...talks about how UConn hasn't been in contact and how they're out. (HT: UMHoops)
Michigan and Tournament Redemption
But Ohio and Louisville seem to have rather easy roads to the Final Four.
I don't think either team is Final Four calibur, but I can't see a "for sure" team in their way that they'll struggle with.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
If those two teams aren't Final Four worthy then no one is.
I have watched a few Louisville games recently and I think they are Final Four caliber. They play extremely good defense, they are talented, deep, and have an excellent coach. They have been on fire recently as well.
yikes. We spent all season in the top 5, and you would consider beating south dakota state and vcu then losing a success?
Considering I don't think we are actually a top 5 team, yes.
but right now we're playing like a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team. 6-6 in our last 12 I believe
yes. And one week ago we were talking about a 1 seed. Lets not act like a sweet 16 appearance with wins over mid majors would be a great success
Before you activate your sense of entitlement, keep in mind that we have not been to the Sweet 16 in 19 years. If we end that drought, that's progress.
And let's be honest, even when we were hoping for a 1 seed with a win over IU, I don't remember too many people proclaiming anytime in the last 3-4 weeks that we're a surefire Final Four team. The hope was that we'd get a high enough seed to get us a favorable draw until the Elite Eight or so. I think our draw in the first weekend is reasonably favorable, but Kansas in the Sweet 16 would be tough. Let's just get there first.
didn't we just do this a week ago?
It doesn't matter the round after the first two, it matters how...
We are the dead.
We should've had that theme during the B1G Tournament.
At this point I'm just going by Charles Woodson's motto..."JUST. WIN."
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
I love me some Charles Woodson...but didn't that motto belong to his former employer?
5 4 3 2 1 Touchdown!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
Re-read your first and last sentences of your post. Then go drink 19 beers.
"I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada." -Britney Spears
Mid season potential, and our bracket, it would be disappointing if we lose before Elite Eight. Jackrabbits, VCU, and Kansas are all games we should win for this season to salvage the meaningless quality of "success"
I do it for my love of the Streets
be a success (if you cann even categorize that) if we beat SDSU, and VCU/Akron. If we have a tight game with Kansas, I'll be pleased. If its anyone other than Kansas, I would like to see a win. Just win the first though...
Go Blue. Greetings from SEC country.
Seriously, let's lay off on the "Revenge Tour" and "Redemption Tour" business. Why don't we just sit back and enjoy the ride ad long as it lasts?
without a chance to go to the Final Four?
/s
"That's right. It's an off-tackle play. It's coming right over you. And there's not a thing you can do about it."
Anyone who thinks Michigan will skate through the Palace onto Arlington is fooling themselves.
It's gonna take complete focus and effort, as well as GRIII coming back to life out there on the floor. ANYTHING can happen in these things. As of right now, it's rabbit huntin' season.
After we learned we're really not THAT good, but anything less than the Elite 8 is kinda "meh." Sweet 16 just means we again beat teams we were supposed to and lost to the first good team we faced. Time to actually beat someone that matters in the Tournament. We were the victim of an upset last year; let's return the favor.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
I cant explain how excited I am abou this tournament and the matchups coming up. The big dance is all bout guard play and we have plenty of it. Playing teams that wont have time to scout up on us or just know are style like the teams in the Big Ten. None of that Ref cheese where they allow teams to mug all game long. I follow college basketball extremely closely and just looking at this region and bracket we play in all of these teams play fast and furious. Which honestly plays in are hands, only two or three teams can run and plauy fast with us- Indiana, Louisville are the only ones I can think of.
No team scares me, what scares mehas to be this team beating themselves. Getting down on themselves when shots dont fall so they lack on D, not blockig out. Stuff like that, that will be fixed.. it has to be. Im excited and ready to get this all going!
Meh....
Dickie V just picked Michigan to go to the Final Four, along with OSU, Indiana, and Louisville.
Not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
Dickie V is just a talking head. He doesn't shoot or play defense
Did you realize that Dicky-V had us playing Kansas in the great eight and then beating them to go to the final four? (1 vs 4 in the great 8 is impossible). I think the guy is really starting to lose it. He also thought he was being taped when he goofed on calling UNLV / New Mexico. And then started saying "okay let's go again"
Hate to bring this up, but 1989 was very similar. Good team. Average season given expectations. Rose up for the tourney. Also had Bo leading the charge. Most of us did not think they could pull it off. Most of us now do not think we can pull it off. This team now certainly has the potential but needs the motivation and we have no Bo. Anybody's guess but a Sweet sixteen or Elite Eight is certainly within reason. Anything else IMHO is gravy.
Went 5-1 before the Tournament began. They're not really the same.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
I would say they should make at least the elite eight. At Michigan's best, they were way better than at Kansas' best. But the fact is that it seems the freshmen have hit a bit of a wall, Burke is clearly tired, Hardaway is struggling to find his game, and the bigs are now inconsistent on offense and defense.
Part of the issues are that some things were exposed about this team, but I honestly don't think that is the biggest reason Michigan sits where they are right now. This is a team that peaked at the wrong time and is hitting a slump at the worst time. I still think this is a sweet sixteen team, but you have to understand how teams work and how that plays into "what is considered a success" today. As of today, a sweet sixteen looks like a success. Michigan hasn't been there in a long time, and that's at least a decent stepping stone. If it was mid-season, then yes, elite eight would be a success (I honestly don't think, no matter how good you are as a team, you can say anything above that and be realistic; final fours are damn hard and extremely lucky to come by).
Not to mention (and don't get me wrong, I think Michigan should win, but still), VCU isn't a great match-up for Michigan. Lot's of ball pressure, which Michigan has struggled with (and Burke's height has actually affected him).
Not sure if you guys filled out brackets yet but I just submitted mine through ESPN with a glorious Michigan victory over OSU in the championship game. Now that will be a success of epic proportions
"What" ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in What?
I filled mine out with a Michigan championship over Louisville. I had originally had it against OSU but decided to change to UL. Go big or go home! Go Blue!
Doesn't matter if they're a 1 or 16 seed. I can't pick against them regardless of the odds or money. Imagine how sh!tt? (Besides the pure joy) You would feel if you didn't pick them and they won.
Anything less than sweet sixteen will be a disappointment.
Found this link to the official S Curve. Looks like we were the top 4 seed in the original and then got moved around due to their pairing rules. I'm not sure I can complain about any team in front of us given our performance in the last 2 months or so. Interesting that four of the top 13 teams in the seeding are all from the B1G - just shows the depth and strength of the conference this year.
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/17/the-2013-ncaa-tournament-official-seed-list/
Sweet Sixteen would be par; Elite 8 would be a birdie.
I think this team falls short against VCU. I am hoping we get to Elite 8, but I doubt. The youth and inexperience of this tream, and no inside scoring presence or defensive presence for that matter, says early exit for the Wolverines. I will watch and root and enjoy whatever success they have.
I see Indiana, MSU and OSU going farther. I think Miami may be the best team in the country. I don't know much about Louisville, but the heads at ESPN think they're winning it all.
What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve and...Those Who Stay WILL Be Champions.
To redeem the blown opportunities this season: we have to go to the final four to make me feel like this season was a success. Think about it. We are more talented than last years team, and they won the big ten. We were 5th this year
Where do I think we will bow out? Round of 32.
Well. Here's hoping. Go Blue
Win a national title, which involves beating Duke in the Final Four, and leveling Indiana in the title game. Followed by Burke winning the Wooden Award and his announcing that he'll return for his junior season, just because its Michigan, fergodsakes.
Brady Hoke: Kicking Ass And Signing Names On The Recruiting Trail


Sweet 16 would be a success in my book. Though in my bracket I've got us beating Ohio in the finals for the championship, which I would be okay with as well.