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Date Title Body
Season ticket renewal rate <…

Season ticket renewal rate < 50%.

As always, excellent…

As always, excellent commentary.

Besides the tests mentioned…

Besides the tests mentioned by others, an echocardiogram is prudent.  Combined with a nuclear stress test and a heart CT looking at calcium.

Issue with PT & Jace staff…

Issue with PT & Jace staff triggered confrontation.   Will be interesting to see how this plays out.  Will PT staff be comfortable dealing with player availability & health?  

Need to find suitable…

Need to find suitable candidates to run against current Regents.

One of my sons is a jiu…

One of my sons is a jiu jitsu black belt.  When I discuss the sport with him, he always stresses the requirement to react and counter the opponent’s aggressive moves frequently based on using strength.  UM basically used jiu jitsu on PSU.  Turned aggression into a severe weakness.  Masterful.

Wow. Same judge who was…

Wow. Same judge who was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court on related case.

Enormous potential consequences 

 

Have had the same issue on…

Have had the same issue on iPhone & iPad.

my solution- use google search. Type mgoblog, click, & immediate access

Have had the same issue on…

Have had the same issue on iPhone & iPad.

my solution- use google search. Type mgoblog, click, & immediate access

Interesting contrast to DJ…

Interesting contrast to DJ Turner’s journey.  He also had leg muscle issues dating from high school.  Working with the strength and conditioning staff, the condition improves to the point he has fastest time at the NFL combine and becomes a 2nd round draft pick.  Also, the jury is still out on Erick All’s surgical procedure and his long term prognosis.  

I can’t imagine how NW…

I can’t imagine how NW handles the Big Ten media days in less than 3 weeks.  No way University Trustees and President are not involved.  So long as Fitz is coach this story will ripen badly.  School newspaper will be relentless.

LOL

LOL

Yesterday I listened to the…

Yesterday I listened to the replay of Naurato’s presser prior to departing for Tampa.  Very impressed. Of particular note was his discussion of changing the sticks of two players in-season resulting in better performance.  My take away - he’s the real deal.  Should also mention his commitment to the emotional health of each player.

Don’t know how much Emanuel knew about these attributes, but deciding to have a relatively clean break from the recent past, while maintaining an understanding of UM’s differences from other universities, makes sense to me.

Also listened to the interview with Bacon today.  My take - Bacon sounded 20 years older than Naurato, does not know him, and would have preferred someone his age.  Brought up Babcock as someone who would have been interested.

Last takeaway.  Naurato and Bacon are not going to be buddies.

The team deserved to know…

The team deserved to know. We want to keep as many 1st & 2nd year players as possible.

Alex,

Excellent analysis. 

Alex,

Excellent analysis. 

Glad UM has 10 days to…

Glad UM has 10 days to prepare for Quinnipiac.

This team’s heart &…

This team’s heart & composure is amazing. Losing in 3rd period @ Minnesota- victory. Losing in 3rd period in a virtual away game - victory.

the discipline- one minor penalty.

Lastly, Portello was simply magnificent.

Virginia Beach is the…

Virginia Beach is the largest city in VA.  Along with Norfolk, form the Tidewater region.  Very good high school athletics.  UVA & VaTech heavily recruit the region.  

Also, the last 2 games…

Also, the last 2 games featured an excellent & consistent forecheck.  The four lines are set along with the three defensive pairings.  

I challenge the doubters to…

I challenge the doubters to name another coach who would have accomplished more than Naurato did this year.

UM’s discipline was…

UM’s discipline was outstanding.  The two penalties were bad calls, especially #2. On the 1st, the OSU player lost an edge before Hughes touched him.  The announces reaction to #2 said it all. They used the word “phantom”.  The OSU player belongs on a soccer pitch. Total dive.

Attended both games. Ref #…

Attended both games. Ref # 27 aka “blondie” is atrocious.

Never play an outdoor game…

Never play an outdoor game again.  Ice was terrible even before 2nd period stoppage.  Played right into OSU’s favor - older, bigger team with average speed & average skill.  A team based on speed & talent lost its advantage. The puck was jumping around the whole game.

My thought is injury risk. …

My thought is injury risk.  UM has won 2 straight v OSU with a healthy QB.  Lost several without - always remember O’Korn game. Would like to see JJ run 6-8X / game, especially when it matters.  Remember Super Bowl QB’s suffered late season injuries. In summary, mobility has become imperative at QB, but has to be managed given injury risk.

Enjoyed

do it again 

Enjoyed

do it again 

Fascinating article.  Having…

Fascinating article.  Having played soccer and lacrosse, so many concepts carry over to hockey.  Naruto is taking the transferability to a different level.

Thorough & accurate analysis…

Thorough & accurate analysis.  Now, can Howard turn around the situation for ‘23 / ‘24?  How does the news regarding Manuel impact any of this?

Manual got crushed.
I wonder…

Manual got crushed.
I wonder if his handling of the Mel Pierson situation cost him with the University’s Regents.
No way Regents want repeat of 2007 debacle.
President just stepped in & got it done.
Klack today said college football is changing fast.
Will be easy to fall behind.
Harbaugh is competitor & wanted necessary changes.
Remember he went through a shit show in SF.
Yes NFL, but same issue with people calling shots.
What Harbaugh got was control.
If I’m right, NFL flirtation is over.
Not sure buyout matters.

Exactly my thought

Exactly my thought

Totally disagree with your …

Totally disagree with your “tunnel” analysis.  This was McSorley circa 2022.  Crimes were committed.  Tom Mars will handle the civil side.  The county DA most likely will handle the criminal side.  If the future lives of certain MSU players are destroyed, so be it.

He made interesting comment…

He made interesting comment in post game press conference.  Yesterday was the first time he felt his arm was back to 100%.  Said he needs to adjust long ball timing to his renewed arm strength. Was at the game, and each overthrow was about 2-3 yards too long.  

Confused: How did Pierson…

Confused: How did Pierson last so long as Berenson’s assistant?  How was his tenure as a head coach elsewhere?  If he is the person now being portrayed as awful, how could he successfully recruit?  Why would the Hughes family send a second son to UM?  Did players resent younger & better talent being recruited?

Question:
Did Pruitt simply…

Question:
Did Pruitt simply follow the playbook used by his mentors; or
Amplify the playbook; or
Develop the playbook on his own?

The next couple of years are…

The next couple of years are going to be very interesting for all college athletics.  Envy and jealousy among teammates caused by NIL “deals” seems to me to be inevitable.  Secondly, will an 18 or 19 year old work as hard on improving with a substantial NIL deal. Some very intriguing psychological impacts.  Completely new landscape for coaches.

Agree completely 

Agree completely 

Agree completely 

Agree completely 

We come from upstate NY to…

We come from upstate NY to see football games & hopefully early season hockey.  Have started a tradition of coming over in January for a hockey weekend.  Two years ago it was Wisconsin. This year it was UMass.  Early this season saw the Western Michigan loss at home.  Basically, Western took it to UM physically.  Against a very physical UMass team, UM looked entirely different.  Much tougher and more aggressive.  One player stood out to me this weekend - #94 Mark Estapa.  Any defenseman better keep his head up with Estapa on the ice.  He contributes to wearing out d men for the incredible 1st line.

Yes indeed.  Already have my…

Yes indeed.  Already have my UMass tickets & MSU b ball tickets for early January.  

Attended the game.  As many…

Attended the game.  As many others who did attend in person have said, the commercial breaks were brutal.  Watching on TV must have been just as bad.  I’m going to try a new approach this Saturday.  At noon, turn off my phone.  Record the game.  Start watching the tape at 1:30.  Fast forward through commercials and half time.  Should be finished watching tape just as the game ends around 3:30.  Reactions?

Attended the game.  This…

Attended the game.  This analysis is spot on.  I would add WM played a very physical brand of hockey.  Combined with a very disciplined scheme, UM was put on its heels all night.

No stream.  Big 10 is simply…

No stream.  Big 10 is simply an embarrassment.

Beecher did not play in the…

Beecher did not play in the exhibition game.  Reason?

As always, an excellent…

As always, an excellent overview and analysis.

Sunday, I watched tape of 2nd half.  

Defense

Too soft on the out passes as you noted.  Constantly conceding 7-8 yards on 1st down

With Ross out, inexperience at ILB & OLB/DE except for Hutchinson > led to misplays on QB read options.

Had forgotten stupid roughing the passer penalty on the RU drive which resulted in a TD. Some have suggested this was a make up call.  Young player showing inexperience.

Besides the RU missed FG, RU committed costly 5 yard procedure penalty inside the 10 leading to made FG, but not a TD.  5 yard penalties matter.

Offense

5 drives

#1

After excellent punt return giving UM good field position, 1st down run for 3

Then Vastardis committed a stupid procedure penalty changing down to  2nd & 12.  To repeat, 5 yard penalties matter.

Consequently, RU able to risk safety blitz blowing up a pass play.  Not McNamara’s fault.

#2

1st play - nice 8 yard pass.  McNamara looked just fine. Good play call on 1st down.

Unfortunately, what followed were 2 up the gut run plays and no first down.  Your criticism of not testing the edges applies here.  To repeat, not McNamara’s fault.

#3

1st play - pass to Sanristil who failed to catch. Not McNamara’s fault

2nd play - bad pass to All.  This is on McNamara.

3rd play - total blitz & McNamara forced to run.

#4

1st play - crappy run

2nd play - 5 yard run

3rd play - underthrown pass

I was becoming very woried

#5

1st play - Corum ran off tackle.  Hallelujah!

2nd play - another good run by Corum.  1st down

McNamara calmly burning clock.

New 1st down.  Another good Corum run.

2nd down - Corum faced mask putting UM in FG territory.

Forced RU to use last timeout

Missed FG.

Over the past several years, UM has not been able to run the ball late in the game to preserve a victory.  At Iowa years ago comes to mind.  Drive #5 did this.  Unfortunate near miss on FG.

Did not find McNamara to be the critical issue with 2nd half performance.  Play calling for runs and underwhelming OL performance troubles me far more.

 

 

Question for a future post:

Question for a future post:

How will NIL rules impact not just college hockey, but the CHL?

I did listen to the podcast…

I did listen to the podcast yesterday before it was removed.  I have not read the report.  One important point was made by Craig Ross.  Anderson was terminated by the UM health service, and was then assigned to the Athletic Department.  I earned degree in hospital administration from UM in the early 70’s and spent my career involved with hospital operations.  I am not clinically trained, but trained in the business side of healthcare.  From the very early days of my career, I learned two lessons.  Physicians resent non-physicians questioning their abilities and behavior.  Second, physicians protected their own.  I experienced this issue first hand when I was personally sued for suspending privileges of a surgeon following a patient’s death.  Again, I have not read the report, and this is sports related blog.  However, a fundamental question needs to be asked of UM’s medical establishment.  Why was Anderson not banned from UM and reported to the Michigan state board of medical licensure for termination of his right to practice?  To expect non clinicians to be the watch dog and disciplinary party associated with Anderson is just wrong.  Tragically, this same protection of physician attitude concealed Nasser for years at MSU.  

Just watched McCaffery post…

Just watched McCaffery post game press conference.  By far the worst sportsmanship of any head coach this year.  Rude to reporters, no praise for UM, & lasted less than 4 minutes.

Watched the game. Dosunmu…

Watched the game. Dosunmu only goes to his right.  Cockburn never passes when doubled.  Illinois is beatable.

Did Beecher play?  Lines…

Did Beecher play?  Lines seemed jumbled all night.  Also, the streaming quality was awful.  One camera which rarely knew where the puck was.

Watched the entire 2 hour…

Watched the entire 2 hour BTN signing day show.  The UM segment was like no other.  One, no Harbaugh interview, from either the December signing day or this week's.  Two, not much discussion of the class overall.  Replayed December interviews with McCarthy and Edwards.  Three, very little overall analysis or time spent on the 2nd best ranking in the Big Ten & 10th best in the country.  DiNardo's comment was fascinating as was the other participants reactions.  I read it that he's amazed UM did well this year, and had to come up with some explanation.

Quarantining a healthy…

Quarantining a healthy person = house arrest of an innocent person