Michigan Basketball RPI up 10 spots (#57)
Going into today Michigan had an RPI number of 67. After our win at Minny today our RPI jumped 10 spots to 57. Other numbers to note:
Big Wins:
MSU (RPI 37)
Penn State (RPI 55)
Harvard (RPI 45)
Clemson (RPI 69)
Minnesota (RPI 61 - was previously 46)
Good day for us. A win at MSU hopefully should jump us another 5-10 spots and put us around where Minny was going into today. As most of you know Minny was in the tournie until today still as the last 4 in.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:19 PM ^
Now they have a key win.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:24 PM ^
Good to hear but to be honest, our RPI/SOS was never the problem with our resume. If anything, it's why the committee will consider us.
We need quality wins and we're very short on games in which to get them. We still have MSU and the BTT. If PSU can steal a couple wins then maybe they jump to the top 50, and hopefully Harvard doesn't tumble out.
Make no mistake though, it's a possibility (albeit remote IMO) that our lack of quality wins means it's BTT or bust for us. That's what's agonizing about this process. Give us a couple bounces against OSU, Kansas or Wisconsin combined with our RPI and we're in the field. Right now, still outside looking in.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:28 PM ^
but I think at least now we deserve to be on the bubble. I would have to imagine we are favored by a point or 2 going into the MSU game next weekend since its home and we beat them in Breslin.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:28 PM ^
the law of averages says that you win some that you should loose and you loose some that you should win. But we do not have any good wins. Just 1 good play in each of those games you mention and we are dancing.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:34 PM ^
BTT or bust is a big stretch in my mind (unless of course we don't beat state, then it's approiate.). If we beat state and end up as the five seed, making it to sunday would mean we had to beat four teams in the top 100 RPI in a row. One which would very likely be a Wiscy, Purdue, or Ohio State. Hard to keep us out at that point even if we lost in the championship.
On a side note, if we countinue to play well don't count us of the tourney. I know its a long shot, but we have proven we can with anyone in the country. Just have to put it all together, and I think today showed signs of that.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
I think this team is too young and streaky to put together four solid games in a row. Plus Novak may collapse guarding power forwards four days in a row
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<br>Personally I'm hoping for a win on the first day and a chance to play Wisconsin on day 2. I think we match up well against them (more than purdue or OSU) It would also be great to book our ticket with a rematch win over them.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:50 PM ^
http://www.bigten.org/sports/m.../110410aae.html
a. In two team ties at 9-9, by the #1 tie-breaker Head-to-Head, we
beat MSU (2-0)
beat PSU (2-0)
lose to Illini (0-1)
b. In three-team tie breakers
Mich (4-0) > MSU (1-3) ? PSU (1-3)
Illini (2-1) > Mich (2-1) > MSU (1-3) (Illini win #2 tiebreaker w/ W vs Wisc)
Illini (2-1) > Mich (2-1) > PSU (1-3) , ditto
c. In a four-team tie breaker
Mich (4-1) > Illini (3-2) > MSU (2-4) ? PSU (2-4)
Remaining schudules
MSU (8-7)
Feb 27 vs#8 PUR 1:00 PM ET
Mar 2 vsIOWA 6:30 PM ET
Mar 5 @MICH 2:00 PM ET
Illinois (8-8)
Mar 1 @#8 PUR 7:00 PM ET
Mar 5 vsIND 12:00 PM ET
PSU (8-8)
Mar 1 vs#3 OSU 9:00 PM ET
Mar 6 @MINN 1:00 PM ET
February 27th, 2011 at 12:43 AM ^
I know that Penn State is competing with us for a potential bid, but considering that we beat them in both contests this season, I'm gonna be rooting hard for Penn State.
Their RPI currently sits at 55. They have games left at home against Ohio State and at Minnesota. If they can climb into the top 50, that should significantly help our tourny hopes considering that our record against the RPI top 50 is probably the weakest part of our resume. If Penn State climbs into the top 50 and we beat State, that's three wins against the RPI top 50, which would give us five wins against top 50 teams and would probably put us into the tourny.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:48 AM ^
We have several of them to top RPI teams, you would think that would count more than losing by 10 to those same teams. Losing a game by a point or two means a bucket here or there going in or not going in, or a steal or a foul, JUST ONE OR TWO THINGS, the results could of been drastically different. That should count for something, it should, grrrr!
February 27th, 2011 at 10:55 AM ^
Not officially and I wouldn't count on it being a factor.
Although in an odd twist of fate, if anyone on the committee were to stick up for us and point to all our close losses, it would be Ohio State AD Gene Smith who is the chair of the committee.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:44 PM ^
Where are they in KENPOM?
February 26th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^
But they should move into the top 50. Minny was 42 and we were 53. I would think they would at least get a 3 move jump.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:46 PM ^
I still think 21 wins gets this team in because it will have to be against a bigger name in the BTT. I also think that if a couple of teams struggle down the line, UM can sneak in. But they have to beat MSU first if they want to stand any chance on selection Sunday.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^
I think beat MSU and 1 win in the BTT and we should be in. A win at MSU would most likely get us to a 4th or 5th seed in the BTT. Then if we win our first game it would most likely be against Illinois or MSU which would be considered a pretty decent win and show that we are indeed at the top of the conference besides the big 3. At that point we would be playing OSU and i don't think a loss to them would hurt us at all.
February 27th, 2011 at 12:03 AM ^
can u imagine beating michiganstate three times in one year..
February 27th, 2011 at 12:57 AM ^
Michigan and MSU have never met in the BTT. I think they're the only team we've never played in it.
February 27th, 2011 at 10:00 AM ^
As optimistic as I want to be, I just don't see us beating MSMoo three times in a row. Lets send the farmer's to the field next weekend, but hope like hell we do not match up against them in the BTT--I think that would be pressing our luck (and I don't insinuate that we were "lucky" to beat them--I just fear the law of averages).
February 27th, 2011 at 3:34 PM ^
We're not going to play MSU in BTT, at least not in the first or second round. The winner of next Saturday's game will almost certainly be seeded 4th or 5th in the BTT, and the loser will be 6th or 7th.
February 27th, 2011 at 12:00 PM ^
But you can bet your ass that the team isn't thinking about it. You can't go into any game thinking about the next one; every game has to be "do or die" and the most important game has to be "this one." It's the same in any sport.
You can't have a winning streak without winning "this game" right now. Specifically, any talk of a sweep is impossible without winning on Saturday. That is the first focus. I'm betting the coaching staff has them as focused as they have been all year. And we all know the guys on the other side of the ball will be extremely focused.
It's been a long time since this game has meant this much to both teams. It's not as sexy as a battle for first place between two ranked teams, but it will be just as intense. It might be the best game of the weekend.
February 27th, 2011 at 12:08 AM ^
Lunardi now has us as last 4 in per ESPN
February 27th, 2011 at 12:09 AM ^
nice work! +1
February 27th, 2011 at 12:09 AM ^
damn you you beat me to it
February 27th, 2011 at 12:12 AM ^
Fantastic, that should legitimize it around the country. Quick flip on his part. Beat Sparty, win one in the BTT and they should be in
February 27th, 2011 at 12:19 AM ^
NCAA, BTT, NIT, I'm just happy to see Michigan play.
Having said that, this is one time that I really like the "one game at a time" mentality. What I mean by that is that I want to see us win ALL our games, rather than just get in to the NCAA tourney. The last loss to Wisconsin and first to OSU really stick in my craw. I want to see Michigan play either of them, and beat them. That would be a statement win, and I think makes it much harder to keep Michigan out.
I also agree with those who have commented on Michigan putting it together. If the team stays healthy, Morgan stays out of foul trouble, Hardaway and Morris are on, and Smotz, Stu, and Novak improve just a wee bit, we can play with anyone. And we are so close to seeing that happen. Honestly, all the rough games, to Purdue, OSU, Kansas, and Wisconsin, have been a great learning experience, and I only see good things coming down the road. Michigan really has the opportunity to be a giant killer, in both the B TT and the NCAA tourney. I'd love to see us sneak into the sweet 16, and pick up one more solid Big recruit as a result of the positive publicity.
February 27th, 2011 at 12:49 AM ^
whats Michigan's SOS ranked at ?
i gotta think its top 20
February 27th, 2011 at 10:50 AM ^
My definition of a "big" win is a little different. I classify a victory over a Top 10 team as a "big" win. Maybe, if my team is not very good, a win over a top 25 team would be a "big" win.
How bad have things gotten when victory over teams as bad as the ones you listed are classified as "big" wins?
February 27th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^
Well you aren't the committee so your opinion doesn't really matter as to what big wins are. Top 25 record and Top 50 record are big for the committee.
February 27th, 2011 at 12:16 PM ^
I don't know the exact number, but it seems like at least 12 spots will go to the champions of conferences that really don't belong there if the idea is to put the best teams on the floor. Those teams wouldn't be ranked in the top 68, but make it in the field of 68 anyway.
There are 31 autobids; I would estimate that 12 or 13 of the autobid teams won't be ranked. Using 12 as the number, that means that any team ranked 56 or lower would get in if it was done by rankings.
That definitely puts Michigan squarely on the bubble right now if RPI is the main factor. I would put the "comfort zone" at 50 or lower. That is possible with a win over MSU and two wins in the BTT. IMO, a loss to MSU will pretty much mean they have to win three in the BTT to get in.