Michigan Wolverines: Matt Vogrich
Loss Impact is where WolverineNation takes a look at how much the departure of a starter or major contributor will mean to Michigan.
Former guard Zack Novak was Michigan's blue-collar guy from day one it seemed. Google his name and you'll find images of him screaming at his team, or with blood on his face. And yes, that sort of sums him up. He would do anything for the team and ended his career as one of the most memorable Wolverines, despite coming in undersized and underrecruited. The lefty definitely left his mark on Michigan basketball. A recap of that, along with his thoughts on his career can be found here.
But what does his loss really mean for Michigan coach John Beilein and the rest of the Wolverines?
Former guard Zack Novak was Michigan's blue-collar guy from day one it seemed. Google his name and you'll find images of him screaming at his team, or with blood on his face. And yes, that sort of sums him up. He would do anything for the team and ended his career as one of the most memorable Wolverines, despite coming in undersized and underrecruited. The lefty definitely left his mark on Michigan basketball. A recap of that, along with his thoughts on his career can be found here.
But what does his loss really mean for Michigan coach John Beilein and the rest of the Wolverines?
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Just another week around the Michigan program.
However, there are many topics to discuss as the final week before the two big Michigan sports -- football and men's basketball -- officially hit their offseasons.
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- After a season in which the Michigan basketball team won a share of the Big Ten title, the Wolverines' end-of-season banquet entitled a "celebration" seemed just that. It was jovial and lighthearted, jokes were made and shots were taken at teammates.
Even Michigan basketball coach John Beilein got in on the action.
While introducing each class he picked on juniors Matt Vogrich and Blake McLimans, telling the crowd both needed to get a hair cut. Later, he looked over at Vogrich and asked, "Have I really never started you? I must not know what I'm doing."
Even Michigan basketball coach John Beilein got in on the action.
While introducing each class he picked on juniors Matt Vogrich and Blake McLimans, telling the crowd both needed to get a hair cut. Later, he looked over at Vogrich and asked, "Have I really never started you? I must not know what I'm doing."
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Loss Impact is where WolverineNation takes a look at how much the departure of a starter or major contributor will mean to Michigan.
Former Michigan guard Stuart Douglass meandered his way through a four-year career with the Wolverines, ending up playing the most games in school history and with top 20 career marks in numerous statistics. A recap of that, along with his thoughts on his career and his future, can be found here.
But what will his loss mean to Michigan next season?
Former Michigan guard Stuart Douglass meandered his way through a four-year career with the Wolverines, ending up playing the most games in school history and with top 20 career marks in numerous statistics. A recap of that, along with his thoughts on his career and his future, can be found here.
But what will his loss mean to Michigan next season?
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The Michigan basketball roster had a major overhaul Wednesday afternoon when sophomores Evan Smotrycz and Colton Christian along with freshman Carlton Brundidge decided to transfer.
This is a big shift for a program that had been trending upward the past few seasons. It loses a former starter in Smotrycz and someone who was looked at as a likely backup point guard to Trey Burke in Brundidge.
It also leaves Michigan with more holes to fill than it had 24 hours ago. Here's the immediate aftermath:
This is a big shift for a program that had been trending upward the past few seasons. It loses a former starter in Smotrycz and someone who was looked at as a likely backup point guard to Trey Burke in Brundidge.
It also leaves Michigan with more holes to fill than it had 24 hours ago. Here's the immediate aftermath:
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In the weekly roundtable discussion WolverineNation staff writers Tom VanHaaren, Michael Rothstein and Chantel Jennings examine three questions pertaining to Michigan football, basketball and recruiting.
1.) If you're in a touch football game, who's your first pick off this season's Michigan squad?
Tom Van Haaren: Denard Robinson. Who else would I need? He could run and I could eat and watch him score.
1.) If you're in a touch football game, who's your first pick off this season's Michigan squad?
Tom Van Haaren: Denard Robinson. Who else would I need? He could run and I could eat and watch him score.
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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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Question of the week is a weekly feature at WolverineNation where we ask Michigan athletes and coaches all the same questions and publish their best answers each Monday.
This week's question: If you could have any super power, which would it be and why?
MATT VOGRICH, Michigan basketball player: “I would want to be able to fly, because everyone knows I can’t jump that high and it would be really cool to be able to jump really high and fly, basketball-wise. I think that’d be really helpful. Everyone knows I’m not the most athletic person on the team, so that comes to mind. I would also take being a mind reader because I’m always wondering what people are thinking and it’d be cool to know that at all times.”
This week's question: If you could have any super power, which would it be and why?
MATT VOGRICH, Michigan basketball player: “I would want to be able to fly, because everyone knows I can’t jump that high and it would be really cool to be able to jump really high and fly, basketball-wise. I think that’d be really helpful. Everyone knows I’m not the most athletic person on the team, so that comes to mind. I would also take being a mind reader because I’m always wondering what people are thinking and it’d be cool to know that at all times.”
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Quick hits: Beilein, Vogrich, Morgan
February, 29, 2012
Feb 29
5:44
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Michigan basketball coach John Beilein, junior guard Matt Vogrich and redshirt sophomore forward Jordan Morgan met with members of the media on Wednesday to discuss the Wolverines' matchup at Illinois on Thursday. Here are some of the key points they touched on:
BEILEIN:
BEILEIN:
- ON WHETHER HE STILL THOUGHT THEY'D HAVE A SHOT FOR THE TITLE AFTER SATURDAY: "I didn't think much about it," Beilein said. "I didn't analyze who was playing who and when. I just didn't do it. But I was watching [the Michigan State/Indiana] game last night with interest just to see what would happen."
- ON IF THE TEAM HAS A MENTAL BOOST BECAUSE IT CAN STILL WIN THE TITLE: "Absolutely," Beilein said. "I think it's good. If we hadn't talked about it all year long, about what we try to do at the University of Michigan and win championships, it wouldn't be that big of a point as it is right now. … There will hopefully be some bounce in our step."
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Michigan is looking for its first undefeated home season in more than 30 years, and a win over Purdue in the Crisler Center on Saturday would do that. The No. 13 Wolverines are on a four-game win streak (a season best) and look to be making a very strong statement to the selection committees before this final stretch.
But the Wolverines can’t get too far ahead of themselves and must focus on Saturday’s game against the Boilermakers. But if they want to keep this streak alive, here are three keys for them to do that:
1.) Don’t get too emotional. It’s a big day for the Wolverines: their final home game, a chance at a 16-0 record at home, senior night for two captains who have helped turn around the program. They’ve had emotional games in Crisler before (Michigan State, Ohio State), but there is a lot more riding on this one for Michigan. Yes, there are several pressures weighing on this game. But the Wolverines need to do everything in their power to treat this like every other game they’ve played this season in Ann Arbor, whether it be Towson or Minnesota.
But the Wolverines can’t get too far ahead of themselves and must focus on Saturday’s game against the Boilermakers. But if they want to keep this streak alive, here are three keys for them to do that:
1.) Don’t get too emotional. It’s a big day for the Wolverines: their final home game, a chance at a 16-0 record at home, senior night for two captains who have helped turn around the program. They’ve had emotional games in Crisler before (Michigan State, Ohio State), but there is a lot more riding on this one for Michigan. Yes, there are several pressures weighing on this game. But the Wolverines need to do everything in their power to treat this like every other game they’ve played this season in Ann Arbor, whether it be Towson or Minnesota.
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AP Photo/Carlos OsorioThe Wolverines are celebrating more often recently thanks to better outside shooting.1.) Which Michigan football starter from last season has the best chance of being usurped by a rookie this season?
Tom Van Haaren: I'd be surprised if any of the returning starters lost his job outright going into the season. The main competitions will be at the spots where the starter has left the team. If Jake Ryan were to move to defensive end, then his spot at SAM would be open obviously. The returning starters are all solid players that I think will get even better in their second year, so like I said I'd be really surprised to see one of last season's starters who is returning this season to lose his spot outright.
Michael Rothstein: I don't know if there is a starter who will lose his job. There are veterans competing for positions who could get beaten out, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, but no established starter will likely lose his job. If I had to pick one person, though, it would be Thomas Gordon losing his job to Jarrod Wilson, just because Wilson has a chance to be a special player. But other than that, I have a tough time seeing it. A guy such as Kenny Demens might end up sharing some time with a Royce Jenkins-Stone, but he won't be replaced by him.
Chantel Jennings: I think Desmond Morgan could see some serious competition from Joe Bolden. Bolden enrolled early and has the ability to be an All-American linebacker some day. Bolden is a little bit bigger than Morgan and I think his upside in the open field is much better than Morgan’s. If for some reason the coaches decide they want Bolden to play strongside linebacker, I could see the coaches possibly moving Ryan onto the line to fill in for what Michigan lost there.
Quick hits from Beilein's radio show
February, 13, 2012
Feb 13
7:57
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Michigan basketball coach John Beilein just finished his weekly radio show at Pizza House in Ann Arbor, Mich.
As always, here are the highlights in an easy reading bullet form:
As always, here are the highlights in an easy reading bullet form:
3-pointers: No. 25 Michigan 70, Illinois 61
February, 12, 2012
Feb 12
5:02
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- For weeks, Michigan has searched for some reliability -- for a way for someone other than senior captains Zack Novak and Stu Douglass to be consistent for the Wolverines.
And while one game isn’t a true barometer of the rest of the season, No. 25 Michigan had to like what it saw during its 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.
Michigan had balance -- four players were in double-figures for the first time since Jan. 24 against Purdue. Plus, the Wolverines drove the ball more -- the 16 3-point attempts were the fewest since the Wolverines took only 14 against the Boilermakers.
And while one game isn’t a true barometer of the rest of the season, No. 25 Michigan had to like what it saw during its 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.
Michigan had balance -- four players were in double-figures for the first time since Jan. 24 against Purdue. Plus, the Wolverines drove the ball more -- the 16 3-point attempts were the fewest since the Wolverines took only 14 against the Boilermakers.
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Rapid Reaction: No. 25 Michigan 70, Illinois 61
February, 12, 2012
Feb 12
3:16
PM ET
By
Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Some quick thoughts after No. 25 Michigan's 70-61 win over Illinois -- the Wolverines' 15th straight win at home.
How the game was won: By Michigan getting a little bit of help from everyone. The Wolverines had their usual complement of seven scorers in the stat sheet, but more than other games this one felt like it had a little bit of every rotation player helping out in some ways. Sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. regained his shooting stroke in the first half, freshman guard Trey Burke continued his strong play, and role players such as Evan Smotrycz and Matt Vogrich had bigger-than-anticipated performances.
Player of the game: Smotrycz. He didn't have much of an impact in the second half, but Smotrycz, who had been struggling for much of the Big Ten season, had his best half in a while in the first half. He scored 12 of his 13 points in the first half and played with more confidence than he has had in a while. It was only the third time in Big Ten play Smotrycz has scored in double figures.
How the game was won: By Michigan getting a little bit of help from everyone. The Wolverines had their usual complement of seven scorers in the stat sheet, but more than other games this one felt like it had a little bit of every rotation player helping out in some ways. Sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. regained his shooting stroke in the first half, freshman guard Trey Burke continued his strong play, and role players such as Evan Smotrycz and Matt Vogrich had bigger-than-anticipated performances.
Player of the game: Smotrycz. He didn't have much of an impact in the second half, but Smotrycz, who had been struggling for much of the Big Ten season, had his best half in a while in the first half. He scored 12 of his 13 points in the first half and played with more confidence than he has had in a while. It was only the third time in Big Ten play Smotrycz has scored in double figures.
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Quick hits: Beilein, Novak, Burke
February, 10, 2012
Feb 10
8:14
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Michigan basketball coach John Beilein, senior guard Zack Novak and freshman point guard Trey Burke met with the media on Friday to discuss the 25th-ranked Wolverines' matchup with Illinois on Sunday. Here are a few of the main points the trio touched on:
BEILEIN:
BEILEIN:
- ON ILLINOIS' RECENT SLUMP: The Illini are 1-5 in their last six games, with their average margin of defeat at 6 points per game. "I don't think they've been playing poorly,” Beilein said. "They've lost tight games, really tight games. They could've won all those games."
- ON JUNIOR GUARD BRANDON PAUL: The 6-foot-4 junior averages 15 points and ranks third in the Big Ten with 19 points per conference game. Beilein pointed out Paul's rebounding, shooting, but said the most concerning thing is Paul's ability to get to the free-throw line.
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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.