Luke Winn includes UM Among 8 Possible National Champs
Luke Winn includes Michigan among "a pool of eight teams that's guaranteed to contain the national champion." Meaningless SI fluff piece to be sure, but it's high praise even if the list also contains Wichita State and New Mexico. Luke clearly loves the Big 10, as he has both OSU and MSU in there as well.
When Brian talks about enjoying these next few weeks, I take it to mean appreciating appearing in an article like this. Even my magic 8 ball won't go out on that limb. I'm still wondering how the hell this group has become a top 10 team (likely after tonight) that's still in position for a title in the toughest conference in America. Who knows what kind of run we could make if the team really gets hot? Regardless, it's great to see M hoops back on the national radar. GO BLUE!
For those who don't want to click through...
MICHIGAN. The Wolverines are 20-7 and outside the top 10 of the polls, despite having a few big wins on their resume. Remember which team, on the same week last season, was 20-7 and just outside the top 10, despite having a few big wins on its resume? The answer is UConn. (The Eight Ball does have better reasons for picking Michigan, namely that the Wolverines have been playing solid, turnover-creating, low-fouling defense in Big Ten games, and that a late-season surge from Tim Hardaway Jr. could take their offense from good to elite.)
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:34 AM ^
I do like the sound of that. It does seem like we are a year or two away, but if we can get hot shooting at the right time, we may be able to win. This team has already exceeded all expectations and made me incredibly excited for the future, but I would love to send Stu and Novak out with Big 10 and NCAA Championship banners.
You've made us all very proud, boys. Now, it's time we take it all with house money.
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
I agree with you that we are a year or two away. The part of the article that bugs me the most is potentially calling our offense elite. Without a solid inside presence (no offense to JoMo), we will never be an "elite" offense. So much of it depends on our ability to make the three which is very streaky. Our defense on the other hand is pretty darn good.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:34 AM ^
Watching the game against Northwestern tonight I had the thought that this is the team that plays very comfortably against any opponent, in any environment, with the game on the line. Very heady, disciplined, composed ballclub. They COULD win it all. Shit, Butler was in the finals two years in a row.
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:15 AM ^
They remind me a bit of Izzo's sneaky final four teams that he has every 4 or 5 years. Under the radar, pure grit. MSU this year seems to be that kinda team too
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:33 AM ^
Yes, we are just like Izzo's teams that rebound and pound you to death, but without the whole rebound and pound thing. I also agree that MSU this year is very much an MSU kinda team.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:35 AM ^
So much depends on Hardaway and Smotrycz. At this point, Burke is very consistent, Michigan's best player. You can't overestimate what he has done for the team. We also know what we are getting from Stu Douglass and Novak. Their senior poise and leadership is huge. Morgan finally appears to have turned the corner (at least it looked like that against Ohio.) Burke is getting him the ball where he can score.
The wild cards are Timmy, and to a lesser degree, Smotrycz. If they are hitting the three, along with Stu and Novak, Michigan is very hard to stop. With three or four guys out on the perimeter who have to be guarded, Burke can drive the lane, or Morgan can park out there. Defenders are forced to stick with the three point threats or stay in the lane. You can't do both.
But the whole thing collapses and doesn't work if Timmy and Smotz are shooting 2 - 9 or in that vicinity. I'm incapable of predicting what will happen. But I think that THJ & Smotz have the potential to hit from outside. Do I think this is likely? No way. But is it possible? Yes. What a wild ride the next month might be.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:13 AM ^
If I remember correctly, Smot was a top performer in the NCAA tournament last year. Hopefully he finds that stroke again. Kid is boom or bust.
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:14 AM ^
Don't forget that Vogrich seems to be coming on lately.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:37 AM ^
So I think he knows whereof he talks.
Michigan is likely to win out the regular season, and win at least one in the BTT. At that point, how can they not be a #2 seed? With the best coach in the nation, they've got an excellent shot at the Elite 8.
I just don't see how they win the whole thing. Unless it's raining 3's. Which it could. (See: @NW.)
My problem is I'm so excited about next year's team that I keep forgetting to enjoy this year's team.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:49 AM ^
I love Beilein as much as the next guy, but it might be a little early to give him the title of best coach in the nation.. Like ten years and/or 2-3 national championships too early.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:59 AM ^
I think his continued ability to overperform with teams that shouldn't have the success that they do says differently. I even remember reading somewhere that a lot of coaches consider him one of the best in the country, though I don't remember where I read it or have a link for it. So, I could have just made it up, I dunno.
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:11 AM ^
I've seen that said as well, but one of the best is different than the best. He definitely has been able to scout and maximize talent, and I think he's on his way to being in that upper echelon. I just don't like to crown guys before they prove it (aside-that's why I've never liked Lebron James). When you can argue your case by just pointing to your trophy case then I'll give you the title. This argument will settle itself though, because with the resources Beilein now has at Michigan he should absolutely be able to win a championship. If he doesn't, he can't be called the best. I do think if he sticks to his guns and finishes his career here that he will bring in a few championships before it's all said and done.
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:19 AM ^
no erasies
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 AM ^
next year we will "supposed to be" this or "expect to do" that, despite the loss of stu/zack's box score contributions and tremendous leadership. with the way things are shaping up, perhaps we should expect nothing short of greatness and contention for titles year in and year out. that's just the price of the "michigan arrogance" that demands greatness from our sports programs, and i'm willing to pay the price of being disappointed by results that most schools would kill for. but 2011-2012 basketball? this one is a freeroll. obviously i would be massively disappointed to suffer a first round upset in the field of 64, but beyond that nothing could temper the joy this season has brought. feels great to be back in the conversation.
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:19 AM ^
I would love for us to win out, however with two remaining road games (against PSU and Illinois) and a tough home game against Purdue, it's going to be tough. Illinois and Purdue may have more to play for. They both need to win to ensure that they get into the tournament.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:38 AM ^
Its really debateable as to whether the B10 is the toughest. One of the top 2 definetly. But the toughest is a stretch.
Both BE and B10 have 5 teams in the top 25 RPI rankings, but BE also has 9 in the top 50 to the B10's 6.
Plus, I dont think I'd take any team in the conference as a favorite or even with 'Cuse.
Wont debate that the B10 is a great conference, definetly has had the strongest non-confernce schedule etc as well as home games here are essentially W's unless something dramatic happens (like your team is Iowa).
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:39 AM ^
You lost me at RPI. RPI is horrible. I'd agree that you can't necessarily declare the B10 the best conference, but not because of RPI in comparison to the Big East. They also have 16 teams, so of course they should have more teams in the top 50.
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:22 AM ^
so I'm good with it. I have not seen anyone state that the Big East is the toughest conference, it's always the B1G. I think the big thing is the SOS of the B1G teams.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:47 AM ^
Anytime you want to start that late surge Timmy.. Aaaaaanytime... i'll just be here.. Don't rush into it or anything...
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:14 AM ^
This needs a caption, photoshop, something!
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:57 AM ^
No Hands!
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:09 AM ^
I love this team, but I don't see them as National Title material. Too inconsistent on offense and not enough rebounding.
That isn't to say they can't beat pretty much anyone on any given night, becasue they can. I just don't see them winning 6 tournament games in a row. The only way it could happen is if EVERYONE got hot from 3. With everyone raining 3's this team would be unbeatable. But I don't see that happening.
They are very vulnerable to good rebounding teams who have a good post game and play good perimeter defense. You're likely to run into one or two of those in the tournament.
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:21 AM ^
A team that knows what it can do, knows what it cannot do, plays tough defense and works hard and is getting smarter and better over the season.
B1G regular season title first, then we can talk about B1G tourney and NCAA.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:10 AM ^
I know we are all gunshy from the season after Peedi, Merritt, and Lee graduated... but won't next year's team be better than this years?
We are losing two great kids in Stu and Novak. You can't replace Novak, but I think Vogrich will be a good replacement for Stu.
We get another year out of TH Jr and Burke. I am not expecting Burke to make a Darius Morris-type leap into his sophomore year - but he will get better.
We add two five star recruits (McGary, GR III) and another high 4 star (Nicky S).
If we make it to the sweet 16 this year - how are we not a top 5 team in the preseason 2012-2013 rankings?
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 AM ^
Stu and Douglass are very, very different players. Douglass is more of a point guard of a 2 guard. He is great defending off the ball and pretty good on it. He can run an offense and rarely forces a homerun pass (yesterday he did it once which made me realize how rare it is).
Vogrich is more of a pure shooter that will surprise you with a sneak attack offensive board. I don't see him, yet, as a guy that will be able to run the offense.
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:40 AM ^
Stu and Douglass couldn't be any more dissimiliar...
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^
I disagree. I think Stu and Douglass could almost be like the same guy.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:12 AM ^
The best part: Before I clicked, I wasn't sure if this was gonna be about basketball or football.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:16 AM ^
I didn't know that Wichita State and New Mexico had football teams, let alone BCS-caliber ones.
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^
before.
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:41 PM ^
Yeah well Mr. Craig James needs to learn to read before he speaks. Asshole killed numerous hookers and was never put away for it. Fucking pig.
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:48 AM ^
your rush to post douchey shit and just read. Don't worry, you'll always have plenty time for your inner douche to shine through.
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:38 PM ^
dude I don't even know what a lbpeley is - you're a weirdo!
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:29 AM ^
i was thinking the same thing
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:45 AM ^
Maybe we should tag posts (yes I know I can't even create a post yet) with some thing like [FB] or [BB]. Lots of forums do it and it really cleans up the place.
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:38 AM ^
It must be like this.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:40 AM ^
When I clicked on this, I was expecting this to be about the football team. Great to see the basketball team getting some great publicity.
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:11 AM ^
Great to hear, but next year is the one when I think the team makes the leap from scrappy to elite.
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:15 AM ^
football.
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:32 AM ^
Hate to be the pessimist, but no fucking way. This list is uniformed for a variety of reasons, with some real contenders notably absent, and some included that have no shot.