Hockey Preview: Denver, Frozen Four

Legal disclosure in tiny font: Calling Nick our official financial planner is not intended as financial advice; Nick is an advertiser who financially supports MGoBlog. MGoBlog is not responsible for any advice or other communication provided to an investor by any financial advisor, and makes no representations or warranties as to the suitability of any particular financial advisor and/or investment for a specific investor. ------------------------------- The Question: When you close your eyes and think of Moe Wagner what moments come to mind? Can have multiple answers. Ace: Trying to narrow it to one But if we had to, it would start here: Seth: Other than Gary... Ace: But that moment also shows why this starts to get really hard. That was the final blow in a two-year-long battle with Nick Ward that was an absolute joy to watch. Wagner had a few of those. The Painter-Beilein Wars spring to mind. slackbot: Ace: One of the first things that comes to mind for me when I think of Moe Wagner is a Matt Painter postgame press conference. I still have the quotes saved from when he asks the assembled media if they really want to hear this (I’m nodding furiously) and then goes full scheme-geek on how Wagner absolutely blows up everything you want to do on defense. Seth: The one for me—other than ankle breaker—is late in the Final Four, drenched in more sweat than the guy whose job he usurped, dribbles into the lane then right back out to the corner like he just suddenly had an idea to shoot from out there instead, and swoosh. Brian: Wagner was so sweaty against Loyola BiSB: Carrying a team for 30 minutes is sweaty work. Brian: The sweat a culmination of all the work he put in to become an outstanding defensive rebounder. The brow of the working man. The common 6'11 three point shooting man. The man who could no longer be called soft. Ace: Seriously, though, those NBA Combine numbers! Michigan big man Moe Wagner ranked high among the centers tested at the 2018 NBACombine pic.twitter.com/SnpmNnsnxv — Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 18, 2018 Brian: He played 30 MPG at center for a top 5 defense. Ace: Fair point. I was still surprised. [After THE JUMP: see what we remembered before you comment what we forgot] Seth: Geoff Schwartz, an NFL lineman who tweets about drawing weakside ISOs on his daughter's magnetic doodle board, was in awe of Wagner's effort that day. Schwartz has never complimented anybody within 50 pounds of Moe. Ace: Here’s a glorious sweat putback: Brian: The moment towards the tail end of the first half against Loyola where he looked like Ricky Doyle in a sauna was a moment for these reasons. But even though I wrote a whole dang column about Nick Ward's ankles slackbot: I think my absolute favorite Moe moment was the year before: Brian: Michigan entered that game a seven seed against two-seed Louisville and their criminal sex vampire coach; Louisville had four different seven-footers and Wagner ate all of their lunches. That upfake that gets a center to commit outside the three point line and guard-like drive to the hoop is Wagner's career in five seconds to me. Ace: Wagner’s crowd theater stands out to me as much as almost any specific in-game moment. I have so many gifs of him that could be captioned “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?” Brian: Yes, the laughing on the bench gif He was a walking meme. Ace: Every foul call. Brian: I LOOKED EXACTLY THE SAME TBH Ace: He was often justified! Seth: So there's another one that wasn't his great basketball but it's embedded in my head under its gfycat name: Enchanted Lame Antelope Ground Squirrel. After Poole makes his shot he starts running and then realizes he's being chased by a 7-foot mad German and you can see the moment when his brain clicks off I WON THE GAME and goes to full fight or flight. Ace: Yes, thank you. I couldn’t have been happier that the player nearest to Poole ended up being Moe. Brian: It feels off brand for the blog to mention that Wagner stopped and consoled one of Houston's many Davii immediately after that GIF. Like Peter King should say it instead of us. But that was nice! Seth: Sportsmanship! Brian: We here at MGoBlog treasure sportsmanship. Seth: Firm handshakes for everybody. Brian: That means we're kicking them off the team. (After they graduated!) Seth: This is what comes of making light of sportsmanship for a decade, sir. Ace: And at the same time I absolutely understand why players (and opposing fans) hated him. Brian: Oh god yes! The tongue alone. Ace: Just imagine spending 30 minutes being dragged by a German dude who hits threes, doesn’t play defense, and calls you “bitch” every other possession. Nick Ward doesn’t need to imagine except for the 30 minutes bit. slackbot: Ace: STILL GOT IT. Seth: It's one thing to get trash talked all recess. It's another when it's the foreign exchange student. Also you guys: lips. Mood pic.twitter.com/vEP0XZjK9W — Seth M. Fisher (@Misopogon) March 16, 2018 Ace: While we’re tied up in Wagner’s emotions, the interplay between him and Beilein also made for amazing theatre. Brian: I wonder if Moe actually hooked Beilein up with his German hip-hop Ace: This picture is unfairly taken out of context but it absolutely kills me every time: [Marc-Grégor Campredon] Also did NOT have to scroll far for one of these: [Marc-Grégor Campredon] But in the end: [Bryan Fuller] That’s another one for me: John Beilein talking about Moe Wagner while trying to keep a straight face. Brian: They would have been perfect in a buddy cop movie. Also I have many ideas about good buddy cop movies involving Michigan persons, 98 of which star Don Brown as the curmudgeon about to retire. Seth: Pitch a Don Brown Buddy Cop Movie is a future TWO. So my first memory of Moe is his first game (not counting the scrimmage I didn’t go to) against Elon. It sticks because Marc-Gregor was so excited he got the shot and because Demorest and I are two of the fuzzy things behind it: [Marc-Grégor Campredon] Ace: Moe really grew an insane amount in two years. Seeing Baby Moe bleed is kinda jarring. Brian: That's a wing. Ace: Two years later, he dropped 24-15 in a national semifinal. Brian: Another excellent on-court thing was that one specific game vs Purdue at Crisler where Matt Painter kicked off his desperation switching defense. As Ace mentioned, Wagner and Purdue made for really fun basketball games. Ace: Also: learned English. Seth: Just in time. Ace: I’ll show my NBA habit and make a comparison for Moe that’ll seem odd initially: Steph Curry. There’s been a lot of talk this week based on this bit of brutal and 100 correct insight: KD went for 37 and 38 the first 2 games and Warriors twitter was like eh...I guess. Steph had an 18 point quarter and Warriors twitter lost their shit. KD thought he was Kobe. Chasing that farewell tour. They don't love you like that. — Beyonce has an uncle named Larry Beyince. Bruh.... (@DragonflyJonez) May 21, 2018 Nobody since Stauskas had Crisler under their spell like Moe when he had it rolling and man that Purdue game was one of those times. Ace: This post would’ve been incomplete without the German three signal. Seth: Oh what about that Wisconsin game last year (Feb 2017). Find the spot where Moe goes off. Ace: A lot of it runs together for me. There are absolutely peaks that stand out but it’s more faces and threes and murder offense and foul trouble and touching Player’s Tribune articles. Which is another thing: it was genuinely remarkable to watch a kid from Berlin grow to love and understand Michigan in ways that he expressed quite beautifully by the end of his career. Seth: Also: mad dunks. [Marc-Grégor Campredon] Ace: Yes, MAAR’s face. Also: the future of Wisconsin basketball. Seth: MAAR vs the camera lens is undefeated. BiSB: It's hard to believe he was only 20 when he played his last game. The guy was mature and contemplative beyond his years. But only after he played the game like a 16-year-old hopped up on Pixy Stix and Surge. Ace: Really personable, too. He found a way to connect with people. This will sound a little fanboy-ish but whatever. I’m not one who asks a lot of questions in pressers. After a game this year I was the last person lingering behind the player scrum for Wagner, who I really doubt knows me from Adam (so to speak, hi Adam), and I slipped in an off-kilter question that I don’t completely remember but am 97 sure was about Jordan Poole. A lot of guys would quite understandably fire off something quick and run back to the locker room. He paused for a moment, said something legitimately funny and insightful, and winked before heading for the exit. Seth: Also: ran over Tom Crean. Brian: You're going to be asking a lot of questions about mulch next year Ace: I’ve already taken notes on pitchforks vs. shovels. BiSB: Jars three. Runs over Tom Crean. Appears to feel bad about running over Tom Crean. The Moe Wagner Story. Brian: God if that was Izzo instead of Crean he'd have a statue already Ace: We can give him partial credit for this: Brian: I think this is where i say YAAAAAAS QUEEEN? Ace: Good couple years for angry opposing coach gifs, and again, Wagner is largely responsible. Also some very short opposing coach postgame press conferences, hello Tom Crean. Brian: Pretty much the direct cause of Twenty Minutes Of Izzo Eating His Liver At Breslin BiSB: Unlike Izzo, at least Wagner put Nick Ward on the floor once in a while. slackbot: Ace: I feel like I’m taking the lid off my still-only-outlined Moe retrospective post early but, yeah, that man’s legacy is being pure uncaged emotion and sucking everything around him into that vortex. I’ll, uh, work on the metaphor. Brian: Ace: Are we missing anything glaringly obvious? Brian: Probably But that's what commenters are for. Ace: One last shoutout to his signature, awkward, devastating behind-the-back move, which in addition to murderating Nick Ward’s ankles also produced the most hilariously evil basket in the Texas AM game, which was 40 minutes of hilariously evil baskets: slackbot: Log in or register to post comments mgobaran May 22nd, 2018 at 2:23 PM ^ The whole Louisville performance sticks in my mind, punctuated by the pump, drive, game over layup. Joined: 09/12/2012 MGoPoints: 25032 Communist Football May 22nd, 2018 at 2:25 PM ^ Happy trails, Comrade. Joined: 09/18/2010 MGoPoints: 25752 JetFuelForBreakfast May 22nd, 2018 at 2:28 PM ^ Beilein: I asked him if he was ever going to hit a shot. Moe: He told me I sucked. Still smile every time I see it. Joined: 03/11/2017 MGoPoints: 5068 SonOfAnAlumnus May 22nd, 2018 at 2:31 PM ^ My 3 boys (2 6-year old twins and a 3-year old) will miss Moe this next year. They have loved yelling his name out while watching games, usually just imitating their dad. They loved his celebrations, especially the tongue wag. Good luck in the NBA, Moe, and thanks for the memories. Joined: 09/22/2017 MGoPoints: 473 Zeke21 May 22nd, 2018 at 2:33 PM ^ To watch the big man. Thanks Moe. Joined: 12/20/2016 MGoPoints: 8747 Yo_Blue May 22nd, 2018 at 2:43 PM ^ Joined: 08/24/2010 MGoPoints: 112742 Blue in PA May 22nd, 2018 at 2:39 PM ^ Wishing Moe, mo success. Joined: 08/26/2014 MGoPoints: 5140 ColeIsCorky May 22nd, 2018 at 2:41 PM ^ This was most definitely one of my favorite Week's Obsession articles I've read. Man I'm going to miss Moe. I do think Jordan Poole will take over a bit on the Personality front, but Moe took away from me the void that was left when Stauskas bolted for the NBA. I missed that swag. I was so busy with things going on in my life this past year that I didn't get to enjoy the basketball season like I had wished. This helped remind me how truly great of a season 2017-18 was as well as just how special Moe was/is. I will say that I don't expect to see another lapse like we did after Stauskas, Robinson, and McGary left. Future is bright. More memories will be made. Joined: 11/15/2016 MGoPoints: 4647 ColeIsCorky May 22nd, 2018 at 2:42 PM ^ Can we get his brother to come here now? Joined: 11/15/2016 MGoPoints: 4647 SoccerDancer May 22nd, 2018 at 2:43 PM ^ My vote: winner: Wagner Destroys Ward Replay Joined: 04/08/2013 MGoPoints: 368 WGoNerd May 22nd, 2018 at 2:48 PM ^ No mention of Moe Wagner breaking Bill Raftery's glasses? And making Grant Hill wet himself? Joined: 04/09/2015 MGoPoints: 5687 In reply to No mention of Moe Wagner by WGoNerd Walter Sobchak May 22nd, 2018 at 8:51 PM ^ I'll bet a lot of things make Grant Hill wet himself. Joined: 03/12/2010 MGoPoints: 10663 Blue Vet May 22nd, 2018 at 2:48 PM ^ Mo’ Moe! Joined: 05/08/2012 MGoPoints: 93011 Yostal May 22nd, 2018 at 2:56 PM ^ Pitch a Don Brown Buddy Cop Movie is a future TWO. I have a long memory, I will remember this was promised. Please make sure it happens. It's a long summer. Joined: 06/30/2008 MGoPoints: 10317 Boner Stabone May 22nd, 2018 at 2:56 PM ^ Mo Slayed a lot of dragons while here, these are my favorites: *Giving Pitino his last loss at Louisville *Ankle breaking Nick Ward *Giving Izzo multiple ulcers *Taking down Herpes infested Isaac Haas *Body slamming Tom Crean at IU Joined: 01/06/2015 MGoPoints: 27154 Wolverine In Iowa 68 May 22nd, 2018 at 3:08 PM ^ Wishing him mulch moe success Happy trails in the NBA, I hope all of Moe's dreams come true. He was a joy to watch. Joined: 07/16/2015 MGoPoints: 56778 dj123 May 22nd, 2018 at 3:27 PM ^ and they loved him anyway. He was special. Exuberant and joyful like very few players. We were very lucky to have him. That he was German made everything weirder and better and truer. Joined: 07/20/2015 MGoPoints: 286 hailtothevictors08 May 22nd, 2018 at 3:41 PM ^ I am a sucker for Ann Arbor romanticism, but for me it honestly will be both of his player's tribune articles these last two years. It was so clear he was one of us. And by us I mean students. He clearly loved Michigan and Ann Arbor in the same way we all do. And for those of us who have since graduated, he was a window back into our time on campus. I've always professed that what makes Ann Arbor and the Michigan student experience special is that it has a meaningful niche for every one who comes. Be it an un athletic kid from mid Michigan farm country (me) or a basketball marvel from Berlin. Pure nostalgia. Joined: 06/11/2009 MGoPoints: 3969 In reply to I am a sucker for Ann Arbor by hailtothevictors08 wayneandgarth May 22nd, 2018 at 4:41 PM ^ nice font.............and I agree +1 Joined: 10/10/2012 MGoPoints: 13785 M-Dog May 22nd, 2018 at 3:45 PM ^ His behind the back move was always very awkward . . . and yet it always worked. Joined: 07/06/2008 MGoPoints: 302033 Evil Empire May 22nd, 2018 at 3:50 PM ^ That is tremendous. Tom's position and facial expression afterwards rival even the Shon Morris interview pic. And yes I sure wish he had done that to Izzo. It might have topped Tim Hardaway Jr trying to join in on the Izzo-Appling conversation in 2013. Joined: 07/29/2008 MGoPoints: 9077 In reply to I had never seen the Crean steamrolling before by Evil Empire Wolverine In Iowa 68 May 22nd, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^ I saw the Crean creaming live when it was on. The only thing that would have been better would have been if the ref would have called a tech on Crean for interference. That would have been CLASSIC, but he wasn't far enough out of the coaches' box to qualify, so he just had the embarassment of getting plowed. Joined: 07/16/2015 MGoPoints: 56778 matty blue May 22nd, 2018 at 4:04 PM ^ i love that guy. such a joyful player. one of the things i love about michigan is the stamp it puts on people. this university just becomes a part of you. by all rights, moe should've come here, played some good, hyper basketball, and moved on without looking back over his shoulder. instead, this german kid with not much knowledge of the history of this place (and i'm not talking about athletics, at all) will leave as...yeah, i'll say it - a michigan man. he got it, somehow. what a place. Joined: 08/01/2008 MGoPoints: 48846 mgoaggie May 22nd, 2018 at 6:50 PM ^ This year of basketball for me was one met with a lot of Basketball too? I thought you just had to watch all the football games. from my wife. Luckily, she understood, and I was able to watch every available minute of Moe crew. It was absolutely worth it. Thanks, Moe. Good luck big man. Joined: 06/12/2012 MGoPoints: 3089 njvictor May 22nd, 2018 at 10:05 PM ^ I remember seeing him play his freshman year and seeing what he has grown into has been amazing. The passion he showed on the court was truly inspiring and I think he will definitely go down as one of my favorite Michigan basketball players. I'm going to miss his behind the back dribble drives, but I'm really gonna miss his pure energy and enthusiasm that he showed on the court every game. Go make your money, Moe, and show the world what you're made of. It seems impossible to not succeed with the drive and passion he exudes Joined: 07/20/2017 MGoPoints: 88119 oldhackman May 23rd, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^ I for one will forever pronounce Wagner road as VAHG-ner road. Thanks for the memories, Moe! Joined: 07/01/2011 MGoPoints: 382 ebids May 24th, 2018 at 3:49 PM ^ I forgot how skinny he was coming off his redshirt year. Looks completely different now. Edit: how do I up or downvote? Do I need a certain number of points? Joined: 05/12/2018 MGoPoints: 17 champswest June 22nd, 2018 at 8:25 AM ^ My favorite memory was at this year’s preseason selfi night. Moe was sitting on a tall stool when my wife and I approached for our photo. I said “Moe, can you stand up for this?” I wanted the full height contrast. He said “Sure” and jumped right up smiling and put his long arms around us. I will save that photo forever. Joined: 10/04/2009 MGoPoints: 26989 harmon98 June 22nd, 2018 at 3:03 PM ^ Poster boy for Camp Sanderson. Gonna miss the kid. Joined: 07/24/2008 MGoPoints: 9901 this week's obsession moritz wagner moritz wagner dirk nowitzki comparisons aren't totally crazy moritz wagner is german durant moritz wagner creates ankle slurry moritz wagner multilingual trash-talker nick ward i post the ankle breaker video again