Happy Tuesday, folks, and welcome to this morning’s Brews. Today we’re going to try to give you some shelter from the impending football blackout, now that spring practice and the NFL Draft are over. In this morning’s Brews we have some coverage of both those topics, plus a check-in with some of Michigan’s non-rev. teams that are closing in on their respective tournaments.
Let’s hit the links:
Most of us are back in but many Wolverines will continue this trip on their own, studying across the
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) May 1, 2017
A few guys in Florence this a.m.! pic.twitter.com/UJiSTqejs1
The football team’s Rome trip may be over, but many players are still abroad. Following the conclusion of Football’s schedule, the players were given the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs across the world. Approximately 20-25 players will be spending the next few weeks in places like Austria, Costa Rica, Argentina, Iceland, Belgium, and Spain. The trips will be an extension the educational components of the Italy trip and will last a few weeks.
Tim Drevno sees offensive line developing ahead of schedule https://t.co/SVYt9eonki
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) May 1, 2017
As we’ve previously opined, the offensive line is one group with a lot of question marks heading into the fall. Graduating as many seniors as Michigan did, plus losing Grant Newsome for the year due to injury, will always mean challenges - particularly for a unit that requires cohesion to be effective. After Spring practices, OC Tim Drevno says he thinks this team has more usable depth at OLine and that the unit is more athletic and moves better than last year’s group. Drevno also says that Mason Cole and Patrick Kugler “lead the charge” for the group when it comes to motivating the younger guys. The line will need plenty of leadership from those two if it’s to have the strong year we know it’s capable of.
U-M leads all programs in players picked in 2017 NFL Draft!
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 30, 2017
RECAP » https://t.co/2L1SIOA4ll#GoBlue #ProBlue #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/snxbp7JEAB
The NFL Draft was this past weekend, and Michigan led all college programs with 11 players selected. The B1G Conference had 35 players selected, with Ohio State finishing with the second-most players selected at 7. Jabrill Peppers and Taco Charlton were selected in the first round, with Chris Wormley, Jourdan Lewis, Delano Hill, and Amara Darboh selected on day two. Ben Gedeon, Ryan Glasgow, Jehu Chesson, Jake Butt, and Jeremey Clark were selected in the later rounds. Following the draft, another 7 players were signed as Undrafted Free Agents by NFL teams - meaning Michigan placed 18 players from last year’s roster in the pros.
Enjoy the highlights from our CWPA Championship victory. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/9wV9c7tR0y
— Michigan Water Polo (@UMichWaterPolo) April 30, 2017
Women’s Water Polo entered the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center at Indiana University over the weekend and emerged with a conference championship. The #7 Wolverines topped #9 Princeton by the score of 5-4 to secure the CWPA (Collegiate Water Polo Association) title. This is the seventh CWPA title for the women’s program and the second in a row. By winning the CWPA, Michigan receives the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Five Wolverines received all-tournament team honors.
Tribucher slams the door for his first career save and Michigan improves to 33-10 on the season. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/WPkMPvkwy6
— Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) April 30, 2017
Michigan Baseball tallied a series win over the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers this past weekend. After dropping the first game 12-5 on Friday, Michigan rebounded with 6-3 and 8-3 victories on Saturday and Sunday to salvage the weekend. The Wolverines are now 33-10 (9-6) on the year and, with a series loss by Maryland, Michigan still has an outside shot at the B1G Title. Up next, Michigan hosts Ohio State at home next weekend - and the Wolverines need all three to improve their conference standing going into the final 6 conference games of the season.
It was a special day on Saturday w graduation and senior day... and 4 home runs. Inside Michigan Softball: https://t.co/XnCDBnDOxL
— Michigan Softball (@umichsoftball) May 1, 2017
Michigan Softball swept the Indiana Hoosiers at the Wilpon Complex this past weekend to move to 37-10-1 (17-3) on the year. The Wolverines started off with a double-header win on Friday, 7-1 and 2-1. On Saturday, Michigan run-ruled the Hoosiers 8-0. At 17-3 in conference, Michigan finds itself in second place. Minnesota currently owns a 19-1 record in conference, and, curiously, escaped scheduling Michigan this year. For the final series of the year, Michigan will play at Rutgers - who sits at 4-14 in conference. Minnesota will play at Penn. State who sits at 8-12 in conference. Michigan will need a two game swing of some sort in order to finish atop the B1G regular season standings. Go Blue.