starters in the NBA D-League All-Star game.
Here’s the press release:
NEW YORK, April 7, 2009 – Idaho Stampede forward Brent Petway has been selected as the NBA Development League’s Defensive Player of the Year by a vote of the League’s 16 head coaches. NBA D-League President Dan Reed will present Petway with the award prior to the Stampede’s game on April 8 against the Bakersfield Jam at Qwest Arena in Boise.
Petway, the lone Stampede player to appear in all 45 games (all starts), ranks second in the league in blocks (2.1 bpg). Petway has tallied at least two blocks in 23 games and four or more blocks on eight occasions, including a season-high seven blocks on Dec. 27, 2008 vs Sioux Falls. The second-year player is averaging 10.1 points and 4.2 rebounds this season.
“I’m so proud of Brent and his season-long dedication to defense,” said Stampede head coach Bryan Gates. “He makes our opponents’ best scorers take tough shots - he’s a big reason why we’re as successful as we are this season.”
Petway anchors one of the best defenses in the NBA D-League. The Stampede holds opponents to a league-low .440 field goal percentage and ranks third in opponent scoring (99.1 ppg). Only Colorado (282) recorded more blocks than Idaho’s 257.
“It is nice to see the coaches recognize Brent for his hard work, determination, and energy on the defensive end of the floor,” said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. “His passion and dedication to guarding the opposing team’s top offensive player make him a valuable player for any team. Also, his terrific footwork, long arms, athleticism and anticipation make him a formidable defensive presence and a game-changer.”
Petway joins Stephane Lasme (Los Angeles Defenders, 2007-08) and Mouhamed Sene (Idaho Stampede 2007-08), Renaldo Major (Dakota, 2006-07), Derrick Zimmerman (Austin 2005-06, Columbus 2004-05), Karim Shabazz (Charleston 2003-04), Mikki Moore (Roanoke 2002-03) and Jeff Myers (Greenville 2001-02) as winners of the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
UPDATE: Fab Five reunion back on
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Mar. 31, 2009
The Fab Five reunion scheduled for Saturday at the South Board at the Motor City Casino has been rescheduled, the Detroit Free Press is reporting.
The reunion will be held this Saturday at Detroit’s Elysium Lounge. More details will become available in the coming days.
The event announced mid-February will join former Wolverines Chris Weber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson publicly for the first time since their playing days at Michigan during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons.
According to the Ann Arbor News, an email sent out to ticket holders last week gave no reason for the initial cancellation, but said refunds would be available.
“At this point it’s not solidified yet,” King, the event’s coordinator, said in phone interview Monday night. “Even now, there’s still some things.”
King said he could not comment further.
Beilein to provide in-studio analysis for CBS this weekend
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Mar. 26, 2009
His team might not have made the Sweet 16, but Michigan men’s basketball coach John Beilein isn’t finished. Beilein will provide in-depth in-studio analysis during this weekend’s NCAA regional action for CBS. He will join Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl, Seton Hall’s Bobby Gonzalez, Virginia Tech’s Seth Greenberg and Cleveland State’s Gary Waters.
Beilein will help break down the games Thursday and Friday, but other coaches will be on air the entire weekend.
Here is a programming schedule for Thursday and Friday:
Thursday, March 26
5:00 – 6:00 PM / 8:00 – 8:30 PM / 10:30 PM – 12:30 AM - NCAA March Madness Central Powered by Pontiac
12:30 – 1:30 AM - NCAA March Madness Highlights Powered by Pontiac
Friday, March 27
7:00 PM – 12:30 AM - NCAA March Madness Central Powered by Pontiac
12:30 – 1:30 AM - NCAA March Madness Highlights Powered by Pontiac
Vogrich named Illinois’s Gatorade player of the year
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Mar. 24, 2009
Michigan men’s basketball commit Matt Vogrich was named Illinois’s Gatorade player of the year, the Chicago Daily Herald reported.
The award recognizes athletic and academic achievement as well as good character. Past winners include Michael Dunigan (Oregon), Jon Scheyer (Duke) and Derek Rose (Chicago Bulls). Vogrich is now a finalist for the Gatorade national player of the year award. The 6-foot-4, 175 pound shooting guard averaged 21.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game and led Lake Forest high school team to a 27-3 record.
“The great thing about Matt Vogrich is that he’s an unbelievable teammate,” said Steve Pratt, co-founder of Full Package, Vogrich’s Amateur Athletic Union club team. “He gets it. He’s the kind of kid you want to play with. As a player, he’s a combo guard. He always steps to the challenge. The more he’s challenged, the better he plays. He can hit 10 3-pointers in a game, and he can take it right down the lane and dunk on your head.”
With the loss of fifth-year senior guards C.J. Lee and David Merritt to graduation, Vogrich should see playing time early next season.
Knicks sign former Michigan center Courtney Sims to 10-day contract
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Mar. 23, 2009
Today, the New York Knicks singed former Michigan center Courtney Sims to a 10-day contract. Sims, who played at Michigan under former coach Tommy Amaker from 2003 to 2007, was undrafted out of college, but has played the last two seasons with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.
In the last two seasons, the 6-foot-11, 230 pound center logged 13 minutes of NBA playing time in four games with Indiana and Phoenix.
At Michigan, he averaged 10 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in his four-year career. His teams made it to the National Invitational Tournament final twice, winning the title in 2004, but could never garner a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
LIVE — This could be a play-in game
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Mar. 7, 2009
MINNEAPOLIS — After today’s game between the Michigan men’s basketball team and Minnesota, we will know one team that is a lock for an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, probably. The Wolverines (8-9 Big Ten, 18-12 overall) and the Golden Gophers (9-8, 21-8) are both feeling the heat of life on the bubble. So much is on the line for both teams’ NCAA Tournament hopes. If Michigan wins, it will likely garner an NCAA Tournament bid, its first since 1998.
If the Wolverines lose, they still have a decent shot of making the Tournament. They’ll need to win a couple games in the Big Ten Tournament. But the Wolverines are still trying to improve their dismal 2-8 road record. Williams Arena, affectionately referred to as “The Barn,” is a tough place to play. The Golden Gophers are 17-2 at home this season, with their only two losses coming to Michigan State and Purdue.
Minnesota is basically in the same situation as Michigan. The Gophers played a relatively cupcake schedule out of conference and need to impress the selection committee with a better-than-average conference showing. Either way, whoever wins tonight, has a really, really, really good chance to make the NCAA Tournament.
The Wolverines are wearing maize laces in their navy blue addidas. This is a new look for Michigan. We’ll see how it works out.
Starting lineups
Michigan
G Stu Douglass
G C.J. Lee
G Zack Novak
F Manny Harris
F DeShawn Sims
Minnesota
G Devoe Joseph
G Blake Hoffarber
F Damian Johnson
F Jamal Abu -Shamala
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LIVE — The battle of the bubbles
By Ruth Lincoln, written on Mar. 1, 2009
MADISON — You could say there’s a lot on the line this afternoon for the Michigan men’s basketball team and Wisconsin. Actually, you could say that about a lot of teams two weeks before Selection Sunday. With just two or three regular season games and a conference tournament left, more than a dozen teams are on that bubble and trying to solidify their résumés to gain an at-large bid.
As much as Michigan (8-8 Big Ten, 18-11 overall) has been on the edge of the bubble this conference season, Wisconsin (8-7, 17-10) has been right there, too. The Badgers lost six straight in conference, but since have responded winning five of their last six. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have won three of their last four, including Thursday’s 87-78 upset of No. 16 Purdue.
But it’s definitely not going to get any easier. With today’s game and next week’s road contest against Minnesota left on its regular-season schedule, Michigan needs a win today or next week. The Wolverines have played well at home but don’t have a road win over a good team. That being said, the Kohl center is a tough place to play. Under Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, the Badgers have never lost a home game to an unranked Big Ten opponent (47-0). The last one game against Iowa on Jan. 29, 2000, and sophomore forward Manny Harris was 10 years old.
Harris and junior forward DeShawn Sims shot a combined 21-of-31 in Thursday’s win. A road win today will require the same exceptional effort. The Badgers handled the Wolverines during their first meeting at Crisler Arena on Dec. 31. Wisconsin scored on nine of its first 10 possessions and led the entire 40 minutes. But the Wolverines have been a different team the last couple weeks. They’ve buckled down on defense and effectively used some of their best offensive weapons.
Fans can only enter the Kohl Center one hour before the game, so things are still pretty quiet about 45 minutes before tipoff. The game is televised on Big Ten Network and statistics can be found here. Keep checking back or live updates throughout the game.
Starting lineups
Michigan
G Zack Novak
G Stu Douglass
G C.J. Lee
F Manny Harris
F DeShawn Sims
Wisconsin
G Trevon Hughes
G Jason Bohannon
F Jon Leuer
F Joe Krabbenhoft
F Marcus Landry
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