12:15
I barely wake up in time to watch Michigan play in the VCU match-up. They are the first game of the day for a national TV audience. The game is in Auburn Hills, MI, where the Detroit Pistons play (“The Palace”).
The Wolverines were pressed by the Rams, who played a seemingly dirty, desperate style from the start. Michigan unleashed a trio of NBA-worthy guards in Tim Hardaway Jr., Nick Stauskus, and Trey Burke along with “The Monster” Mitch McGary, to stop the press. They built a fifteen point Wolverine halftime lead, 38-23.
To start the second half, the Rams pressed on, continuing with their fouling ways. They got away with it for the first few possessions, stealing the ball each time before we could even get off a shot. It was a pressure test out of the gate for Wolverines, who responded to play brilliantly and blow out Virginia Commonwealth 78-53.
After this game, Michigan State will take the court against Memphis.
2:45
Michigan State seems to be playing in the Wolverines shoes to start out, building a double-digit lead over the Tigers. At halftime, however, the Spartans clung to a narrow edge, 32-29.
In the second half, Michigan State rose to the occasion like their in-state counterparts, with some high-flying and swatting from Adreian Payne. They kept the 10-point lead over Memphis this time, finishing them off 70-48.
Thanks to some Palace magic, the Spartans and Wolverines became the first two teams in the Sweet 16. The two teams had never played in the same Sweet 16 together.
4:15
Michigan’s Hockey Team
I didn’t watch this, but I was there, in spirit. We advanced with a 6-2 win over Miami (OH) to play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the Conference Tournament Title – and an automatic birth in the NCAA’s.
I have been forced to catch some shut eye.
7:00
Pistons vs. Bobcats
My nap awoke me around the second or third quarter; it’s foggy. Trailing seven at the end of the third, Detroit stood tall against the truly inferior Bobcats (even in Charlotte). Charlie Villanueva sent home a slam with authority to take a Piston lead in the waning moments 90-89, before Kemba Walker stole it back 91-90 at the free throw line. Obviously, though, V. wasn’t finished and scored that game-winner, 92-91!
(4 for 4 for the State of Michigan.)
10:30
With my tank on E, a snarf randomly insults my Clippers second-hand through a friend. I suddenly regain my will to win the match-up against Brooklyn in Los Angeles.
It was like the basketball I had watched all day. The muggings should have been reported. Coincidentally, VCU, Memphis, and the Nets all play a physical style. In the Clippers game, they actually hurt Chris Paul and sent him to the bench. Eric Bledsoe, who has been missing for weeks, steps in. Amazing timing.
Trailing 49-47 at halftime, I had a headache. Damn Reggie Evans not playing for us!
At the end of the third, the Clippers fell into a 75-70 hole. They battled back in the fourth, making it a back and forth game.
These photos will illustrate some of what Chris Paul did, but it won’t tell the entire tale. We start with “the steal,” where Jamal Crawford picked off the Nets with the Clippers leading by only two and under a minute remaining.
The Steal
Paul’s And1
Suck It
Hangin’
Focus
Saved Us
Got It
Paul was the man.
What a day!
……..Michigans got the sports …….I needed a nap and a geritol I. V…………All that hard work finally results in a monster and Historic Day…………….hope you caught it all cause it’ll be another generation before the next opening of a curtain like that one!