Imagine being Jordan Morgan. It's 2012 and you're the starting center for the Michigan Wolverines. This season you have talented sophomores in Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr returning, and three talented incoming freshmen in Nick Stauskus, Glen Robinson III, and Mitch McGary. This is by far the most talent you've ever had around you at Michigan...and things get off to a great start.
Then it happens.
At the start of the 2012-13 NCAA tournament, Morgan was replaced by the highly touted freshman Mitch McGary. To his credit, McGary did not disappoint. In fact, he was down right spectacular in his six tournament games. So much so, most believe that he, and not Trey Burke, would have been the MVP of that tournament had the Wolverines pulled it out. Michigan lost in the title game.
Back to Morgan.
As happy as he may have been for the team, it had to have bothered Morgan to not have been a contributor during that magical tournament run. After all, he was there through coach Beilein's lean years...before the big name recruits started rolling in. So when Morgan said that he would return for his final year of eligibility, folks in Ann Arbor were surprised. Myself included. After all, Morgan had just earned his degree, and seemed to have no shot of reclaiming his old job. Not only was McGary now a pre season All American heading into the 2013-14 campaign, Jon Horford would also steal what little minutes remained at that position. There were absolutely no guarantees for Morgan.
Then it happened.
In a twist of fate, McGary was lost for the season...early in the season. Morgan was thrust back into the lineup, and once again must have felt slighted when the Wolverines' stocked dropped in the eyes of most national pundits as a result.
Morgan went on to have an outstanding season, upping his game in points, rebounds, and assists. He also helped lead Michigan to it's first outright Big Ten Title since...well...since he's been alive.
28 years to be exact.
Morgan also delivered in this year's Big Ten and NCAA tournaments, often making the crucial play late in the game to either earn the win...or save the win. He played with confidence, and a physicality that I've never witnessed from him...and I've literally watched every game that he's played in.
I guess sometimes you have to roll the dice...and bet on yourself. Morgan did, and as a result, he got to walk off the court for the last time from mid court...and not the bench.
Good job by you Mr. Morgan.
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