Jalen Rose Praises Caitlin Clark's Impact on Basketball, Shares Insights on Health and Team Dynamics Jalen Rose, the former Indiana Pacers star and Michigan Wolverines legend, took to the stage in Indianapolis during the Final Four to moderate a panel discussion featuring Caitlin Clark, the star guard of the Indiana Fever, and Darryn Peterson, a rising NBA prospect. The event, hosted by the Lilly Foundation, focused on the importance of prioritizing athlete health, a theme that resonated deeply with Rose, who emphasized the sacrifices and discipline required to excel in sports. Rose, who played for the Pacers from 1996 to 2002, reflected on his own journey and the support he received from Indiana fans, a group he described as uniquely welcoming despite his roots in Michigan. During the panel, Rose highlighted Clark’s transformative influence on college basketball and the WNBA, calling her a “great ambassador” for the sport. He praised her professionalism, discipline, and ability to overcome challenges such as injuries and criticism. Rose noted that Clark’s impact extended beyond her on-court performance, as she redefined the standards of excellence in women’s basketball. “How you’ve changed the game not only collegiately but professionally, and how disciplined you are, how professional you are, how well you respect your teammates, how you’re all about winning— that’s to be admired,” he said. Clark, reflecting on her time with the Indiana Fever, shared how the team’s fan base has evolved since her arrival. She recalled the early days of the franchise, when the team struggled to attract large crowds, and contrasted that with the current enthusiasm for the Fever.#dusty_may #caitlin_clark #jalen_rose #indiana_fever #lilly_foundation
Sweet Sixteen Game Thread: Tide vs Michigan The underdog fourth-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide are set to face the top-seeded Michigan Wolverines in a Sweet Sixteen matchup. Coach Dusty May’s team, which boasts one of the most financially supported rosters in the nation, will need to overcome a formidable opponent. Michigan’s squad is considered just as strong as the UConn and Duke teams that previously ended Alabama’s NCAA Tournament runs. The Crimson Tide will have to rely on their full potential to defeat the Wolverines and secure a spot in the program’s third consecutive Elite Eight.#alabama_crimson_tide #ncaa_tournament #dusty_may #michigan_wolverines #sweet_sixteen
Michigan Faces Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals The Michigan men’s basketball team, which secured the outright Big Ten regular-season title, will aim for a second conference championship in the same tournament. The Wolverines, ranked No. 1 in the standings with a 29-2 record, will face No. 8 seed Ohio State (21-11) in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. The matchup is set for noon Friday at the United Center in Chicago and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. This will be the third meeting between the rivals this season. Michigan has already defeated Ohio State twice during the regular season, with victories at home in Ann Arbor and on the road in Columbus. The Wolverines triumphed 74-62 on Jan. 23 and 82-61 on Feb. 8. The team also claimed the Big Ten tournament title last year under first-year coach Dusty May, defeating Purdue, Maryland, and Wisconsin in consecutive rounds. The Big Ten tournament is being held at the United Center in Chicago throughout the week. The quarterfinal matchup between Michigan and Ohio State will determine which team advances to the semifinals on Saturday. The game will be televised on BTN and available on 94.7 FM radio. Both teams have distinct records, with Michigan boasting a 29-2 overall mark and Ohio State at 21-11. The tournament bracket features multiple matchups, with the quarterfinals serving as a critical step toward the championship. Michigan’s path to the title includes overcoming Ohio State, while the Wolverines’ focus remains on securing another conference championship. The game’s outcome will have significant implications for both programs as they vie for dominance in the Big Ten.#big_ten_tournament #dusty_may #united_center #michigan_men_s_basketball #ohio_state
Oregon State Hires Justin Joyner as New Head Coach Oregon State University has announced the hiring of Justin Joyner as its next head men’s basketball coach, according to sources cited by ESPN. Joyner, who previously served as an assistant under Dusty May at the University of Michigan, will take over the program following the departure of Wayne Tinkle. Joyner joined the Michigan coaching staff in 2022 after spending seven seasons at Saint Mary’s University, where he worked under head coach Randy Bennett. During his tenure in Moraga, California, the Gaels compiled a 171-60 record and made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. At Michigan, Joyner contributed to the Wolverines’ transformation into a national championship contender. The team improved from an 8-24 record in the 2021-22 season to a 27-10 mark in 2022-23, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16. A native of California, Joyner played college basketball at UC Santa Barbara before entering coaching. His appointment marks the end of Tinkle’s 12-year tenure at Oregon State, during which the Beavers made two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2021. Tinkle’s departure follows a period of transition for the program, as Oregon State has competed in the West Coast Conference since the collapse of the old Pac-12. Looking ahead, Oregon State will return to a full Pac-12 schedule in 2024. The Beavers will join a restructured league that includes Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State, and Washington State. This shift signals a renewed focus on conference competition for the program.#dusty_may #oregon_state_university #justin_joyner #university_of_michigan #st_mary_s_university
Michigan State vs. Michigan: Game Preview, Prediction, and Key Matchup Analysis Michigan State and Michigan will face off in a highly anticipated matchup at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, March 7, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The game, which carries significant implications for both teams’ NCAA tournament seeding, pits the No. 8-ranked Spartans against the No. 3 Wolverines. Michigan State enters the contest with a 25-5 overall record and a 15-4 mark in the Big Ten, while Michigan boasts a 28-2 record and a 18-1 conference slate. The Wolverines, who have already secured the Big Ten title, are favored at -10.5 points on the betting line. Tom Izzo’s Michigan State squad, now in his 31st season as head coach, looks to build on a recent close victory over Rutgers, which kept them in the running for a No. 2 or 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Spartans’ performance against Michigan will be crucial for their tournament positioning, as will the outcome of Nebraska’s final game against Iowa. A Spartans win or a Nebraska loss could secure them a No. 2 seed in the Big Ten tournament. Michigan, meanwhile, remains undefeated on the road this season after a narrow 71-68 win over Iowa, a feat not seen in the Big Ten since 1974. The Wolverines, led by head coach Dusty May, are ranked No. 2 in the NET and Kenpom rankings, with a top-tier defense and a strong offense. However, they face a challenge with the loss of sophomore guard L.J. Cason to a torn ACL, a key contributor off the bench. Despite this, Michigan’s depth and resilience have been evident throughout the season. The matchup features two standout players: Jeremy Fears Jr. for Michigan State and Yaxel Lendeborg for Michigan.#michigan #tom_izzo #michigan_state #crisler_center #dusty_may
