[NU Sports] Wildcats 68, Michigan 62

Mon Jan 11 22:35:01 CST 2010

Jeff and List Gang,

   Drew Crawford proves what Dennis has been pointing out for years. Talent wins games.  Michigan's coach stated"... they haven't had that type of athlete who could do some of the things he was doing..."  (Daily Herald; 1/9/10), when referring to Crawford.
   And the play at center has been mediocre, but if Luka plays like he did Sunday, it only proves players can get better as the season progresses. (see Mike Kafka).  Carmedy has stated that the play at center must improve, what's so bad if someone on our list says the same thing?
    Dennis has also stated that Crawford is a good player, and that Carmedy is getting better players, such as Coble and Thompson.  Maybe, we have reached the "tipping point", where quality players can absorb severe losses such as Coble and Ryan.  As our friend Martha would say,"That's a good thing".   

    GO CATS!!!           Eric

-----Original Message-----
From: Beamsley, Jeff <Jeff.Beamsley at covisint.com>
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Sent: Mon, Jan 11, 2010 8:46 am
Subject: RE: [NU Sports] Wildcats 68, Michigan 62

I understand that you are a "glass half empty" sort of person and in
hat context your comments about shortcomings of our athletic teams make
ense.
The reality, though, is that in most sports including basketball, there
s more than one way to win.
The past game proved that Drew Crawford can be a dominant back court
layer who can take over a game.
Thompson and Shurna also have that capability.
You're right when you say that NU doesn't have a dominant center.  The
rinceton offense, though, doesn't require a scoring center in order to
ork. You have to be able to pass and set picks.  It also helps if you
ave enough of an outside shot that in man defenses the center has to
ome out and guard you.  Mirkovic satisfies those requirements.
The Illinois game demonstrated how a really good big man can break down
ur zone.  On most nights, though, the center isn't going to go 9-11
rom the free throw line.  On most nights, our offense also gives us an
pportunity to put the starting front court players in foul trouble.
hat doesn't guarantee us a win, but it does give us options when our
enter is overmatched.  
NU clearly doesn't have the talent this year to win a national
hampionship.  As our resident Eeyore, you're likely to continue to
emind us of that.  But please don't take offense that the rest of us
illy Pooh's aren't thinking about that.  Just getting an invitation to
he tournament this year will likely be all the excitement we can
andle.
Jeff  

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From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com]
n Behalf Of Dennis W. Brandt
ent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 9:54 PM
o: nwu-sports at tssi.com
ubject: Re: [NU Sports] Wildcats 68, Michigan 62
I am one of those "badmouthers" who says that we have no center - if you
efine "badmouthing" as identifying the obvious.  If only player A could
o this and player B could do that, we would be champions.  It's the
ternal optimist's answer to every problem and no answer at all.
ircovic played the best game tonight I've ever seen him play, but it
as little more than what you should expect from a Big Ten center.  He
id it in no small part because Michigan does not have a big front line
nd is a worse rebounding team than Northwestern.  We won tonight
ecause someone threw gasoline on Drew Crawford, lit a match, and he
ave Michigan third degree burns.  I believe we may have an
onest-to-God basketball player on our hands, but it's not at center.
----- Original Message -----
rom: "Weinbaum, Willie" <Willie.Weinbaum at espn.com>
o: <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
ent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 8:19 PM
ubject: Re: [NU Sports] Wildcats 68, Michigan 62

 Not to be lost amid the great game by Crawford and clutch play by 
 Thompson, Shurna and Nash is the key contribution by Mirkovic.  He
ought 
 and fought, got big rebounds and shots, played tough defense and
howed 
 more confidence.  He even hit a big three-pointer from the corner.

 Despite the badmouthing by some on this list - - who have said we have
no 
 center" (and worse) - - Mirkovic is an important player and his
fforts 
 could be vital to the team's fortunes.  If he can get on a roll with
is 
 outside shot, which has not been the case yet this season (but he is 
 capable), the Cats will become a much more dangerous team.  Especially
> encouraging today was that he held his ground inside against a tough
ig 
 man and didn't get discouraged by a couple of rocky moments on
ffense.

 A crucial win, indeed.  Crawford's Big Ten coming out party and a
elluva 
 comeback - - with great tenacity (especially on defense) that overcame
> spotty play and first-half shooting woes.  A treat to watch Crawford
et 
 the Cats out of a big hole, inspire the whole team and display so much
> talent in another uplifting game to watch.
>From Blackberry - please excuse typos

 W. Weinbaum
 Producer
 212-916-9864 (24-hour voicemail)
 willie.weinbaum at espn.com

 ----- Original Message -----
 From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com <nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com>
 To: nwu-sports at tssi.com <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
 Sent: Sun Jan 10 17:29:08 2010Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Wildcats 68, 
 Michigan 62

   Big win for our court Cats.  We were listless on offnse and defense,
nd 
 Crawford himself went on an 11-0 run; incredible stuff.  It was 31-14
ith 
 5:00 to go in the first half; as such, we outscored 'em 54-31 the last
5 
 minutes.  Carmedy went to a trap, 2,3 men to the ball and it REALLY
ot 
 under Michigan's skin.
   This may be superflous, but it may have been a "save the season"
ind of 
 win; 0-3 in conference with Wisconsin and Purdue coming up next isn't

 good spot to be in.  We need to go, at the minimum, 3-6 in conference
nd 
 make hay in the second half.

         GO CATS!!!   Eric

 -----Original Message-----
 From: Abrahamson, Alan (NBC Universal) <Alan.Abrahamson at nbcsports.com>
 To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
 Sent: Sun, Jan 10, 2010 5:05 pm
 Subject: [NU Sports] Wildcats 68, Michigan 62

 Wildcats fell behind by 17, came back behind freshman Drew Crawford
whose 
 NBA
 ef dad had called the Piston game the night before and was in the
tand at
 risler) to go up 10, win by 6.
 Go Wildcats!
 PS: I love beating Michigan. In anything.
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