February 1, 2013 - 11:20am
This Week in Tweets: 'We're No. 1'
BY STEPHEN J. NESBITT
- Illustration by Todd Needle/Daily
It was a special week for Michigan athletics. So let’s recap by looking through the photos and feeds of the social networks.
BACK ON TOP
The Michigan basketball team (19-1) hit No. 1 in the AP poll this week for the first time since Nov. 30, 1992, when the team boasted a starting ‘Fab Five’ consisting of Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson.
The Wolverines had no problem dispatching Northwestern, 68-46, their first opponent as No. 1. And it was the first time Crisler Center hosted a No. 1 Michigan team in 36 years, a month and 10 days.
Let’s start with a fan-favorite follow on Twitter. (Shameless!)
#Michigan’s last home game as the No. 1 team in the country came on Dec. 21, 1976, a 104-63 victory over Central Michigan.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) January 30, 2013
Michigan is still unbeaten at home when ranked No. 1 — now 14-0 all-time, winning by an average of 24.8 points.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) January 31, 2013
This is also the first time that the Wolverines have hit the 20 win mark in January. Previous best 20th win was February 6, 1986.
— Michigan Basketball (@umichbball) January 31, 2013
Michigan is 4th D-I team this season to commit 2 turnovers (best in nation); surprisingly, Wolverines are only 1 to beat D-I opponent.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 31, 2013
Meanwhile, sophomore guard Trey Burke is averaging 17.9 points and 7.1 assists per game. He is on pace to match Magic Johnson’s mark as the only Big Ten player to average 17 points and 7 assists in a full season.
And he’s finally getting some recognition from the likes of Zack Novak, Michigan’s captain last season.
Trey Burke is good at basketball.
— Zack Novak (@novak3159) January 30, 2013
Trey Burke is only player in Big Ten to score 15+ pts in every conference game so far this season.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 31, 2013
With redshirt junior forward Jordan Morgan sidelined with a sprained right ankle, redshirt sophomore forward Jon Horford earned his second career start against the Wildcats on Wednesday. Horford finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while his older brother, Al Horford, had 22 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in the Atlanta Hawks’ 93-92 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Not a bad night for the family. And Josh Horford, the duo’s younger brother, posted a pretty impressive video earlier in the day that Jon sent him.
Well Jon just sent me the video of him doing a 360 windmill dunk. 0_____0 #ImABeliever
— Earl Horford™ (@josh_horford) January 30, 2013
This is here to do little more than introduce the new ‘Vine’ application, coming to an App Store near you, but Crisler Center has been pretty wild this season. It’s fun to see.
Great dance moves @ummaizerage #GoBlue #Sports #WEON vine.co/v/bJ3vb2t3O0x
— Michigan Basketball (@umichbball) January 31, 2013
Daily photo editor Adam Glanzman, with the help of a few friends, put together a handful of posters of the No. 1 team in America. See the rest here.
Next Adidas advertisement? @grob_1 @marissamcclain #GoBlue twitter.com/glanzpiece/sta…
— Adam Glanzman (@glanzpiece) January 30, 2013
WE ON @nstauskas11 @marissamcclain twitter.com/glanzpiece/sta…
— Adam Glanzman (@glanzpiece) January 30, 2013
Michigan assistant coach Bacari Alexander is a Twitter machine, known for his blitzes and cliché catchphrases. This tweet, though, is a delicious little typo.
Time heals all wombs. #justsayin
— Bacari Alexander (@bacari34) January 29, 2013
GREEN GOES BLUE
Last Saturday, the Michigan football team earned the commitment of Derrick Green, the most sought-after running back recruit in the nation. Shane Morris, a quarterback commit, was pretty pleased.
Lets go!! We just got the #1 running back in the nation @brookyln_boii27 (Derrick Green)!! Congrats bro!!! Welcome to the family!!! #GoBlue!
— Suga Shane (@S_Morris12) January 26, 2013
As was Michigan coach Brady Hoke.
Top RB recruit Derrick Green commits to Michigan - cbsprt.co/VCLF9Y He says the news made Brady Hoke cry
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) January 26, 2013
But maybe things were overblown.
Commit Q&A w/ Derrick Green, who told me Monday Brady Hoke didn’t cry on his phone call, was just emotional: es.pn/TXjqpB
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) January 30, 2013
Morris’s excitement got him into a little bit of trouble with running back Wyatt Shallman, who bristled at a particular omission in a Morris tweet in the aftermath of Green's commitment.
We have two GREAT running backs coming in next year with @brookyln_boii27 and @i_bsmith4!!! #GoBlue!!! #Team134
— Suga Shane (@S_Morris12) January 26, 2013
Hahahaha and the #1 #Fullback/#Runningback/ #AvidCatLover/ #Wizard/#MrEverything in the nation @wyattshallman! #Hybrid twitter.com/S_Morris12/sta…
— Suga Shane (@S_Morris12) January 26, 2013
But not everyone was as happy as Hoke and the kids. There's always going to be someone who goes straight for the knees.
@brookyln_boii27 you're a bum. I hope you tear your acl and damage all the nerves in your spinal cord and can never walk again #GoGreen
— Anthony Yasso (@anthony_yasso) January 27, 2013
DENARD IN THE SENIOR BOWL
In the same hour Green committed, Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson strapped on the winged helmet for the Senior Bowl — his last appearance representing Michigan. Robinson finished with one rush for -3 yards and two catches for 22 yards on just two targets.
Miss seeing Denard Robinson (@denardx) in the Senior Bowl? Check out this clip of all his touches during the game: youtube.com/watch?v=4QRNdt…
— UofM Sports Updates (@UofM_Updates) January 29, 2013
The week in Mobile, Ala. wasn't a complete failure, but plenty of NFL scouts voiced their concerns about Robinson's future — which likely sees him at wide receiver — at the next level. But, of course, Robinson was certainly the center of attention.
How popular is Denard Robinson? He's signing autographs ... for Ohio State fans. twitter.com/kmeinke/status…
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) January 22, 2013
Denard Robinson @seniorbowl uni #uniswag twitter.com/Uniformswag/st…
— Uni Swag (@Uniformswag) January 20, 2013
Even former West Virginia quarterback Pat White, whom Robinson surpassed in the Outback Bowl for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in NCAA history, took time to snap a photo with Robinson.
Can't forget about the money manager @rgriffinnfl @denardx twitter.com/P5White/status…
— Pat White (@P5White) January 23, 2013
The fan opinions on Robinson's role and performance varied mightily. Not everyone was so pleased to see Robinson out on the field — at least not lining up as a wide receiver.
Denard Robinson is playing wide receiver at the Senior Bowl. I feel sad.
— Tim Bayer (@tj_bayer) January 26, 2013
Denard Robinson played WR in the senior bowl #racism
— Calvin B. (@MYU_81) January 27, 2013
One person couldn't have been more pleased.
Denard Robinson just liked my picture on Instagram?! :D
— Miranda Kush (@mjkush12) January 24, 2013
And then everyone had a say in what Robinson will do in the NFL.
He'll be a ... holder.
I feel like Denard Robinson is going to be the NFL field goal ball holder so they can fake it and throw the ball.
— Colin Green (@ConsrvatveColin) January 30, 2013
He'll be a ... Super Bowl champion.
Bold claim of the day: Denard Robinsonwill be a Super Bowl champ
— Spencer Miller (@themiller13) January 30, 2013
He'll be a ... quarterback.
Imagine Denard Robinson running chip Kelly's offense.... Hmmmmm
— Vince(@vro325) January 30, 2013
They need to let Denard Robinson just play QB in the league , -_-
— FINAO▂ ▃ ▅ ▆ █ (@MMXX___) January 27, 2013
Someone is going to draft Denard Robinson and keep him at QB in hopes that he can run the pistol in a few years.
— Jon Morton (@Jon_Morton15) January 27, 2013
Or he'll be ... undrafted.
I sincerely hope that Denard Robinson doesn't get drafted
— David Brtka (@MistMachine) January 27, 2013
We'll leave it at that. Check in next Thursday for our second edition. And also make sure head over to this week's edition of 'This Week in the Twitterverse' from our friends at MGoBlog.
Oh, and about that No. 1 basketball ranking?
Really cool to see Michigan ranked #1 in something that isn't obesity.
— Phil Coke's Brain (@PhilCokesBrain) January 28, 2013
— Nesbitt can be reached at stnesbit@umich.edu or on Twitter: @stephenjnesbitt.
