They were definitely hot to close that year. Just a ridiculous week at the Big Ten Tourney…
There have been some really good teams since Beilein though: 13, 14, 18, 19, 21 all probably had more talent.
I think the '14 group was probably the most fun. I feel like that team was the last true “Beilein team” in that they just had insane shooting and played no defense. Basically the better version of his WVU teams.
The final cycle of Beilein teams was really good, and probably better, but also different.
It’s still hard for me to remember/realize that there is probably a huge portion of the Michigan fan base, readers of this site, whatever, who didn’t follow the team at that point.
To me, those years of trying to make the NCAA Tournament (and then Beilein finally making it) are sort of like the formative part of what this current generation of Michigan hoops is.
he was already good, but it was unbelievable how much he (and, to a lesser extent, irvin) rewrote his story in the second half of his senior year. i have been pining for a PG who could take a jab-step 3 ever since, and i thought JL was gonna be it
Yes for sure. But those who weren’t around for that now includes college graduates so there’s a pretty loud voice of UM fans that have only been around in the good days. Back in my day we were excited about the NIT…
Yeah 2009 was so sweet after so many years of missing the tournament. Then winning a game and giving Blake Griffin a run for his money despite the ridiculous foul situation was a lot of fun
Looking forward to rekindling our rich NIT history this year and hopefully getting revenge on Villanova in the title game on the 5 year anniversary of the last title matchup.
Yeah, I loved so many of the Beilein teams, but many time when the end of the season came it was a bit sad, but felt good because they achieved so much.
The 2014 team was the one where I was pretty legit upset that their season ended just like that and it was over. It just felt like a team that was gonna roll into a championship game or something as when that loss to Kentucky happened, it just felt like there was more meat on the bone for them that year.
I think you mean a Wednesday evening loss to Nebraska by 53 points. With Joey Bologna stepping off the bench for the Huskers to can 6 consecutive threes to end our season.
)
