Feb. 21, 2011
Sophomore guard Josh Bartelstein will give an inside look all season at the 2010-11 version of the Wolverines.
Hey everyone?
What a week, first we almost make a miracle shot at the buzzer against Illinois and then we pull out a great win at Iowa on the road. It was a crazy game in which the big three -- D-Mo, J-Mo and Tim -- played great and we got a huge road win.
Now we come back home and we need the biggest home court advantage ever against Wisconsin. We have the greatest fans and I'm sure everyone will see it for themselves on Wednesday.
Our coaches are all about having a set routine and making sure you stick to it. Tim for example likes taking extremely long naps, to the point you really can't consider it a nap, more of a second bed time. Jordan and Darius blast the music as loud as possible so it resonates on the entire hotel floor, while, (Zack) Novak foam rolls his body.
However, at Iowa we switched it up a bit and took a long walk outside. Yes, that's right the Michigan basketball team took a walk and observed the beautiful nature of Iowa. It was a way for us to get some fresh air and not sit around the hotel all morning. All I know is we won, so if you see us walking outside Crisler or on the road don't think we are crazy, it is just a new routine.
If you asked anyone on our team besides playing games, what the best part of being a Michigan basketball player is, the answer would be being a part of Michigan from the Heart.
Michigan from the Heart is a program where student-athletes get to visit patients at Mott's Children's hospital and meet with them for a while. While patients say all the time how grateful they are we stopped by, it is a huge honor for us to meet these kids and hopefully make them smile. We all feel so lucky to represent such a prestigious university and be part of a tremendous program.
The other day we all met a kid named Rory who is battling cancer for the second time. He may be the bravest person I have ever met and the whole time he had a smile on his face. We talked for awhile and then I got him an autographed shoe from our team.
He loved it but from my perspective, and Jordan Morgan's, it wasn't anywhere near enough to show how much we appreciate him being there as a fan. Rory gave us all yellow wrist bands that say "Rory Rocks, We Believe" and I can tell you, Rory, the entire Michigan team believes with you and is rocking the yellow wrist band wherever we go.
So Rory, if we can do anything for you and anyone else from Michigan from the Heart please let us know and we will do our best because you are a big part of our basketball family.
Keep sending in your questions and comments to askjbart20@gmail.com and I will see you on Wednesday. Go Blue!
• Previous Entries
