At the sports desk: University of Michigan basketball--building

They beat a "cupcake" opponent in Norfolk State, but the important thing is that their effort didn't slip following their big victory over UCLA last week:

"Less than a week removed from the Michigan Wolverines' upset of then-fourth-ranked UCLA, U-M said there would be no letdown after such an important victory for the program. Granted, the Wolverines followed that victory with a loss to Duke in the title game of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in New York City, but the point was made. Maybe the Wolverines aren't exactly back, but they have a confidence and a swagger that was not evident last season...."We've got fight in us," guard Manny Harris said of the early season success. "Everybody wants to get better and everybody works hard every second in practice, and we hold each other accountable."

They're definitely improved over last season. And Michigan athletics needs good news right now...