Unverified Voracity: Must Play Edition

Despite the reassurances of everyone from sea to shining sea, (we're not even in Lunardi's last four in--hell, we're still a #9 seed) I'm still jumpy about Michigan's NCAA tournament fate. Beating Minnesota seems wise. Lesters Abraham will-could-might-should return from the sprained ankle that's kept him out the past two and a half months, according to the News, but we've been reading that article for about two months now--who knows? Abram was supposed to be medically cleared for the IU game but did not play. The article also claims Hunter is "questionable," but I would be very surprised to see him play.

Of course, the overall voracity of any article is severely damaged when the lede is like so:

NCAA Tournament hopeful Michigan is facing another in a long list of must-win games when it plays Minnesota at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in its Big Ten tournament opener at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Um... okay. It's just that of the past, say, eight "must-wins," Michigan has won two. And they're still in. I believe this is stretching the definition of "must." And, for that matter, "win."

Anyway, lest the Michigan blogosphere be accused of ignoring the basketball team further, I point you to Maize 'n' Brew's latest. Horton compared to Sisyphus! Yow! Also: Sisyphus is on the All Big-Ten team. The media said first team; the coaches said second.

I'm fairly amazed this came from the Daily, but URL don't lie: the most extensive, thoughtful consideration of the Michigan athletic department's academic support structure yet published. No offense intended to any Daily staffers out there (unless you write for the editorial page, in which case: OFFENSE OFFENSE OFFENSE) -- I'd be surprised to see an article of that quality in the News or Free Press. A fascinating look into the academic support-thingy that is all of a sudden very relevant for major athletics departments nationwide.

Etc: Orson interviews professional riot-starter Paul Finebaum; Michigan is scientifically proven to have average-looking coeds... we'll take it! Coach K "knows" ESPN has "orchestrated" the nationwide Duke hatred... no, seriously. He said that. Look, I know you don't believe me. Just click the link.

PS: I don't consider myself a blogger. I consider myself a leader. Just so you know.