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Last April, Nik Stauskass season at Michigan came crashing to a halt with a tough 82-76 loss to the Louisville Cardinals in the NCAA Championship game. The 66" shooting guard started all but six games in his freshman year, averaging 11 points per game and shooting .440 from the three-point line. Based on his post-game comments, it was clear that he took the championship loss hard. "We just got to move on," he said, his eyes clearly filled with tears. "I know myself, Im going to get back in the gym tomorrow to start working on my game." Stauskas wasnt giving lip service. The dozen or so shooting videos, shot from his backyard in Mississauga, Ontario in sun, rain and snow on YouTube, attest to his incredible drive. His quest for improvement was doubly as important as the top two players on the Wolverines, National Player of the Year, Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway, Jr., were both selected as first-round picks in this past Junes NBA Draft. With their departure, someone had to emerge on the team to pick up the slack and Stauskass work ethic would not allow it to be anyone else but him. "It just comes from me loving the game," he said. "I enjoy playing basketball, so its not really work for me. I enjoy getting better and anytime you go out there and see yourself being successful, it motivates you to try even more and get even better. Its kind of like a cycle for me - the better I get, the more I want to work." Already established as one of the best shooters in college basketball, Stauskas spent the summer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, rounding out his game. Working on his ball-handling to take defenders off the dribble and finish at the rim, he also added 16 pounds of muscle to his lithe frame. The result of his efforts was something no one expected him to do, by averaging 18.2 points in his first 11 games of the season. When met with stiffer competition in the Big 10 Conference, he led the Wolverines to a 9-1 record in one of the toughest conferences in the NCAA, all of which translated into Michigan moving up the national rankings and garnering the sophomore a spot on the Naismith Award Midseason Top 30 list. "Ive never really had recognition like that before," Stauskas said. "To be put in that group with those guys, its an honour. Theyre all really talented and its a prestigious award. Im happy that I can be there and that my work is paying off." Yet as Stauskass talent continues to develop with increased freedom and responsibility, opposing coaches have recognized this, as well. In some games, he has been neutralized as defences key in on Michigans primary threat. "I think the biggest challenge for me personally has just been addressing the way teams have been defending me," he said. "A lot of teams have been preparing for me, more than anyone else on our team. Getting double-teamed and being face-guarded has been an adjustment for me, cause Ive never had to deal with that before. Its made me work harder in a lot of areas I havent had to work on before." Stauskass growth, however, isnt solely physical, as he has had to make the adjustment to being a leader on his team. "Its tougher to pick up the rest of the team and stay positive and encourage everyone else while you struggle personally," Stauskas. Yet, he recognizes its a necessary adjustment to take his team and game to the next level. His focus and drive to succeed wont allow him to think otherwise. This April, Stauskas has similar visions on what another Michigan group of fabulous freshmen accomplished in consecutive seasons - back-to-back trips to the NCAA Championship game. "After the loss we had in the Final Four, obviously our goal is to get back there and win that championship game," he said. "At the same time, we came two points away from winning a Big 10 Championship. Those are both goals I want to achieve coming back this year. The way were playing right now, I think were right on pace to do that, we just have to keep working hard." LeBron James Shoes For Sale . -- Isaiah Pead took a stutter step forward, then raced to the left sideline and travelled 60 yards up the field before finally getting tripped up by a leg tackle. Wholesale LeBron James Shoes . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle. https://www.cheapshoeslebronjames.com/ .Y. -- Sore nose and all, Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to help Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 5-3 on Friday night, snapping the Penguins mini-slump and slowing the Sabres late-season surge. LeBron James Shoes Deals . Paire broke Giraldo twice and lost his serve once in both sets to wrap up the win in 1 hour, 10 minutes. He will next face Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain, who advanced when Jurgen Zopp of Estonia retired with an injury at 5-5 in the first set. LeBron James Shoes From China .C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats said head coach Steve Clifford underwent a successful procedure Friday to have two stents placed in his heart.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hello Kerry, Im writing about the call on David Backes dislodging the net with 50 seconds left in the Montreal-St. Louis game to give Tomas Plekanec a penalty shot. I feel it was incorrect as it looked like Backes was almost falling backwards as he was trying to backcheck. What would you have called in that situation? Chris SchellenbachKirkwood, MO --- Hi Kerry, In Tuesdays Montreal-St. Louis game, the Canadien player Douglas Murray had the puck behind the net and the St. Louis player David Backes delivered a hit which forced a turnover for an Alex Steen goal. How was that not a cross-checking penalty? Grant Brodie Chris and Grant: Thanks to both of you for submitting a question from the St. Louis Blues shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens broadcast on TSN Tuesday night. Chris, the penalty shot called by rookie referee Darcy Burchell when David Backes dislodged the net from the moorings with just 48.9 seconds remaining and the score tied was not only a real gutsy call but the correct one. I concede your point, Chris, that David Backes did have momentum moving backwards after he cleared the rebound from outside the goal crease that resulted from Jaroslav Halaks save off the stick of Tomas Plekanec. Backes slipped past the pad of Halak and continued on his backward path through the goal crease. There was no effort made by Backes to initiate a stop or avoid making contact with the net. Knowing that contact with the goal was imminent, David Backes placed his hand and elbow on the crossbar in a reasonable effort to protect himself. Thats as much leeway as I can offer the Blues captain to this point oof the play.dddddddddddd The instant that David Backes made a slight hip-check move, which dislodged the post from its moorings, a delay of game penalty was warranted. While I give young referee Darcy Burchell full marks for making the correct call, the rookie seemed a little hesitant to signal the penalty shot once he blew his whistle to kill the play. I can appreciate the many things that would have been going through Burchells mind as he viewed and factored-in Backes actions when the net was dislodged. Once his decision was made, I would suggest the young man should be more emphatic with his signal to demonstrate his certainty and to help sell the call. It is also important to note that any Habs player that was on the ice at the time of the infraction could have been designated to take the penalty shot. This is clearly spelled out in rule 24.3; "In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded to a player specifically fouled, that player shall be designated by the referee to take the penalty shot. *In all other cases where a penalty shot has been awarded, the penalty shot shall be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the players on the ice at the time when the foul was committed." I offer kudos to Darcy Burchell for demonstrating the courage to make a tough call given the score and the time in the game. Thats what we expect from the refs, isnt it hockey fans? The answer to your question, Grant, is that the "push/shove" that David Backes utilized on the back of Habs defenceman Douglas Murray and forced a turnover of the puck is deemed to be legal strength checking move. If you look closely on the replay, you will notice that Backes two gloves make the primary contact with Murrays back and the shove motion is not regarded as a cross-check. ' ' '