SAN ANTONIO -- During his introductory remarks at Michigan's media day on Oct. 25, before the start of the season, John Beilein spoke the following two sentences in succession.
"We're not very good right now," he said. "But we will continue to grow."
The Wolverines were among the "others receiving votes" in the preseason AP poll, checking in at No. 39. The coaches had Michigan tied for 37th, the third best team in the state behind Michigan State and Oakland.
It wasn't some unjust snub. The departures of Derrick Walton, Jr. and Zak Irvin to graduation and D.