Turning the Corner: Michigan Basketball Gets Signature Win Over No. 4 UCLA

It's been an exercise in patience, but John Beilein has been able to put together a young, talented, and feisty bunch in Ann Arbor.

After a tumultuous first season, which saw the Wolverines go 10-22 overall and 5-13 in conference play, expectations were tempered, but you could feel a buzz around the program.  They had shown improvement as last season went on, winning five of their last 10 conference games, and expectations were warming up on the heels of Beilein's first recruiting class, which brought some shooters.

They have a bona fide star in Manny Harris, an All Big-Ten Freshman Team selection last year, who is expected to be the leader of the team and improve on his 16.1 ppg. So far, he has gone above and beyond, averaging 28.0 ppg in the first two contests of the season and posting 15 points in tonight's big 55-52 win over No. 4 UCLA.

Michigan went into the game as 10-point underdogs and quickly found themselves down 1-9 early in the first half.  They were able to stabilize a bit by halftime, thanks to some active defense and transition buckets, going into the locker room down six at 29-23.

It was amazing that they were that close considering they shot a horrendous 1-12 from beyond the arc in the first half, but they rebounded nicely in the second, going 4-8.

Michigan was led by junior forward DeShawn Sims, who had 18 points, five rebounds, and a thunderous dunk that iced the game.  Manny Harris chipped in with 15 after going into the break with only five points.

The heroes of the game, though, in addition to Harris and Sims, were two freshmen—Stu Douglass and Zach Novak.

Douglass game out in the second half and drained almost everything he put up, including a crucial three-pointer with just over four minutes remaining that gave Michigan the lead.  The kid was fearless and can flat-out shoot the rock, as his threes were from NBA range.

Novak's stat line looks pretty pedestrian, as he didn't get a bucket all night, but his tenacious defense, multiple deflections, steals, and outlet passes were key in the second half.

UCLA has some bona fide pro prospects and the No. 1 recruiting class this year.  Still, they were outhustled by Michigan tonight and looked confused much of the night by Michigan's pressure 1-3-1 defense. 

John Beilein has done a masterful job of recruiting and is getting the most out of his players.  Everyone on the floor looks very comfortable in his role and is doing a great job on the defensive end.  It appears as though Beilein has everyone on the same page and heading in the right direction.

It might be too early to start thinking of an NCAA Tourney bid, but you can't help but think that given some time to groom this young squad and add to it, Michigan's postseason drought is sure to come to an end...and soon.

Michigan suits up again tomorrow night, against No. 5 Duke, who had a hard time with Southern Illinois in the first half before dispatching them 83-58.  It will be another test for Beilein's boys, but win or lose, they have to feel good about their performance to start this season.

Congrats, BIG BLUE and Coach Beilein, on your first of hopefully many big wins.