Ann Arbor, MI (Sports Network) - The fifth-ranked Michigan Wolverines will try
to finish their run through the North Region of the 2012 NIT Season Tip-Off as
they host the Cleveland State Vikings in the second round on Tuesday night at
Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.
The Vikings have taken the first two steps towards their fifth 20-win season
in seven years under coach Gary Waters. Cleveland State slaughtered Grambling,
92-49, in its season opener before taking down Bowling Green, 79-73, in an
overtime thriller on Monday night. The Vikings made 9-of-11 free throws in the
overtime period to hang on for the victory. They also held a 45-38 advantage
in the rebounding battle and forced BGSU's point guard Jordon Crawford into
nine turnovers.
Michigan began the campaign ranked fifth in both national polls for its
highest preseason ranking since the 1993-94 season. Coach John Beilein's team
did nothing to make voters second guess themselves, as the Wolverines logged a
91-54 rout of IUPUI in the opening round of this event. Michigan was
unstoppable throughout, and used a 20-2 run late in the game to outscore the
Jaguars, 46-23, in the second half.
These two schools have not squared off since the 1997-98 season when Michigan
ran off with a 77-59 victory. The win improved the Wolverines' lead in the
all-time series with Cleveland State to a perfect 8-0.
Five different Vikings reached double figures in scoring versus Bowling Green
on Monday. Tim Kamczyc led the way with 21 points on 8-of-21 shooting from the
field, and 5-of-10 from three-point range. Sebastian Douglas was second on the
squad with 16 points while Marlin Mason recorded a double-double with 11
points and 13 rebounds. Charlie Lee also produced a double-double as well,
logging 14 points and 10 assists. Lee's point guard play has been exceptional
in the early going as he netted 20 points and handed out seven assists in the
season opener.
The Wolverines knew they had one of the top backcourts in the country with
Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway, Jr. back for a another year. But the talented
tandem may have evolved into a three-headed monster as Glenn Robinson III
broke out for 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting in his second collegiate game.
Burke was one of the most impressive freshman in the nation last season which
led to his election to the AP Preseason All-America team. The sophomore point
guard finished Monday's contest with 22 points and nine assists. Hardaway, Jr.
scored only 10 points in Monday's blowout win after going 5-of-5 from three-
point range in the season opener. Nik Stauskas has also proven to be another
productive newcomer for the Maize and Blue, as he has provided some lights-out
shooting from the perimeter to prevent opposing defenses from keying on Burke,
Hardaway Jr., and Robinson III.
The Sports Network