Big 10/11 Basketball: Poor Indiana
I was just perusing Jeff Sagarin's computer ratings at usatoday.com. Every Big Ten team is in the top 43 except for 9-2 PSU, 9-3 Iowa -- AND 4-5 Indiana. I live in the East and all I hear about is Big East and ACC basketball. Perhaps it's time to note that the Big 10 is back in basketball -- across the league. Most of the teams have significant wins against top opponents, including Texas, Duke, Louisville. The one negative is that even if Michigan enters the Big Ten season at 10-2, making the tourney is not going to be a sure thing, given how good the Big Ten is looking.
December 21st, 2008 at 2:11 PM ^
There's a flip-side to that coin in that a rising tide raises all boats. If the Big Ten continues to be strong, that should only improve our chances of making the dance. It also provides a little extra margin for error in the event that we slip up against a meh team (like Indiana).
December 21st, 2008 at 2:40 PM ^
True dat. A strong Big Ten may get 6 or 7 teams in this year, as opposed to say, 5. This helps us out greatly. Also, consider that last year's squad managed to pull out 5 Big Ten wins plus one tournament W. Considering how improved we are, I would think at least 8 wins in conference play is not unreasonable. I still think we're a long-shot to contend for the title, but you never know. If I had to make a prediction right now, I see Michigan finishing anywhere from 3-5 in the conference, safely in the NCAAs. And that would be a year ahead of my schedule of expectations. Provided Harris and Sims return next year, I think 2009-10 we could be the favorites in the Big Ten. Man am I drunk on Beilein kool-aid!
December 21st, 2008 at 9:50 PM ^
I think we need nine wins. Eight would mean a losing conference record (8-10), and it's rare for teams to ever make the tourney under those circumstances. Fortunately, I think 9-9 is very achieveable.
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 AM ^
a split conf (9-9) plus a 10-2 start puts us out there as one of those ~19 win teams that come down to "quality wins" vs "bad loses"; so far, we're going to win that battle.