Michigan had set its sights on a bigger game ? in the NCAA Tournament. But after the Wolverines? initial disappointment, they are determined to make the most of their NIT experience.
The NIT could be a springboard for a young Michigan team, just as it was in 1984, when U-M won the NIT championship. The next two years, the Wolverines won the Big Ten title under coach Bill Frieder. That was the last time they won the conference.
Now, Michigan Coach Tommy Amaker hopes the NIT can produce the same results.
Fresh off a 65-64 victory over Missouri, U-M (19-11) faces its second straight Big 12 team when it plays host to Oklahoma (20-10) at 9 o?clock tonight in a second-round game of the 40-team NIT.
?I think this experience in the NIT will be very beneficial for us in the future,? Amaker said. ?We?re on the right track.
?We got a big-name opponent in Missouri, and now we?re getting another in Oklahoma. We really competed against Missouri. Being really competitive is going to be the theme for us as we move on to our second-round game.?
What made the Wolverines? victory over Missouri even more impressive was that they did it without sophomore Lester Abram, their leading scorer and best outside shooter.
Amaker said Abram is doubtful for tonight?s game. That means Michigan needs another big game out of sophomore guard Daniel Horton.
Against Missouri, Horton looked like the player voted Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season. Horton tied a season high with 20 points and, as he did last season, he made clutch baskets in the last few minutes. His driving shot with 19.6 seconds left gave Michigan a 65-62 lead.
Horton has shot 8-of-15 from three-point range the last two games, but, more important, he is driving to the basket instead of settling for long-range jump shots.
Besides Horton, Michigan got solid contributions against Missouri from senior Bernard Robinson Jr., sophomore Chris Hunter, and freshmen Courtney Sims and Dion Harris.
The NIT could be a springboard for a young Michigan team, just as it was in 1984, when U-M won the NIT championship. The next two years, the Wolverines won the Big Ten title under coach Bill Frieder. That was the last time they won the conference.
Now, Michigan Coach Tommy Amaker hopes the NIT can produce the same results.
Fresh off a 65-64 victory over Missouri, U-M (19-11) faces its second straight Big 12 team when it plays host to Oklahoma (20-10) at 9 o?clock tonight in a second-round game of the 40-team NIT.
?I think this experience in the NIT will be very beneficial for us in the future,? Amaker said. ?We?re on the right track.
?We got a big-name opponent in Missouri, and now we?re getting another in Oklahoma. We really competed against Missouri. Being really competitive is going to be the theme for us as we move on to our second-round game.?
What made the Wolverines? victory over Missouri even more impressive was that they did it without sophomore Lester Abram, their leading scorer and best outside shooter.
Amaker said Abram is doubtful for tonight?s game. That means Michigan needs another big game out of sophomore guard Daniel Horton.
Against Missouri, Horton looked like the player voted Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season. Horton tied a season high with 20 points and, as he did last season, he made clutch baskets in the last few minutes. His driving shot with 19.6 seconds left gave Michigan a 65-62 lead.
Horton has shot 8-of-15 from three-point range the last two games, but, more important, he is driving to the basket instead of settling for long-range jump shots.
Besides Horton, Michigan got solid contributions against Missouri from senior Bernard Robinson Jr., sophomore Chris Hunter, and freshmen Courtney Sims and Dion Harris.
