Kansas or UNC

Submitted by kirtip on

Michigan will face the winner of Kansas/UNC this afternoon, as we all know. In March, its not all about the better seed being a harder game, its about the matchups. We all saw that against VCU, a matchup that weighed in our favor.

So who do we want to face: Kansas or UNC?

ILwolverine

March 24th, 2013 at 3:17 PM ^

I think UNC.  They play a 4 guard lineup that would help us not get crushed in the rebounding battle.  Kansas would be a much tougher matchup in that regard.

buddhafrog

March 24th, 2013 at 3:20 PM ^

I think Kansas will win by 10.  I want UNC because I think they are an easier matchup for UM.  Kansas' size worries me, although I think we definitely could beat them.  UNC, I worry about less.

buddhafrog

March 24th, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^

Unlike UNC which as looked amaz... oh wait, they haven't looked very good either.  Either way, it'll be fun to play a Sweet 16 game against a true power house team.  Good opportunity for our team.

I think we'll have 5 Big Ten teams in the Sweet 16.  Might have multiple teams in the Final Four.  That would be great.  Thought I'd take only one team as long as its Michigan.

Go Blue.

TWSWBC

March 24th, 2013 at 4:43 PM ^

Elijah Johnson isn't a good PG for Kansas and Burke would work him over. Carolina has a couple hot shooters right now and they seem quite a bit more athletic to me than Kansas. And I don't think we have anyone to guard McAdoo. Withey is a great defensive player but offensively I think he's average. That's my rationale, but I agree it will be a fun game either way.

WestSider

March 24th, 2013 at 3:28 PM ^

pick your poison to me, but would rather play UNC based on the size issue. Both teams are very well coached and stocked with talent. Either game will be a significant challenge, and I like the way UM is playing right now. Should be very interesting. Go Blue!

BigBum

March 24th, 2013 at 3:37 PM ^

UNC

I've had to watch Kansas all year. Withey has a 1 foot halo around him. You can't breath on him without getting called and he hacks all day. It reminds me of Zeller this year or Griffin a few years ago when we played Oklahoma.

I want Kansas to exit early every year. I like our matchups with UNC. 

GO BLUE!

True Blue Grit

March 24th, 2013 at 6:25 PM ^

It REALLY pisses me off the way the Big Ten refs anoint star players with "the 1 foot halo".  Zeller is the perfect example of it.  And when you add the flopping, it makes it even worse.

Go.Blue.Hail

March 24th, 2013 at 3:44 PM ^

UNC has been playing a lot better as of late and Kansas hasn't really impressed me all that much this year. I picked UNC to beat Kansas and I think that's how the game will end up.

LSAClassOf2000

March 24th, 2013 at 3:45 PM ^

Three-way comparision, courtesy of TeamRankings:

STAT MICHIGAN UNC KANSAS
Points/Game
74.4 76.2 75.1
Avg Score Margin 11.9 7.1 13.7
Assists/Game 14.1 17.1 15.5
Total Rebounds/Gm 35.2 38.9 39
Effective FG % 54.60% 49.80% 53.30%
Off Rebound % 30.20% 32.80% 32.70%
FTA/FGA 0.28 0.286 0.403
Turnover % 12.50% 14.60% 17.30%
Opp Points/Game
62.4 69.2 61.3
Opp Effective FG % 47.70% 48.00% 41.30%
Off Rebounds/Gm 9 11.8 9.7
Def Rebounds/Gm 23 23.4 26.7
Blocks/Game 2.8 3.3 6.7
Steals/Game 6.1 8 7.1
Personal Fouls/Gm 12.7 14.9 16.9

If those are the numbers, then I would feel somewhat more at ease against North Carolina only because they seem to be a slightly more comparable team statistically and potentially a little more vulnerable to the strengths of Michigan. I also like the notion of playing a team that is actually less efficient offensively, or rather, less efficient than Kansas anyway. That being said, looking at the same numbers, I would like our chances against Kansas too. 

MGoCarolinaBlue

March 24th, 2013 at 4:05 PM ^

I want the Heels to win so that I can celebrate with the rest of Chapel Hill tonight.



I also want the Heels to win so that Michigan can finally get sweet, sweet revenge and I won't have to keep hearing about that damned timeout that wasn't.



Given the choice between being the one miserable person in town or the one elated person in town, I think I'll take my schadenfreude, thanks!

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

March 24th, 2013 at 4:23 PM ^

Want to beat a 1 seed and have all the confidence necessary to win it all. Yesterday proved how talented this group is - we can handle KU or anyone if we play our best.

Tater

March 24th, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^

The best possible scenario would be for UNC to gain an emotional, hard-fought win against KU, and for them to have nothing left in the tank for Michigan.  I know it's next week, but the "Williams against his old team" storyline could make a big difference.  

Besides, it's not about ego; it's about winning the games.  Michigan will have plenty of chances to beat a #1 seed in the Final Four if they get there.  I would rather see them play the opponent they have the greatest chance of beating.

If Michigan played UNC in the round of 16, they would have the "intangible" motivational advantage that most teams have when they play Michigan; they would be playing against an iconic franchise wearing an iconic uniform.  There is never any guarantee of anything, but this bracket could set up really nicely for getting Michgian to the Final Four, where anything can happen.

TIMMMAAY

March 24th, 2013 at 5:04 PM ^

Don't know who's watched the Indiana/Temple game just now, but if I were a Temple fan I'd be seriously RAGE pissed off you guys. The refs stole that one for Indiana, straight up.