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Beilein Ball: U-M coach shows off bright idea

Posted at 7:01 PM, Jan 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-19 19:01:51-05

Michigan's basketball facilities were personally designed by John Beilein and his staff.

Every detail, including the basketballs, were crafted for a reason.

On WXYZ's weekly one-on-one interview, Beilein shared with Brad Galli the secret behind the Wolverines personalized basketballs.

"I used to take a magic marker and put it around the basketball, and that's where we taught spin," he said.

Beilein told U-M's basketball sponsor, The Rock, about the idea. The company ran with it.

"They said, 'We'll make the ball, and we'll call it The Beilein.'" 

Michigan has a rack of 18 Beilein Balls, used for all of the team's free throw shooting. 

Fans can buy them online and at the campus MDen shop, but Beilein admits he hasn't done a good enough job marketing the balls.

"Here's our QVC show," Galli joked. "We're selling The Rock, The Beilein Ball."