At Monday’s Big Ten meetings, Manuel acknowledged he prepared for this moment since Beilein was in talks with the Detroit Pistons last year. Knowing the coach’s possibility to ascend to the pro ranks despite a virtual lifetime contract signed last summer, a shortlist of candidates has been at the ready.
It’s what Manuel does with this shortlist, and the results which stem from the impending decision, that will define his career at Michigan.
John Beilein will leave Michigan to become the new coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The news has also been confirmed by a Michigan spokesperson, who had no further comment at the time.
After two years on the Michigan men's basketball team, sophomore guard Jordan Poole has decided to forgo his remaining eligibility and remain in the 2019 NBA Draft.
“He was very firm that Michigan should be a premier program,” Novak said, “and we needed to build the foundation to get back to where it should be.”
When a season like this one can be considered disappointing, that’s exactly where Michigan is.
The freshman forward told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony on Tuesday afternoon that he will hire an agent and enter the NBA Draft. And he’ll be followed by Jordan Poole and Charles Matthews. All three intend to sign with agents, per a release from the program.
Haynes, the Wolverines’ go-to players coach, appeared to offer up a few words of support. But Poole, head wrapped in one last March Madness towel and eyes buried in Haynes’ shoulder, had no need for words. His trademark optimism, pervasive to the last possible moment, was gone, replaced by the tears of unfilled expectations.
So if we don’t remember the 2018-19 Wolverines in the same way we remember other great Wolverine teams of recent years, we’ll still remember them. Not as a moment, necessarily, but as a group of the greatest era of Michigan basketball history.
Even without the titles. Even without the single enduring image. Even without NCAA Tournament glory.
This was a damn good Michigan basketball team. It deserves to be remembered that way.
For the 103rd time in a row, the Michigan men’s basketball team’s season ended.
Such is the futility of sports. But, hey, you never know. Maybe the 104th season will never end.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Charles Matthews stood at the line and made the free-throw motion. He buried his head in his shirt for a second. Missed the first free throw. Bent his knees, stayed in that position for an extra beat as his teammates subbed out. Sunk the second free throw.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Amid an eerie silence, bowed heads and tear-filled eyes, one telling phrase rung through the Michigan locker room:
“Bad day to have a bad day.”