Feb. 21
I can't salute the Michigan basketball team enough. The Wolverines started the season 0-6. They could have folded up and quit, but they didn't.

Michigan has bounced back from a poor start and played with pride. Their win at Purdue earlier in the week was something special.

Not only were Gene Keady's Boilermakers 13-0 going into the game, Purdue usually plays at another level at Mackey Arena. Yet the Wolverines were not intimidated and came prepared to play.

Michigan was led by a diaper dandy who has not received much national ink, Daniel Horton (31 points).

Tommy Amaker's stock is going up, up and up. The Wolverines knew there was no NCAA or NIT bid possible for this season. This shows the character of these kids, leading the Big Ten.

It's a shame that they won't be in the NCAA or NIT because of the actions of players from years ago. They're the ones who should have been penalized, not Amaker and his team. We've gone over this time and time again and the system is simply unfair.

On the other side, UCLA has been a major disappointment. Yes, the Bruins got a win over California on Thursday, and that may help keep Steve Lavin's team from getting the trifecta -- no NCAA, no NIT and no Pac-10 tournament berth(and that event is in L.A. at the Staples Center).

How embarrassing and humiliating would it be if UCLA missed out on the Pac-10 tourney? The Bruins are on that bubble right now.

I remember when UCLA lost to Michigan at Pauley Pavilion earlier this season. It's amazing to see what has transpired since then.