There have been many surprises in the Big Ten already this season. Iowa, Purdue and Michigan were the last three unbeaten teams (with only Michigan still left). Michigan State has looked lost throughout the season and is no longer the most talented team in their state. More importantly, the standings are completely unpredictable and jumbled from years in the past. But for the Wolverines, their season could not be going much better at this point.
Six weeks ago, the program was in shambles. Six weeks ago the Fab 5 lost its luster. Six weeks ago, the Wolverines were 0-6. Six weeks ago, Michigan became no better than the third best team in their state (after embarrassing losses to Western Michigan and Central Michigan). Six weeks ago, Tommy Amaker refused to back down from a challenge that had in no way been his fault.
And the results have been astonishing. Coming into Big Ten play this week, Amaker's troops remain the only unbeaten team in Big Ten Conference play and are winners of thirteen straight. Since their horrific 0-6 start, they have jumped on top of Big Ten competition, taking advantage of a
ever say die"" attitude ... and a favorable schedule.
Nonetheless, the Wolverines have opened eyes regarding a team from Michigan, and for the first moment in some time, the team is not from East Lansing.
""You are seeing a team that believes,"" Michigan Head Coach Tommy Amaker said. ""Right now this is a team that both believes and expects to win. Those are two different things and it is great to see our kids doing both.""
Leading the way for the Wolverines has been senior captain LaVell Blanchard, who has poured in 17.0 points per game (fourth in Big Ten) and 7.1 rebounds per game (fifth). Freshman Daniel Horton (15.9 ppg, 4.4 assists per game) has added a scoring punch to the Wolverine offense and more importantly, has given the Wolverines another option, taking a lot of the pressure off Blanchard.
""He is an outstanding point guard who can stretch the floor with his ability to shoot the ball and score,"" Amaker told Michigan Sports Information. ""So that frees up other players at times to step up and score, especially with LaVell. I think that he has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Daniel's play and arrival. One of the neat things of watching Daniel and LaVell is when LaVell gets on his streak, Daniel has found him in a variety of ways in that short span of moments when LaVell was hitting his shots.""
All that is certain is that if Blanchard and Horton can continue to produce the way they have, Michigan will be back on the national radar.
