2008 Woodie Awards
WEB UPDATE: Ann Arbor Upset
CMU beats Michigan, 78-67
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 12/12/07 Section: Sports
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Posted Dec. 15
ANN ARBOR - Long after the final buzzer had sounded Saturday, CMU players and family members lingered on the floor and in the stands of Crisler Arena, soaking in their 78-67 win against Michigan.
It was CMU's fourth consecutive win of the season, and its first win over a Big Ten team since the 2002-2003 Chippewas knocked off Michigan in Ann Arbor.
"In the state of Michigan, (the win) definitely means something," said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler. "But at the same time, it's about continuing to get better and preparing to win our conference championship. You take it all in stride."
Senior guard Giordan Watson, who started in CMU's 87-60 loss to the Wolverines in 2005, did his best to not let it happen again.
He scored a game-high 22 points and had four assists to lead to Chippewas to their third-ever win against Michigan.
"Their defense was the key all game," said Michigan coach John Beilein. "Watson is just a fabulous player -- I can't imagine you'll see a lot of point guards that are any better than that."
Nine other players scored for CMU (4-5). Freshman guard Jeremy Allen had 11, while junior forward Nate Minnoy chipped in 11, including a second-half 3-pointer that banked in from the top of the key.
"For the first couple games, guys weren't really getting it done," Watson said. "We weren't doing it collectively as a unit. Some guys were and some guys weren't. But now we're starting to buy in."
Sophomore forward DeShawn Sims led the Wolverines (4-7) with 17 points. Freshman guard Manny Harris scored 12 and grabbed nine rebounds.
CMU staved off a Michigan comeback in the final 10 minutes. The Wolverines cut CMU's lead to six with 2:15 remaining, but solid free throw shooting allowed the Chippewas to pull away.
CMU shot 16-for-18 (88.9 percent) from the free-throw line after shooting just 52.4 percent Dec. 8 at home against California State Fullerton.
In addition to Watson and sophomore Robbie Harman's perimeter defense, junior Marcus Van put on a show with his shot-blocking ability.
ANN ARBOR - Long after the final buzzer had sounded Saturday, CMU players and family members lingered on the floor and in the stands of Crisler Arena, soaking in their 78-67 win against Michigan.
It was CMU's fourth consecutive win of the season, and its first win over a Big Ten team since the 2002-2003 Chippewas knocked off Michigan in Ann Arbor.
"In the state of Michigan, (the win) definitely means something," said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler. "But at the same time, it's about continuing to get better and preparing to win our conference championship. You take it all in stride."
Senior guard Giordan Watson, who started in CMU's 87-60 loss to the Wolverines in 2005, did his best to not let it happen again.
He scored a game-high 22 points and had four assists to lead to Chippewas to their third-ever win against Michigan.
"Their defense was the key all game," said Michigan coach John Beilein. "Watson is just a fabulous player -- I can't imagine you'll see a lot of point guards that are any better than that."
Nine other players scored for CMU (4-5). Freshman guard Jeremy Allen had 11, while junior forward Nate Minnoy chipped in 11, including a second-half 3-pointer that banked in from the top of the key.
"For the first couple games, guys weren't really getting it done," Watson said. "We weren't doing it collectively as a unit. Some guys were and some guys weren't. But now we're starting to buy in."
Sophomore forward DeShawn Sims led the Wolverines (4-7) with 17 points. Freshman guard Manny Harris scored 12 and grabbed nine rebounds.
CMU staved off a Michigan comeback in the final 10 minutes. The Wolverines cut CMU's lead to six with 2:15 remaining, but solid free throw shooting allowed the Chippewas to pull away.
CMU shot 16-for-18 (88.9 percent) from the free-throw line after shooting just 52.4 percent Dec. 8 at home against California State Fullerton.
In addition to Watson and sophomore Robbie Harman's perimeter defense, junior Marcus Van put on a show with his shot-blocking ability.
