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.
March 17th, 2013 at 10:37 PM ^
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?
but right now we're playing like a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team. 6-6 in our last 12 I believe
March 17th, 2013 at 11:09 PM ^
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 should've had that theme during the B1G Tournament.
At this point I'm just going by Charles Woodson's motto..."JUST. WIN."
I love me some Charles Woodson...but didn't that motto belong to his former employer?
Just win, baby.
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...
without a chance to go to the Final Four?
/s
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.
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!
Dickie V just picked Michigan to go to the Final Four, along with OSU, Indiana, and Louisville.
But does he rebound? And if so, does he have any eligibility left?
March 18th, 2013 at 10:40 AM ^
w/ his mouth
March 18th, 2013 at 12:24 AM ^
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.
March 18th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
...hmmnnnn
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
March 17th, 2013 at 10:40 PM ^
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!
March 17th, 2013 at 11:20 PM ^
March 18th, 2013 at 12:19 AM ^
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.
March 17th, 2013 at 10:16 PM ^
March 17th, 2013 at 10:58 PM ^
7:15. Per the M facebook page the first (sorry, second) round game begins at 7:15
March 17th, 2013 at 11:31 PM ^
Where do I think we will bow out? Round of 32.
Well. Here's hoping. Go Blue