After six straight losses, Michigan basketball coach Tommy Amaker thought it was time for a fresh start for his team. With a 83-57 win over Bowling Green last night, the Wolverines are 1-0 in their new season.
This week in practice, Amaker emphasized that the Wolverines were beginning a new season. He wanted to put the previous six losses out of his team’s mind and have them focus on the game at hand.
“We came into tonight’s game with the attitude that we were 0-0,” Amaker said. “And we wanted our kids to feel, the last couple of days in practice, that we were not bringing all the baggage with us.”
Daniel Horton led Michigan in the first half with 24 points, including 12 from behind the arc. Horton’s final three of the half came with 1:22 left, as the freshman pulled the trigger from the corner, which sent the crowd to its feet.
Michigan’s two leading scorers took control in the second half, as LaVell Blanchard and Bernard Robinson scored 36 of the team’s 40 points after the break – each with 18. The two attributed the success to looking for the extra pass, something the team has worked on in practice all week. But whether or not it was the extra pass, or improved shooting – Michigan shot 50 percent for the game – the two are feeling relieved after the win.
“It feels real good, it feels like we’ve got the monkey off our back,” Robinson said.
The Wolverines hope to continue to improve so that their “new” season can be a success.
“Everyone knows the Cinderella stories …you get a big win and then you can win 10 or 15 in a row after that,” Michigan forward Chuck Bailey said. “We’re going to be a good team, I guarantee it.”