At the sports desk: University of Michigan basketball--still a bit of a ways to go

The Wolverines are inconsistent the other night in losing to Maryland:

"Michigan coach John Beilein knows his basketball team well. But even he's not sure yet which team will show: the quickly improving Wolverines, or the still-a-bit-scary ones. Beilein got a show of everything as Maryland defeated Michigan, 75-70, at the Comcast Center as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The good Michigan team dominated the first half. The iffy squad showed up in the second and lost the game. The slow-starting Wolverines quickly gave away a six-point halftime lead, allowing Maryland to reel off a game-changing 16-3 run."

Young college basketball teams will do that--they'll have letdowns, especially early in the second half. This Michigan team's progress will show up in how much Coach Beilein can eliminate those letdowns.

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...

At the sports desk: University of Michigan basketball

It's been a tough run for Michigan basketball lately. They haven't made the NCAA tournament for over a decade. The program was hit by scandal in the wake of the Fab Five era. They struggled to rise above mediocrity under the leadership of Tommy Amaker.

But last night, under second year Coach John Beilein, the Wolverines stunned UCLA, 55-52:

"A loud group of Michigan fans pumped their fists and sang a happy tune as they walked through the corridors of Madison Square Garden toward the busy Manhattan streets. "It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine," they sang. There hasn't been much to cheer for Michigan fans. Now the entire basketball nation is roaring about the Wolverines following their 55-52 upset Thursday night of No. 4 UCLA in the semifinals of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. Michigan overcame a 10-point deficit with tenacious defense, mostly off the 1-3-1 trapping defense. "They did a very good job in the zone," said UCLA coach Ben Howland. "They disguised it well and we did not know if they were coming with it or pulling it back."

Congratulations to John Beilein for sticking with his methods, sticking with his plan, and giving Michigan fans something about which to feel proud. Suddenly the future of Michigan basketball looks brighter. Michigan fans should remember this when thinking about Rich Rodriguez's current struggles with the football team. Just wait 'til next year.