Michigan Basketball Ready To Rock 'n Roll: The Top Five Games of 2009-10

Paul Fournier — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:11:49 -0500

As the dismal University of Michigan football season closes up, this gives me a chance to highlight the top five men's basketball games for the 2009-2010 season.

Big hopes are on the Wolverines after last season, beating UCLA, Duke, and making it to the second round of the NCAA tournament before dropping to Oklahoma.

John Beilein's crew really got the fans excited after blowing out Northern Michigan 97-50.

Manny Harris had only the second triple-double in recorded Michigan basketball
history, and us fans would like to see that happen more often for Manny.

Gary Grant had the only other triple-double way back in 1987.

Coach Beilein has scheduled some very tough games, and us fans are looking forward
to all of them.

1. Michigan at Kansas: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009

Oh boy! Michigan will have their hands full with the No. 1 Jayhawks. Beilein doesn't mess around; if you want to prove you belong with the best, you have to play the best.

Harris, DeShawn Sims, and their teammates will have to be in top form to beat Kansas.

Kansas is a very talented team with players like Sherron Collins, Xavier Henry, and Cole Aldrich, and the great Jayhawk fans will be a very loud and rowdy group.

2. Michigan State at Michigan: Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010

The No. 2 Spartans come to Crisler Arena for what should be a wild and fun contest. The Spartans will be more than a handful for the Wolverines. I hope the Michigan fans show up in force and make a lot of noise.

We really got Crisler Arena rocking last season for the Duke game, and Mike Krzyzewski, Duke's head coach, said after that game, "What a great crowd."

The fans need to wear their maize and show the team some big-time support. If I hear "go green, go white" too much, I'll need my aspirins.

I'll bring a full bottle just in case.

3. Connecticut at Michigan: Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010

Jerome Dyson and the Huskies roll into Ann Arbor for a great game. I personally have marked this game on my big calendar.

Jim Calhoun's bunch will in full force for this tough matchup. Michigan has payback on its mind after losing in Storrs last season.

Michigan's Stu Douglass went off in that game, but he wasn't enough to handle the Huskies.

It will be interesting to see if Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon, or Charlie Villanueva shows up to support UConn.

4. Michigan at Purdue: Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010

Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, and Michigan will all be in a big-time battle for the top spot in the Big Ten Conference. The Michigan-Purdue basketball rivalry got a huge boost when Harris accidentally hit Purdue's Chris Kramer in the nose with an elbow. Manny was ejected after this, but I'm sure he didn't do this on purpose.

The Wolverines must put aside the crowd reactions and play an up-tempo game.

Michigan freshman point guard Darius Morris has already shown some great ball-handling and passing skills, as well as liking to drive to the basket.

So many good teams in the Big Ten conference this season—every game will be a much-needed win for Michigan.

5. Michigan at Michigan State: Saturday, March 6, 2010

When was the last time Michigan's basketball team won in East Lansing? I don't offhand remember. It's been a while though.

The last regular season game for both teams will be a barnburner. Seeding for the Big Ten Tournament, as well as the NCAA Tournament, will be on the line.

The Spartan faithful I'm sure will make the Wolverines feel right at home before, during, and after this game.

I'd like to see Michigan get on a roll with road wins this season.

Winning at Crisler Arena is a lot easier to do than, say, in East Lansing, in Storrs, Connecticut, or in Lawrence, Kansas.

All in all, I see great things for Michigan's men's basketball team this season. A trip to the Sweet 16 may be a well-received surprise.

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Michigan Basketball Ready To Rock 'n Roll: The Top Five Games of 2009-10