2013 may have ended on a sour note (or several), but that doesn't mean it's not worth looking back at some of the highlights of the calendar year—especially, say, a few choice moments from March and April. While I've almost certainly omitted several worthy candidates, here are my picks for the 20 best (unedited) MGoGIFs of 2013.
If you'd like to peruse all of this year's GIFs, here are links to my Flickr sets for the 2012-13 basketball season, 2013 football season, and 2013-14 basketball season. Since Flickr is pretty cumbersome, you must click on each still frame, then right-click on the still frame and hit "view original" to see the actual animation. Alternatively, you can journey through the "one frame at a time" tag on this here blog.
Since it was difficult enough just to narrow this down to a list of 20, these GIFs are presented in chronological order, and you can vote for your favorite at the end of the post.
DANCIN' DENNIS NORFLEET (January 1st)
Because no MGoAnything is complete without some Norfleet.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the GIFs]
As usual, click the still frames to open each GIF in a lightbox.
THE DEFINITIVE MITCH MCGARY (January 3rd)
Get well soon, Big Puppy.
GR360 (January 17th)
I don't think the "nominee" bit was really necessary.
MITCH AND THE MAIZE RAGE (January 24th)
Mitch McGary, man of the people. (Also, I'm reserving the header in case I ever start a band.)
HARDAWAY CATCHES FIRE (February 5th)
A five-for-one special.
BURKE BLOCKS CRAFT (February 5th)
Revenge is a dish best served OUTTA NOWHERE.
A VERY TREY BURKE LAYUP (March 3rd)
This is just one of a great number of Trey Burke finishes I could've included; the above stands out as my favorite because it's such a signature Burke play—a crazy finish in traffic while taking contact (with no call), then falling down. His feet reappearing in the frame is what makes this one for me.
THE GREATEST PUMP FAKE IN HISTORY (March 3rd)
I sorta feel bad for the number of McGary GIFs in here considering the current state of things, but the dude is a GIF goldmine.
THE STEAL (March 3rd)
Yoink.
THE SCREEN OF DEATH (March 23rd)
Easily resistable force meets very immovable object.
SPIKE! (March 23rd)
While Spike's first-half explosion against Louisville was the more notable accomplishment, this is the better GIF—not only is the pass absolutely absurd, there's also GRIII finishing the play despite getting his jersey torn mid-play and the bench reacting accordingly.
THE SHOT (March 29th)
J-Bart's ESP is almost as impressive as The Shot itself. Almost.
SAD GATA (March 31st)
Mascots, especially when in Michigan-induced agony, are just the best.
RIP OTTO (April 6th)
Ditto.
THE BLOCK (April 8th)
If you think this shouldn't be included, please read this. (Or just keep watching, because ... good lord.)
JEHU GOES BOWLING (September 7th)
Alternate, edited version here.
HOKESHRUG (September 7th)
Still love this even though it may have taken on a slightly different meaning as the season went along.
JEREMY GALLON, SO ALONE (October 19th)
"You know, if that guy surpasses 400 yards we may have to seriously consider guarding him."
#DILEOPOWERSLIDE (November 16th)
I sincerely don't expect to see anything like that ever again, which may be for the best.
AIR FUNCHESS (November 30th)
Earns the nod over his hurdle attempt against Indiana since he managed to keep his feet on this one, not to mention the bonus points for doing this to a Buckeye.
VOTE