Trey Burke is coming back!!!

The aMAIZEing freshman Trey Burke will come back for his sophomore year at the University of Michigan next season. Amid rumors from everywhere that Burke was going to forgo his eligibility and join the upcoming NBA draft, he has said today that he will be back to finish what he and the others started this past season.

Had Burke decided to leave for the NBA, well let's just say that there was no one behind him on the current roster to take over as point guard. Michigan did receive a commitment from Spike Albrecht, a point guard from the New England area over the weekend. But Albrecht is a under the radar guy that would probably be best served as a backup to Burke for at least a season. Luckily, Albrecht will get the chance to play behind Trey for the upcoming season and give him a breather here and there (something Trey didn't get much of this year). 

Because of Burke coming back next year, the expectations for the team sky-rocket. Michigan is seen as a top-10 team, with the return of Burke and the addition of incoming freshman Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III, and Nick Stauskas. While Michigan will be good next year, I am withholding judgement until I see how well McGary and Robinson fit in with the already established cast of Trey Burke, Jordan Morgan, Tim Hardaway Jr. and co.

Either way, this is great news to have Burke coming back. 

Wolverine Basketball: The Departed

Following the disappointedly early exit from the NCAA Tournament by the men's basketball team, there were several departures that are worth mentioning. Of course there was the obvious departure of Stu Douglas and Zack Novak, since both were seniors, but there were a few surprises as well. 


Evan Smotrycz, Carlton Brundidge and Colton Christian all decided to transfer from the University of Michigan last week. Smotrycz was a big contributor who started many games this last season; however, Brundidge had a few minutes here and there backing up Trey Burke and Christian would get a few minutes in mop up duty. So obviously the loss of Smotrycz is what is going to hurt the team the most. But with the class of freshman that are coming in this next season there was a good chance that his minutes were going to dwindle a bit with that added competition. 


The loss of Brundidge could hurt Michigan as well since Burke is looking at his draft potential for the upcoming NBA draft. Hopefully Burke decides to stay at Michigan at least one more year since Coach Beilein has not yet received a commitment from a point guard to even back up Burke if he does stay. While Brundidge did appear to be behind in learning the system, he was the best available backup for Burke on the team.


While these departures hurt the team, at least we have some solid players coming in next season to lessen the impact. The biggest issue though is what happens if Trey Burke decides to also leave (for the NBA)? Time will tell, since we should know in a few weeks, but if he leaves, we could be in some trouble.

March Madness 2012

Hopefully we see a ton of this happening

Congrats to Michigan for being the 4 seed in the Midwest Region for the 2012 NCAA Tournament. They will play the Ohio University Bobcats (yes, the real Ohio, not the other "Ohio") on Friday March 16 at 7:20 pm. It appears that Michigan is a 5 point favorite to win. Hopefully the Wolverines will come to play, unlike they did against Ohio (yes, that Ohio) in the B1G Tournament championship. As long as Tim Hardaway Jr, Jordan Morgan, and the others give Trey Burke some help, this should be a relatively easy victory.


I see the California Golden Bears beating the South Florida Bulls in the "First Round" and then also beating the Temple Owls in the second round. Therefore, this sets up Michigan and California in the third round. I think Michigan will be able to pull out a somewhat close game and then play the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Sweet Sixteen. However, I think that is where Michigan's run ends... and it will possibly end in doom. But maybe the Wolverines prove me wrong. 


Anyways, again congrats to the boys and good luck. GO BLUE!

Regular Season B1G Champs!

Congrats to the Michigan Wolverines Men's Basketball Team for winning a share of the regular season B1G Championship along with the Michigan State Spartans and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Thanks to the Buckeyes for knocking off the Spartans yesterday, it allowed Michigan to get its first B1G Championship since 1986. Congrats again to the Wolverines and GO BLUE!