Michigan at Indiana

Remember that tonight Michigan, featuring this year's Bucks Mike Holody, Mauro Fuzetti, Alex Morisset, Jake Stacy as well as Bucks of the past, Steve Bonnell and Santos Perez will take on Indiana in Bloomington at 7PM. Indiana also features Bucks striker Billy Weaver who hasn't featured lately because of injury. Fans that can't make the treck (myself) can watch for FREE and LIVE online by clicking here. It was 15 days ago that the Hoosiers won a knockdown dragout war against the Wolverines 1-0 at the Big Ten Tournament in Madison.

Did you know...

*The two teams have nearly identical records: Michigan (13-5-3), Indiana (13-6-3).
*Billy Weaver isn't the only Michigander playing for the Hoosiers. Junior midfielder Eric Alexander is from Portage.

*Tonight's game will be the rubber match in the season series. Michigan won their first ever game against Indiana duriung the regular season, 1-0 on October 4 in Bloomington. Indiana beat the Wolverines 1-0 in the Big Ten Tournament November 14. Indiana has dominated Michigan since the Wolverines first season in 2000, with a 10-1-0 record.
*Indiana's top goal scorers Will Bruin and Andy Aldard have 6 goals a piece this season. In contrast Michigan's top 3 have more Peri Marosevic (13), Mauro Fuzetti (9) and Jake Stacy (8).
*Indiana keeper Chay Cain has played every minute of every game for the Hoosiers this season, posting a 0.94 goals against average and 9 shutouts along the way.
*Michigan and Chicago Fire PDL keeper Patrick Sperry has been impressive as well posting a 1.04 goals against average and 6 shutouts.

Michigan players celebrate Jake Stacy's goal from Mauro Fuzetti on Tuesday

I attended the game on Tuesday against UC-Davis in the cold and snow and can say Michigan played well. Indiana is tough and while history isn't on the Wolverine's side in this one, I still think Steve Burns' side can pull it out and make it back to the Elite 8 for just the second time in the program's history. My prediction 2-1 Michigan. Go Blue!

Have a good Saturday,

-Jeff Crandall
Director of Communication

Almost That Time

Giving Thanks
Hey gang, back again. Right off the bat, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and a safe holiday. Like most, I get together with my family and enjoy the largest meal I will probably have all year. By the time I leave, I feel like I have to go down a notch on my belt. However, in addition to all of the wonderful food, I usually make sure I watch some football. Unfortunately our hometown Lions are not having a great year, but nonetheless, I will still watch the game. No matter what your traditions are, or where you will be spending the holiday, make sure you enjoy the food, and cherish the time with your family.

Bittersweet
Yesterday was the second round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament and a good chunk of Michigan Bucks players took to the field. The Michigan State Spartans, Big 10 Tournament and Regular Season Champions, hosted the University of Illinois-Chicago, and played tough till the very end. Both teams had opportunities but neither could get a goal in regulation or in the extra frames. After trading penalty kicks, the Spartans came up short, falling 3-2, ending an amazing season and an astonishing career for Head Coach Joe Baum.

Miles away the Michigan Wolverines took the field and came out victorious against UC-Davis. The Wolverines won 2-1 with Bucks players contributing to both of the UM goals. Once again I am happy to see our boys having success well after the Bucks season has concluded. The Wolverines will play Indiana for the third time this season on Saturday. Michigan won the regular season match 1-0, but fell to the Hoosiers twelve days ago in the Big 10 semifinals. Saturday in Bloomington will be the rubber match.

Random Thoughts
When is the right time to start putting up your Christmas lights? Driving through my neighborhood last night, I noticed that one of the houses has turned on their lights and has a tree in their living room window. Is there a correct time, or an unwritten date that all lights and decorations are allowed to be displayed?

What will be the hot item this holiday season? With the notorious day after Thanksgiving shopping day quickly approaching, what is the item on everyone’s list? Of course there are all of the wonderful deals on televisions, DVDs and CDs, but unless you’re awake and shopping by 5am, you’re not going to get those deals. I went through that mess one time, and I learned my lesson. That was the craziest shopping experience I have ever been a part of. I have never been afraid of so many women and their shopping carts. So if you are going out, keep your head on a swivel, and your eyes open, because there is no mercy out there.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Kyle Karns
President of Operations

November Madness

While the professional outdoor seasons have come to an end this year in the US, the college game has just started tournament season. On Saturday Bucks owner Dan Duggan, GM Kyle Karns, along with myself and our friends from Cleveland and Chicago crowded around a laptop at the Hyatt in Tampa to watch our boys from Oakland take on Ohio State in the NCAA tournament in Rochester. Five former or current Bucks helped OU dominate the Buckeyes but the Grizzlies couldn't put one in the back of the net and ended up falling to the team from Ohio on penalties. At least they faired better than Michigan did in football (the games were played at the same time). I'd like to congratulate coaches Gary Parsons and Eric Pogue on another great Grizzlies season as well as OU and Bucks seniors Steve Clark, Ian Daniel and Piotr Nowak on great collegiate careers!

That same day longtime Bucks midfielder Nate Jafta helped Lindsey Wilson to a 6-0 victory over King College (TN) and into the 2nd round of the NAIA tournament. They will next take on Mount Vernon Nazareth in the 2nd round on December 1.

That brings me to...

Today in the cold and snow of our great state, the Spartans and Wolverines will open up NCAA tournament play at home. #4 seeded Michigan State, led by Big Ten Player of the Year Doug DeMartin will host UIC this afternoon at 1PM. The winner will take on the winner of North Carolina-Jacksonville. An hour after the Spartans kick off, Michigan will host UC-Davis in Ann Arbor. If the Wolverines win, we could see a rematch of the Big Ten semifinal if Indiana also beats St. Louis today. Michigan fell to the Hoosiers 1-0 in a scrappy match played in Madison, WI about 10 days ago.

And the pitch...

Although its freezing and snowing (again) as I look outside my window, I assure you their is nothing better than tournament soccer. If you can take the afternoon off or have already taken an early vacation, get out to one of these matches and support your Bucks! Their are a ton of senior Bucks players on both squads and many will soon be moving on to bigger things.

If anyone is going to Ann Arbor this afternoon, come say hi.

Until next time,

Jeff Crandall
Director of Communications

Start of Something New

Welcome Bucks fans, to the first of the Michigan Bucks blogs. Beginning this week, a Bucks staff member or player will blog right here on our website each day. This is a great way for us to stay connected with our fans, as well as giving you the fan a great opportunity to know what is going on inside the organization with insight from our staff members. We encourage your feedback, and look forward to hearing from you.

Congrats are in Order
First things first, I would like to congratulate our Major League Soccer affiliate, the Columbus Crew. Yesterday afternoon the Crew capped off their amazing season with their first MLS Championship, beating the NY Red Bulls 3-1 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles. We are very proud to be partnered with a first class organization like the Crew, and I couldn’t be happier for not only the players but also the staff that put in the long hours to make the season a success.

In regards to the players, I was very happy to see that former Michigan Bucks player Pat Noonan returned to MLS and was able to contribute to the Crew down the stretch. Certainly it is an honor to watch former players move on and continue their success at the next level. I would also like to send out special congratulations to Frankie Hedjuk. Frankie is an ambassador to MLS and a role model to many youth soccer players. It was very nice to see Frankie have a great game in his first MLS Cup appearance.

USL Annual General Meeting
This past weekend members of the Bucks staff and I attended the United Soccer Leagues Annual General Meetings in Tampa, FL. The meetings are designed to bring the teams from all levels of the USL together to discuss league topics and prepare for the upcoming year. Each year I personally look forward to going to these meetings to discover new ideas that have been successful with other teams. So many different promotions and great ideas are floated around, and it always gets me excited for the upcoming season.

Also during the AGM each team representatives attend the USL Hall of Fame dinner. This year I was fortunate enough to witness both Amos Magee of the Minnesota Thunder and current Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad (formerly of the Rochester Rhinos) inducted in the USL Hall of Fame, an honor well deserved for both players. In addition to inducting in new members, awards from the 2008 season are given out. Of course all members of the Bucks staff were excited when our name was called to accept the 2008 Regular Season Champions trophy. This was a pleasant reminder of our recent success, but of course left us itching for more in 2009.
Be sure to check the website each day for a new blog posting. Until next time, enjoy the start to a short week.

Kyle Karns
President of Operations