Michigan Wolverines: Ohio State Buckeyes
As a freshman at Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic, cornerback Darius West was a starter on the freshman team. After a few games, he was moved up to junior varsity and started there. And after a few more games, he was moved to varsity. And of course, he started there.
"We saw toughness from him, even as a freshman," Central Catholic coach Jerry Cooper said. "He didn't back down from our senior players. He was really competitive."
The 5-foot-10 cornerback had a nose for the ball and was the type of player that Cooper couldn't keep on the sidelines. Now as a sophomore, West is quickly becoming one of the top 2014 cornerback prospects in the Midwest.
"We saw toughness from him, even as a freshman," Central Catholic coach Jerry Cooper said. "He didn't back down from our senior players. He was really competitive."
The 5-foot-10 cornerback had a nose for the ball and was the type of player that Cooper couldn't keep on the sidelines. Now as a sophomore, West is quickly becoming one of the top 2014 cornerback prospects in the Midwest.
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Michigan vs. its rivals in the ESPN 150 over the past five years 
April, 16, 2012
Apr 16
10:41
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By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Every year, ESPN ranks out the top 150 recruits in the country based off combines, camps and highlight reels.
The experts don’t always get it right. Players like Jordan Kovacs and Blake Countess never appeared on the list, despite being staples in the Wolverines' secondary. And there are players that make the list and then are never heard from again once they hit the college circuit.
And the most successful school on the field doesn't always get the most top recruits on the trail.
The experts don’t always get it right. Players like Jordan Kovacs and Blake Countess never appeared on the list, despite being staples in the Wolverines' secondary. And there are players that make the list and then are never heard from again once they hit the college circuit.
And the most successful school on the field doesn't always get the most top recruits on the trail.
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Meyer embracing Michigan-OSU rivalry
April, 11, 2012
Apr 11
6:11
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By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Every day in the Ohio State football locker room, there is a reminder. Much like what is at Michigan, the rivalry between the Wolverines and Buckeyes is never far from anyone’s mind.
At Michigan, there are countdown clocks. Last season there was a count posted of days since Michigan had beaten Ohio State. At Ohio State, there are videos playing.
“In the locker room every day, we have videos playing of the past 100 years of the tradition of the game,” Buckeyes fullback Zach Boren said. “That video has been playing for a long time. It reminds us every day how significant that game is and how many great games have been played in that rivalry.”
At Michigan, there are countdown clocks. Last season there was a count posted of days since Michigan had beaten Ohio State. At Ohio State, there are videos playing.
“In the locker room every day, we have videos playing of the past 100 years of the tradition of the game,” Buckeyes fullback Zach Boren said. “That video has been playing for a long time. It reminds us every day how significant that game is and how many great games have been played in that rivalry.”
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Michigan has landed yet another commitment for the 2013 class, this time from linebacker Ben Gedeon (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson), who confirmed via text message.
The ESPN 150 watch list prospect chose the Wolverines on the heels of a visit to Stanford, and over offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford and Tennessee among others.
The ESPN 150 watch list prospect chose the Wolverines on the heels of a visit to Stanford, and over offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford and Tennessee among others.
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Wilson improving and the OSU rivalry
April, 10, 2012
Apr 10
1:55
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By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It’s the question and saying that won’t go away.
Ohio may have beaten Michigan in the NCAA tournament. The Athens, Ohio-based school expressed its displeasure with Wolverines coaches and players referring to Ohio State just as ‘Ohio’ -- a battle those two schools have gone through themselves.
Yet when Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs was asked about Ohio State on Tuesday, he referred to the Buckeyes as ‘Ohio.’ When a reporter joked that Kovacs couldn’t say Ohio State, he laughed.
Then responded: “I can’t.”
Ohio may have beaten Michigan in the NCAA tournament. The Athens, Ohio-based school expressed its displeasure with Wolverines coaches and players referring to Ohio State just as ‘Ohio’ -- a battle those two schools have gone through themselves.
Yet when Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs was asked about Ohio State on Tuesday, he referred to the Buckeyes as ‘Ohio.’ When a reporter joked that Kovacs couldn’t say Ohio State, he laughed.
Then responded: “I can’t.”
Trey Burke joins elite company again
March, 22, 2012
Mar 22
10:30
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By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Michigan guard Trey Burke just completed a season where he went from an underrated prospect to one of the best guards in the Big Ten.
He earned half of the league's Rookie of the Year along with Indiana's Cody Zeller, guided Michigan to a NCAA tournament berth and made some almost forget about last year's point guard, Darius Morris.
He also finished his season with something else. In scoring 504 points and setting a Michigan freshman record with 156 assists, he became the 10th freshman in the Big Ten since 1979-80 to lead his team in points and assists, joining a pretty elite group.
Big Ten freshmen to lead team in total points and assists since 1980:
He earned half of the league's Rookie of the Year along with Indiana's Cody Zeller, guided Michigan to a NCAA tournament berth and made some almost forget about last year's point guard, Darius Morris.
He also finished his season with something else. In scoring 504 points and setting a Michigan freshman record with 156 assists, he became the 10th freshman in the Big Ten since 1979-80 to lead his team in points and assists, joining a pretty elite group.
Big Ten freshmen to lead team in total points and assists since 1980:
- Trey Burke, Michigan (2011-12): 504 points (14.8 ppg.); 156 assists (4.6 apg.)
- **Talor Battle, Penn State (2007-08): 317 points (10.2 ppg.); 99 assists (3.2 apg.)
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Deveon Smith realizes dream with pledge
March, 18, 2012
Mar 18
3:16
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By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
It’s not every day a prospect has the opportunity to play for his childhood dream school. It’s even rarer for that school to be Michigan for someone from Ohio and whose father lives in Columbus.
That is the case for Class of 2013 running back Deveon Smith (Warren, Ohio/Howland), who committed to the Wolverines on Saturday.
Smith made the decision while visiting Ann Arbor on Saturday.
That is the case for Class of 2013 running back Deveon Smith (Warren, Ohio/Howland), who committed to the Wolverines on Saturday.
Smith made the decision while visiting Ann Arbor on Saturday.
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Michigan continued its hot streak on the recruiting trail by landing another top prospect. Running back Deveon Smith (Warren, Ohio/Howland) decided that he has seen enough and has committed to the Wolverines.
The ESPNU 150 Watch List back had narrowed his search to Michigan and Ohio State, and Brady Hoke and his staff came out ahead for the talented prospect. Smith and his father grew up Michigan fans, so that was certainly an added advantage for the Wolverines.
Smith measures 5-foot-11, 210 pounds and will provide the coaching staff with the type of back they’ve been looking for. Commitment Wyatt Shallman (Novi, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) is the bigger, bruising back in this class, and Smith still brings size to the table, but he is more of a traditional back. He doesn’t have great speed, but the way he runs will remind some Michigan fans of past backs who wore the winged helmet.
The ESPNU 150 Watch List back had narrowed his search to Michigan and Ohio State, and Brady Hoke and his staff came out ahead for the talented prospect. Smith and his father grew up Michigan fans, so that was certainly an added advantage for the Wolverines.
Smith measures 5-foot-11, 210 pounds and will provide the coaching staff with the type of back they’ve been looking for. Commitment Wyatt Shallman (Novi, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) is the bigger, bruising back in this class, and Smith still brings size to the table, but he is more of a traditional back. He doesn’t have great speed, but the way he runs will remind some Michigan fans of past backs who wore the winged helmet.
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According to the LA Times, linebacker Su'a Cravens (Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta) has decided three of his five official visits will be to Michigan, Nebraska and Ohio State.
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Wolverines haven't lost 2 in row yet
March, 11, 2012
Mar 11
8:53
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- As the team bus left Indianapolis and started toward Ann Arbor, Michigan coach John Beilein was already clipping film from the Wolverines' embarrassing Big Ten tournament loss to Ohio State.
He was eager to see what had gone so wrong against the Buckeyes so the Wolverines could fix those mistakes and move on to preparing for their NCAA tournament berth.
"We've grown in defeat, and you grow in defeat quicker than you grow in victory," Beilein said. "I enjoy going into the classroom, into the practice court, the film room with [the team] because they've embraced this hard work."
He was eager to see what had gone so wrong against the Buckeyes so the Wolverines could fix those mistakes and move on to preparing for their NCAA tournament berth.
"We've grown in defeat, and you grow in defeat quicker than you grow in victory," Beilein said. "I enjoy going into the classroom, into the practice court, the film room with [the team] because they've embraced this hard work."
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It was two co-Big Ten Champions going at it after a season in which they split games. But in Indianapolis on Saturday, as Ohio State dominated in a 77-55 win over Michigan, the Wolverines didn't look the part.
Unlike the night before when Michigan came out slow against Minnesota and trailed by as many as nine points before clawing its way back, there would be no semblance of a comeback for the Wolverines.
Besides ending the Wolverines back to Ann Arbor, the loss could affect Michigan's NCAA seeding. Before the game, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi had the Wolverines sitting at a 3-seed, but the huge loss could drop the Wolverines to a 4-seed (or worse?) depending on how other conference tournaments shake out.
Unlike the night before when Michigan came out slow against Minnesota and trailed by as many as nine points before clawing its way back, there would be no semblance of a comeback for the Wolverines.
Besides ending the Wolverines back to Ann Arbor, the loss could affect Michigan's NCAA seeding. Before the game, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi had the Wolverines sitting at a 3-seed, but the huge loss could drop the Wolverines to a 4-seed (or worse?) depending on how other conference tournaments shake out.
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A week ago, the Michigan basketball team became massive Ohio State basketball fans, cheering for every move the Buckeyes made, every shot William Buford took. If Ohio State beat Michigan State last weekend, Michigan would get a share of the Big Ten regular season title.
Michigan won't be nearly as friendly Saturday.
The Wolverines and Buckeyes play for the third time this season in the Big Ten semifinals.
Michigan won't be nearly as friendly Saturday.
The Wolverines and Buckeyes play for the third time this season in the Big Ten semifinals.
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Jennings' picks in the Big Ten tournament
March, 6, 2012
Mar 6
1:09
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Michigan State enters the Big Ten Tournament with the top seed, despite a two-game losing skid to end its regular season schedule.
While the losses at the end of the season were surprising to say the least, it seemed to exemplify a conference in which on any given night any team (that's right, all you Wildcats and Boilermakers fans) could win.
But here are my predictions for how the Big Ten Tournament goes down in Indianapolis. But I will preface that with the fact that I'm terrible at predictions. With the exception of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, in which I picked all four No. 1 seeds to make it to the Final Four, I've never done well in bracket competitions. So, here goes…
While the losses at the end of the season were surprising to say the least, it seemed to exemplify a conference in which on any given night any team (that's right, all you Wildcats and Boilermakers fans) could win.
But here are my predictions for how the Big Ten Tournament goes down in Indianapolis. But I will preface that with the fact that I'm terrible at predictions. With the exception of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, in which I picked all four No. 1 seeds to make it to the Final Four, I've never done well in bracket competitions. So, here goes…
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Big Ten men's basketball postseason awards
March, 5, 2012
Mar 5
7:34
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
The Big Ten announced its postseason men's basketball awards Monday night. Here are the recipients:
Player of Year (coaches and media): Draymond Green, Michigan State
Freshman of Year: Trey Burke, Michigan (media); Cody Zeller, Indiana (coaches)
Coach of the Year (coaches and media): Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Defensive Player of the Year (only coaches vote): Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Sixth man of the Year (only coaches vote): D.J. Byrd, Purdue
All-Big Ten First team (Coaches): Draymond Green, Michigan State; John Shurna, Northwestern; Jared Sullinger, Ohio State; Robbie Hummel, Purdue; Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin.
All-Big Ten First team (Media): Green; Shurna; Sullinger; Hummel; Tim Frazier, Penn State
All-Big Ten Second team (Coaches): Cody Zeller, Indiana; Trey Burke, Michigan; William Buford, Ohio State; Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State; Frazier
All-Big Ten Second team (media): Zeller, Burke, Buford, Taylor; Matt Gatens, Iowa
All-Big Ten Third team (coaches): Brandon Paul, Illinois; Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan; Keith Appling, Michigan State; Drew Crawford, Northwestern; Gatens
All-Big Ten Third team (media): Hardaway Jr.; Appling; Crawford; Deshaun Thomas; Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Honorable Mention (coaches): Meyers Leonard, Illinois; Christian Watford, Indiana; Craft; Lewis Jackson, Purdue; Jared Berggren, Wisconsin; Ryan Evans, Wisconsin
Honorable Mention (media): Leonard; Paul; Jordan Hulls, Indiana; Victor Oladipo, Indiana; Watford; Aaron White, Iowa; Zack Novak, Michigan; Branden Dawson, Michigan State; D.J. Byrd, Purdue; Lewis Jackson, Purdue; Berggren; Evans.
All-Freshman Team (coaches only): Cody Zeller, Indiana; Trey Burke, Michigan; Aaron White, Iowa; Branden Dawson, Michigan State; Dave Sobolewski, Northwestern
All-Defensive Team (coaches only): Victor Oladipo, Indiana; Draymond Green, Michigan State; Aaron Craft, Ohio State; Tim Frazier, Penn State; Josh Gasser, Wisconsin
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award: Stu Douglass, Michigan; Sam Maniscalco, Illinois; Jordan Hulls, Indiana; Matt Gatens, Iowa; Austin Thornton, Michigan State; Ralph Sampson III, Minnesota; Brandon Richardson, Nebraska; Nick Fruendt, Northwestern; Aaron Craft, Ohio State; Billy Oliver, Penn State; Robbie Hummel, Purdue; Rob Wilson, Wisconsin
Player of Year (coaches and media): Draymond Green, Michigan State
Freshman of Year: Trey Burke, Michigan (media); Cody Zeller, Indiana (coaches)
Coach of the Year (coaches and media): Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Defensive Player of the Year (only coaches vote): Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Sixth man of the Year (only coaches vote): D.J. Byrd, Purdue
All-Big Ten First team (Coaches): Draymond Green, Michigan State; John Shurna, Northwestern; Jared Sullinger, Ohio State; Robbie Hummel, Purdue; Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin.
All-Big Ten First team (Media): Green; Shurna; Sullinger; Hummel; Tim Frazier, Penn State
All-Big Ten Second team (Coaches): Cody Zeller, Indiana; Trey Burke, Michigan; William Buford, Ohio State; Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State; Frazier
All-Big Ten Second team (media): Zeller, Burke, Buford, Taylor; Matt Gatens, Iowa
All-Big Ten Third team (coaches): Brandon Paul, Illinois; Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan; Keith Appling, Michigan State; Drew Crawford, Northwestern; Gatens
All-Big Ten Third team (media): Hardaway Jr.; Appling; Crawford; Deshaun Thomas; Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Honorable Mention (coaches): Meyers Leonard, Illinois; Christian Watford, Indiana; Craft; Lewis Jackson, Purdue; Jared Berggren, Wisconsin; Ryan Evans, Wisconsin
Honorable Mention (media): Leonard; Paul; Jordan Hulls, Indiana; Victor Oladipo, Indiana; Watford; Aaron White, Iowa; Zack Novak, Michigan; Branden Dawson, Michigan State; D.J. Byrd, Purdue; Lewis Jackson, Purdue; Berggren; Evans.
All-Freshman Team (coaches only): Cody Zeller, Indiana; Trey Burke, Michigan; Aaron White, Iowa; Branden Dawson, Michigan State; Dave Sobolewski, Northwestern
All-Defensive Team (coaches only): Victor Oladipo, Indiana; Draymond Green, Michigan State; Aaron Craft, Ohio State; Tim Frazier, Penn State; Josh Gasser, Wisconsin
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award: Stu Douglass, Michigan; Sam Maniscalco, Illinois; Jordan Hulls, Indiana; Matt Gatens, Iowa; Austin Thornton, Michigan State; Ralph Sampson III, Minnesota; Brandon Richardson, Nebraska; Nick Fruendt, Northwestern; Aaron Craft, Ohio State; Billy Oliver, Penn State; Robbie Hummel, Purdue; Rob Wilson, Wisconsin
Michigan's Molk blasts Konz, Brewster
February, 29, 2012
Feb 29
12:00
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
Michigan's David Molk believes he is the best center in the NFL draft, and he's not afraid to say it.
In an interview with AnnArbor.com, the Rimington Trophy winner says it's "pretty stupid" to think any other center should be drafted ahead of him, including Wisconsin's Peter Konz and Ohio State's Mike Brewster.
MolkMolk had an impressive showing at the NFL combine, doing 41 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press. That was the second-best performance of all players at the event.
Konz, who some have projected as a first-round pick, did only 18 reps. That's one reason Molk says he is better.
Molk also said that he was angry that Konz was named an AFCA first-team All-American after the season. Molk was a first-team All-America selection by the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America and other organizations.
Molk also doesn't believe that Ohio State's Brewster, a four-year starter and 2010 All-American, should be drafted higher than him.
Brewster fired back on Twitter this morning, saying "If they are talking, then you are doing something right," then adding, "And Molk, keep my name out of your mouth...."
It looks like some Big Ten rivalries will continue into the NFL.
In an interview with AnnArbor.com, the Rimington Trophy winner says it's "pretty stupid" to think any other center should be drafted ahead of him, including Wisconsin's Peter Konz and Ohio State's Mike Brewster.
Konz, who some have projected as a first-round pick, did only 18 reps. That's one reason Molk says he is better.
"I have skills he doesn’t have. Obviously, my strength is far better, I’m faster, I would say I’m smarter. Obviously, he’s an intelligent person, I’ve talked to him, but I just think I have a technique that’s unmatched [by him]."
Molk also said that he was angry that Konz was named an AFCA first-team All-American after the season. Molk was a first-team All-America selection by the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America and other organizations.
"Well, maybe [the coaches] should have checked in to who was All-Big Ten and the lineman of the year in the ... Big Ten before they did some stupid [stuff] like that," he said.
Molk also doesn't believe that Ohio State's Brewster, a four-year starter and 2010 All-American, should be drafted higher than him.
"He is nowhere near me as a player," he said of Brewster.
Brewster fired back on Twitter this morning, saying "If they are talking, then you are doing something right," then adding, "And Molk, keep my name out of your mouth...."
It looks like some Big Ten rivalries will continue into the NFL.
ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y. native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom Van Haaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.
Bob McClellan
Bob McClellan joined ESPN.com in 2011 after more than 20 years as a sports editor and sports writer at Rivals.com, The (Nashville) Tennessean and The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. He is a Northwestern University graduate. He resides in Franklin, Tenn. Email him at robert.x.mcclellan.-nd@espn.com.