This promotional video was sent out to all Michigan students the other day and it’s rather pathetic. Even Dane Cook could have done a better job promoting this. Speaking as a big fan of Michigan basketball, it’s unlikely that this video will inspire anyone to buy tickets. Jerret Smith and Ron Coleman are nice players but people aren’t going to line up at the ticket box to see them play. Nor will they line up to see Jim Beilien coach. Maybe you could get someone excited with some Brent Petway highlights, but he’s graduated.

Michigan is a fair-weather basketball school in the post fab-five era. This team doesn’t have a great amount of talent or experience (Smith and Coleman are the only two upper-classmen who saw more than 6 minutes per game last year). However, a young crop with the likes of sophomores Ekpe Udoh, Deshawn Sims and freshman Copperyale “Manny” Harris is a cause for optimism. Let’s not forget that Coach Beilein led a team full of Pittsnogles and Ganseys to the elite 8 at West Virginia just a few years ago. So if you’re looking to dodge the fair-weather gambit, get your tickets now. That way, you can call everyone else a fair-weather fan once Michigan makes it to the NCAA tournament.