Basketball Blowout: Practice Starts Friday

Even though we are right in the middle of football season, there always is some time to talk college hoops, especially now that John Beilein is Michigan's head coach. With that being said, basketball season is getting closer and closer. The first sign of that is that practice begins on Friday. I'm pretty confident in saying that the team will learn more in one day of practice from Beilein than they did all last year with Amaker as head coach. I don't mean to hate on Amaker as a coach too much, but after reading this article, it's hard not to. If you read the article, it's not hard to see why this team has struggled so much in past years.

The second sign that basketball season will be here sooner than we can imagine is due to media day taking place yesterday. John Beilein and his players took part in the media day activities and provided a lot of information about a lot of different topics. First, here is a video from MLive of various players and Beilein answering some questions:

Going through the transcript of what John Beilein had to say when addressing the media, I've picked out some quotes that a worth mentioning. They can be found below.

Opening statement:

"It has been five or six months since I was here (at the Junge Center). It has flown by quickly. We have made some great steps in the right direction since those days and one of the most significant has been the hiring of staff. We cannot wait to get to this Friday to begin practice. We were so curious about what we really had other than first impressions. In the last eight hours (of practice) that we have been able to be together, I have loved what I'm seeing. I'm not sure just yet of where people will play, but their attitude has been terrific. We have come a long way but there is an awful long way to go. I like the direction that we are going but I know that there is along ways to get where we can compete at a national level."

On the schedule:

"We will see where it is at the end of the year, but it would be tough to argue that it is not one of the tougher ones that the University of Michigan has ever faced. That's not an out; it's just a fact. We will go in and embrace that schedule and make every game another learning point for us to win, whether we win or lose."

On his goals for this season:

"I'm asked that question whether you have an experienced team or a team like this, and I've never answered that question with any other goal than to get better every day. If that takes care of itself, you are gradually going to get to a point where you are good enough to be in postseason play and playing for awhile in postseason play."

On freshmen Kelvin Grady and Manny Harris:

"They have done a wonderful job of being freshman and actually acting a little bit above their years in the sense of their responsibilities with school and their maturity. Both of them graded out as high as anybody on the team in our shooting drills. Both of them want to be coached, they have had good high school coaching, and now they want to be coached at the college level."

On being Michigan:

"We should be trying to be the best that we can be, no matter what it is. Whether it's the way our team conducts ourselves with our academic support, the radio show, the TV show or the facilities. We all should be saying 'What do the teams that really win do? What does it take to be at the top level?' Michigan is going to do it that way and that's the same idea I want. Everything we should be doing we should be trying to be at the top."

Moving on, here are some quotes from the players.

Ron Coleman on shooting:

"I'm a good shooter now and I think I'm gradually stepping up to become a great shooter. I have gained a lot of confidence in myself since he's (coach Beilein) been with us and that is what you need to become a better shooter."

Jevohn Shepherd on a new coaching style:

"A lot of shooting and fundamental drills are the big difference so far. Coach has already installed hard work in another level up from where we were before, like running a mile."

Jerret Smith on the new offense:

"It is more of a freelance offense which gives more of the players the opportunity to show their versatility. It helps me a lot having a group of guys I can drive and then kick the ball to who aren't afraid to shoot."

Kendric Price on motivation:

"We're definitely are all motivated because of our new staff and because we are overlooked. So we have a lot to prove and that’s enough motivation for us."

K'Len Morris on his shoulder injury:

"I hated sitting out so sitting out for a year was not good for me. I use to sneak in here and shoot when I wasn't suppose too. I'm a lot stronger now both physically and mentally after sitting out for a year and I'm hungrier than I have ever been."

DeShawn Sims on being a leader:

"Once last year was over with, I saw how comfortable I was playing in the college system. The guys looked at me as a vocal guy even last year. I just assumed that I was a leader and am taking a leadership role in this team now. I see the younger guys looking up to me. They are some of my closest friends on the team and I am pretty sure they look up to me. It feels pretty good because coming in as a freshman, you always look for someone that you find your niche with."

Ekpe Udoh on the new system:

"He (Coach Beilein) is about shooting -- shooting, shooting and shooting some more. And then when you're tired, shoot some more."

Anthony Wright on practice:

"We have learned a lot already and we haven't even had a full week of practice yet. We have gone over basic fundamentals that get over looked a lot and different strength and conditioning during the preseason. Right now everyone is on the same page and everyone is all eyes and all ears on what the coaches have to say."

Kelvin Grady on conditioning:

"At first guys were down on their knees, gasping for air and some didn't think they would make it. A lot of the guys didn't think they could keep doing it but then we started getting it and we gained confidence and now we have this mindset that we really can do it."

Manny Harris on his goals for the season:

"My biggest goal is winning. Individually, I want to start as a freshman, play a lot of minutes. But my main goal is to win."

Other basketball related notes:

• Eric Lacy has a ton of information relating to the basketball team on the Detroit News' Big Ten Blog. There isn't a specific link for each post, so just head here.
• Pictures from media day.
• Courtney Sims is trying to make it in the NBA.
• Walk-ons are trying out for the team.
• For three games this season there will be a "Blue Rage" section in Crisler Arena located in the Maize Rage. For the UCLA, Illinois, and Northwestern games, when the students are on break, the Blue Rage will be like the Maize Rage but is open to anyone. You just have to sign up, agree to the terms on the sign up form, and be accepted.