Mich to be seeded above Minny after Badgers beat Gophers

Submitted by Muttley on

EDIT: Original title was Michigan certain 9-seed in BTT after Wiscy beats Minny, but I didn't notice Northwestern one game behind us also at 6-11. Derp

Of course, Indiana and Illinois are out of reach.

Michigan will be seeded above Minnesota since

  • After the loss to Wisc tonight, Minn can at best tie us 
  • We beat Minny in the only meeting this yr

To grab the 9th seed from us, NW needs

  • to win @Iowa
  • for Michigan to lose at home to Rutgers
  • for Ohio State to lose at home to Wiscy

Let's go through the tiebreakers

        http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/111214aaa.html
 

  1. Head-to-head
    1. Results (Mich 1, NW 1; Mich 1, Minn 0; NW 1, Minn 0)
    2. In case it's a three way tie, Minny drops out here
  2. Records against individual teams in order of standings
    1. Group tied teams together as single group
    2. Sudden death, first advantage found wins
    3. Results
      1. No wins for either Mich/NW vs Wiscy
      2. No wins for either Mich/NW vs MD
      3. Wins against the four tied 11-6 teams
        1. MSU (no wins for either)
        2. Purdue (no wins for either)
        3. OSU (Mich 1-1, NW 0-1)
        4. Iowa (Mich 0-1, NW 2-0)
          1. Note both Iowa & OSU
          2. lose to NW & Wiscy
          3. this weekend
          4. by definition of the scenario
    4. Consequence (NW 9th Seed, Mich 10th)
      1. Group OSU & Iowa together
      2. Results (Mich 1-2, NW 2-1)

So the likelihood has increased (derp) that we will be the 9th seed in the Big Ten Tournament and will start play on the 2nd day on Thursday, March 12 against either Indiana (if Illinois wins @Purdue & Indiana loses at home vs MSU) or Illinois (the other three combinations of Indiana/Illinois wins/losses).

With its win tonight, Wiscy clinches the Big Ten regular season title and will be seeded first.  The winner of the 8/9 game plays the 1-seed on the third day of the tournament in the quarterfinals.  Thus, should we win our opening game, we likely will be facing Wisconsin in our second game.

2014-15 Big Ten STANDINGS

TEAM CONF GB OVR
#6 Wisconsin 15-2 -- 27-3
#10 Maryland 13-4 2 25-5
#23 Ohio State 11-6 4 22-8
Michigan St 11-6 4 20-10
Iowa 11-6 4 20-10
Purdue 11-6 4 19-11
Indiana 9-8 6 19-11
Illinois 9-8 6 19-11
Michigan 7-10 8 14-15
Minnesota 6-11 9 17-13
Northwestern 6-11 9 15-15
Nebraska 5-12 10 13-16
Penn State 3-14 12 15-15
Rutgers 2-15 13 10-20

 

Who would you rather face in the opener?

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/84/indiana-hoosiers

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/356/illinois-fighting-illini

 

Tater

March 6th, 2015 at 3:45 AM ^

The Big Ten will have the opportunity to prove its worth in the NCAA Tournament.  Hopefully, a decent amount of teams will get in and avoid the dreaded 7-10 seeds which guarantee a game against the 1 or 2 seed if they win their first game.  The ratings are always subjective and the metrics used to determine them seem to change every year.  

UK seems to have bought themselves a championship this year, but there will be plenty of chances for Big Ten teams to demonstrate that this "off year" isn't as bad as it looks.

Space Coyote

March 6th, 2015 at 7:58 AM ^

But the middle of the B1G is as strong as ever. If I was an NCAA tournament team, I'd be worried about playing any team from Wisconsin on down to Minnesota really. Even Nebraska, if Petteway gets hot, can upset some teams. Michigan isn't good, but they are more than capable of upsetting anyone as well (as seen by going to OT with Wisconsin and having a ton of close games). Purdue forces match up issues with a ton of teams. Illinois plays defense as well as almost anyone.

So it isn't that the B1G has really fallen off, it's just become incredibly solid and not much else besides Wisconsin. I mean, I guess compared to previous years it's down, but that's only because in previous years it was really good.

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 2:51 AM ^

We lost Walton at the absolute worst time.   He was never 100% after that awkward landing against Villanova.  Even with that we win that game if Donnal passes the ball to a waiting and open Spike.  

Its only fitting in a year where nothing went right, that we fall in the exact worst spot standings wise in an attempt to make once last ditch tournament run.  Anything is possible, but Wisconsin is the only team that is the one you want to avoid.  

Also it stinks that we couldn't have our team at full strength in a largely mediocre conference to cash in on 4-5 more wins a tournament bid.  

 

 

 

Yo_Blue

March 6th, 2015 at 7:54 AM ^

Yeah, but realistically if you want to win the B1G Tournament you have to expect to play Wisconsin somewhere along the line.  Our team can beat anyone, but we can also lose big to anyone.  Just play whoever ends up on the other end of the court.

For the NIT bid, we would almost be better off playing the first day and having a chance for two wins before bowing out.

ijohnb

March 6th, 2015 at 9:32 AM ^

actually would not hate the Wisconsin matchup.  The teams I want to avoid, in order:

1.  Michigan State - we can't handle them on the block.  Dawson gets whatever he wants.

2.  Indiana - I know we kept it close, but they athletically overwhelm us.  Also, Farrel has never missed a shot against us.

3.  Ohio State - Payback.  A lot of things went our way in that game and I don't see it happening again.  I would prefer to be done with the Buckeyes for the year.

We have guys that can body Kaminski and we bothered them on the peremeter defensively.  Granted, we will likely be without Walton this time but I still like our length against Wisconsin's guards.

I think we beat Maryland on a nuetral court.

In reply to by ijohnb

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^

Along with our injuries, our schedule ended up working against us as well.   Maryland, Indiana, even Purdue somewhat are teams we probably could beat at home.     You can kinda steal quality wins by not having the return trip.  

For example MSU would lose at both Ohio State and Purdue, but instead they played both only at home and stole wins.  

In reply to by ijohnb

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^

We needed Levert versus MSU.  He is a nightmare matchup for them and they had zero answers for him last year. 

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 2:55 AM ^

Also, I am pretty confident we will play Illinois.  I don't see them beating winning at Purdue.   I think its a moot point because Indiana has to (and will) win their last game or they won't make the tournament.

A big revenge spot for us against an Illinois team that isn't very good.   

switch26

March 6th, 2015 at 3:19 AM ^

Ok i know this is unrelated but can someone explain to me something that happened during the NW game because i missed it.  I only saw the highlights..

 

What exactly happened in the 1st OT when NW hit a 3 pointer with 11 secs left, then it was michigans ball..  The highlights immediately cut to NW having the ball again 2 seconds later and demps hit that 3 to tie it again? 

 

Did we mess up the inbound or something?

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 3:26 AM ^

Spike threw a pass to Irvin and it hit off Irvin's hand.  It may have went off Northwestern, but I never saw a good look.  

We had a timeout as well.  We had run the same play with success just moments earlier.   Its tough to find blame - Irvin should have kinda carved out his guy and made himself a big target.  Maybe Spike should have called a timeout or thrown a better pass.  

In reply to by JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

ijohnb

March 6th, 2015 at 9:34 AM ^

really did not take issue with the call.  I think it was a double tip off Irvin.  Spike should have lead him a little more, he had a step.

In reply to by ijohnb

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 9:59 AM ^

Its best to be quick and just make the pass.  It seems like Spike or whoever inbounds for us hesitate just enough the majority of the time.    

ijohnb

March 6th, 2015 at 10:34 AM ^

Without the benefit of brackets, my Final Four at this point would be Kentucky, Zona, Virginia and Louisville.  I specifically don't like Wisky or Nova getting there.  I am meh on Duke.  Sleepers include Carolina, and, sigh, Michigan State and Ohio State.

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 10:50 AM ^

I can't really stand Wisconsin at all, but I think they are the only team that really makes any noise Big Ten wise.     I'd agree with you that Ohio State is a bit of a sleeper.  Even though they don't seem that great, I could see them getting on a bit of a roll.  Iowa is an interesting team as well.  Though they are a bunch of choke artists and could even lose first round.    Michigan State fouls way too much and doesn't have the talent to overcome it.  I'd actually be surprised if they even won a single game in the tournament.  

ijohnb

March 6th, 2015 at 10:54 AM ^

flaws, but I think they are particularly suited to making a run.  They are balanced, if they are on they can be deadly from outside, they can run and they can rebound.  They are also frustratingly deep.  If good-Valentine shows up in the tourney I really think they could make some noise.

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 11:01 AM ^

I wouldn't count on Valentine.  Too much of a bonehead to bring it every game.    I don't think they are a very high IQ team either.  

MH20

March 6th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^

IMO, they won't make it to the second weekend.  They're in that 7-10 seed range and I don't see them beating a 1 or a 2 aside from maybe Nova or Gonzaga (if they get a 2).

As much as I despise Calipari, it would be hilarious to watch Kentucky put a beatdown on Izzo.

ijohnb

March 6th, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^

They will have to fall on their face to be a 5 seed and I don't see it.  I don't know, I just think they are a deep, talented team.  Well coached.  I think they could make a run.

MH20

March 6th, 2015 at 11:09 AM ^

They're #18 on Kenpom which would be a 5-seed, and Bracket Matrix has them as the last #4 right now.  If they lose to UVA (not crazy) and bow out somewhat early in the ACC Tournament (also not crazy) then I think it's a real possibility.

RED DAWN

March 6th, 2015 at 6:07 AM ^

I think it's better to get Wisky when Michigan is fresher on the second day than have to beat them in the championship game in the 4th game in 4 days.  

But beating them will be difficult no matter what and I guess losing on the 2nd day might hinder NIT chances if your into that sort of tourney.

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

March 6th, 2015 at 8:06 AM ^

They are tough to beat if they hit the majority of their 3s.   Also, Michigan State hasn't really beat anyone good on the road besides Iowa and that was before Iowa got their act together.  Izzo will throw his fellow cry baby a bone in this game.

west2

March 6th, 2015 at 9:04 AM ^

woulda, coulda, shoulda, but with Levert & walton healthy and mcGary, Michigan coulda been a contenda! maybe that team that coulda made it to the final 4?