Lundari's New Bracket - Michigan #2 Seed in the Louisville Regional
Can't believe it's less than 6 weeks to Selection Sunday already?! With that in mind, Joe Lunardi over at ESPN put up his latest bracket projection and he has slipped Michigan from a #1 seed to the #2 in the South Regional in Louisville, with the first two rounds being in Des Moines. Virginia would be the 1 seed on our side.
One thing that stuck out to me, I'd sure love to avoid Marquette if possible. As of now, they would be our matchup in the Sweet Sixteen. They're a very, very good team. Other interesting note, MSU would play Loyola in the first round (lol yes please) but they'd be in Columbus.
Yea yea, I know it's early and this stuff is pointless but I sure find it fun! Hoping for a big win tonight at Rutgers.
February 5th, 2019 at 10:11 AM ^
Oh dear, I wouldn't want to play Virginia in the post season. No history of them massively disappointing every single year /s
February 5th, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
will likely end up a 2-3 seed IMO as the closing stretch brutal. I think M will lose a 2-3 more games and end up with 3-5 losses making them a solid 2 or high 3.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^
Uh, every team in the country is going to lose multiple games from now until the tournament.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:50 AM ^
I don't see two more losses on Gonzaga or Nevada's schedule. I am actually not sure if I see multiple losses on Tennessee's schedule either.
February 5th, 2019 at 5:11 PM ^
I'd be surprised if Purdue loses more than 2 games the rest of the way ... they have a crap schedule remaining. One tough game (@ MD) and the rest are mediocre to bad teams. They could easily win out and finish the regular season with 2 conference losses.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:59 AM ^
Jaws is probably right. I’m thinking 3 seed based on how much is left to play or maybe slip to a 4. I think UM is slightly overrated and is probably a Sweet 16 type of team this season.
February 5th, 2019 at 12:19 PM ^
UM is overated? Then UNC, Villanova and Purdue must be MASSIVELY overated.
UM has lost two games, on the road, against tough in-conference opponents in kenpom’s top 25. Both of which had a stench of ref fuckery (especially Iowa). They have whooped on 3 kenpom top 20 teams (2 in the top 10) one of which on the road. I think they are ranked right about where they should be and maybe even a tad underrated.
Meanwhile MSU’s best win is at #22 Iowa and they have miserable home loss to an awful Indiana team. Sorry, MSU is the only overated team in the state of Michigan.
February 5th, 2019 at 1:49 PM ^
UM has regressed.
UNC/VIL/Purdue have all improved.
February 5th, 2019 at 2:49 PM ^
Regressed how?
February 5th, 2019 at 3:14 PM ^
Charles Matthews.
February 5th, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^
I just hope we don't lay a steamy #2 against Rutgers tonight.
Unless it's on Chris Ash. He could use a Hot Carl.
February 5th, 2019 at 10:20 AM ^
Thank you for ruining my oatmeal
February 5th, 2019 at 10:15 AM ^
Sorry to threadjack, but I just saw this, and...
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2019/02/its-michigan-rb-chris-evans-time-to-shine-in-2019.html
Sooo, he's not in any trouble???
February 5th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
it's like there's an 800 lbs kid 'n play hairdo in the room.....
February 5th, 2019 at 10:16 AM ^
Honestly I don’t care where we end up. We are gonna have to play multiple elite teams in the tournament to get where we want anyway. Bring on anyone, if we are as good as we think they are, they should rise to the challenge.
February 5th, 2019 at 10:58 AM ^
That’s just it. We probably aren’t as good as we think we are.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:03 AM ^
Speak for yourself.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:17 AM ^
I can't even figure out how good I think we are right now.
February 5th, 2019 at 12:15 PM ^
I know how good we're capable of being. . .
If that helps
February 5th, 2019 at 10:18 AM ^
Would love to see us as a 2 that close to home, potentially facing a 1 seed who, like us, has some offensive question marks. Although UVA seems to be playing with a massive chip on their shoulder after what happened last year.
#GodlovesaTerrier
February 5th, 2019 at 10:21 AM ^
lol Thumbs up for the 'Best in Show' reference!
February 5th, 2019 at 10:53 AM ^
What are the offensive question marks for UVa this year? KenPom has their offense 5th in the country this year.
February 5th, 2019 at 4:45 PM ^
I stand corrected. I've only watched a couple of their games this year and their offense seemed plodding, but in a way that facilitated the pace they preferred on defense. Amazed to hear they're so high in KenPom. Fire up Chips.
February 5th, 2019 at 10:24 AM ^
Links are overrated.
February 5th, 2019 at 10:41 AM ^
It's insane how close Michigan and Sparty are. Both 9-2 in conference, are -10 on the road tonight, 2 seeds on Lunardi's bracketology, and have 1 player on Wooden top 20 (Iggy, Cash).
Something's gotta give. Shaping up to be an epic close to the conference season.
February 5th, 2019 at 12:12 PM ^
Something may not give. We may well end up tied.
February 5th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
Looking at the teams still in the hunt for the conference title, Michigan's path is the toughest, although Maryland's is a close 2nd in difficulty. Meanwhile, we debate which team between us and MSU is going to come out on top and Purdue is just sitting there tied with both of us and with only one ranked opponent left on their schedule.
Tied for first:
Michigan - 4 of 9 games at home. Ranked opponents - Maryland (2), MSU (2), and Wisconsin
MSU - 5 of 9 games at home. Ranked opponents - Michigan (2), Wisconsin
Purdue - 4 of 9 games at home. Ranked opponents - Maryland
One game back:
Wisconsin - 4 of 9 games at home. Ranked opponents - Michigan, MSU, Iowa
Two games back:
Maryland - 4 of 9 games at home. Ranked opponents - Wisconsin, Purdue, Michigan (2), Iowa
Regardless, we run the gauntlet of these last 5 weeks with only another loss or even two and we may earn our one seed back.
February 5th, 2019 at 10:44 AM ^
With MSU in the Columbus bracket I will feel less guilty cheering for a meteor strike.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
they'll be shitting in their coolers while warming their hands by the burning couches..... almost fitting of a Norman Rockwell painting
February 5th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
Beat Rutger.....
February 5th, 2019 at 10:48 AM ^
UM will be a 2 or 3 seed, and that is probably for the best. UVa continuing to get any credence as a top seed astounds me. Last year took the cake, but they've underperformed almost every year
February 5th, 2019 at 11:46 AM ^
Its almost like the selection committee (and Lundardi) isnt supposed to take the past season into consideration when selecting seeds for the current one with vastly different teams involved....
February 5th, 2019 at 12:31 PM ^
If Virginia as a top seed astounds you then you are very easily astounded...or something much worse. I have not seen them play very often but to say that they do not have the elements to compete for an NC is just plain silly. When Michigan is playing well they have a very high ceiling. However, when Michigan plays poorly, their floor is very low. Here, VA's ceiling is at least as high but their floor is much higher than Michigan's.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:15 AM ^
A 2 seed behind UVAs 1 is a defacto 1 seed. They won't see the sweet 16.
#aguycanhope
#pastperformanceALWAYSdictatesfutureresults
February 5th, 2019 at 11:34 AM ^
9 games left on Michigan's regular season schedule plus the B1G tournament and we are talking about seeding in the NCAA tournament? Lot's of ball to be played by us as well as everyone else to be getting worked up over any seeding.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:42 AM ^
Just don't lose to Rutgers.
February 5th, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^
None really. At least no deficiencies that other teams don't have including Michigan. They have a similar team profile to Michigan - dominant defense, precise methodical offense with ultra turnover % - except they are actually great at 3pt shooting (#1 in ACC and #13 nationally). When they make their average amount of 3's they don't lose. In their lone loss (at Duke 72-70) they went 3-17 from three.
You could argue they don't have a dominant post presence, but they play modern Beilein-style outside-in offensive basketball and aren't overly reliant on the three - they are middle of that pack in terms of 3pt attempts. Their top two bigs are Teske-like great screen setters that are solid at finishing pick and roll looks when the guards don't drive or pull up. Coming off the bench they have a 7 ft stretch five (Jay Huff) who's basically sophomore Moe Wagoner at this point. He been developing rapidly and should be fully weaponized by tourney time.
Past tourney luck notwithstanding, they are legit. There about as good - statisically and record wise - as Michigan would be if Simpson and Matthews could both shoot 40%+ from three on relatively high usage.
February 5th, 2019 at 12:09 PM ^
Sweeping Sparty puts Michigan back on the 1 line and split keeps them as a 2 barring anything catastrophic.
February 5th, 2019 at 12:19 PM ^
In-season rankings = useless hype. We'll end up a #2 or 3 seed thanks to standard Big Ten home cooking @Wisconsin, @Iowa, @MSU, perhaps @MN and that's that. We're better when the home cooking playing field gets balanced in the tourney anyway.
February 5th, 2019 at 12:26 PM ^
I think a 2 seed would be an amazing accomplishment and would be happy with that that. Seems to me the the 6-ish man rotation is catching with the fellas, they look tired and flat (shooting looks really flat). Will be interesting to see if the young guys get more time the next 2 weeks, guys like DDJ, Castleton and Johns having more meaningful game time under their belt would be nice
February 5th, 2019 at 1:03 PM ^
are we going to have a new thread every time lunardi updates his bracket?
February 5th, 2019 at 6:02 PM ^
Yes. Anymore easily answered questions?
February 5th, 2019 at 1:03 PM ^
I'm in Des Moines and I'm going to those tournament games no matter what, would LOVE to see Michigan there. GO BLUE!!
February 5th, 2019 at 1:38 PM ^
I will be driving to Des Moines if they go there the opening weekend.
How's the downtown scene? Are there a lot of breweries, bars, and restaurants to keep me busy on the Friday that they aren't playing?
Any suggestions?
February 5th, 2019 at 1:24 PM ^
I would be VERY happy if this happened...good number of Michigan fans here.
February 5th, 2019 at 1:38 PM ^
too early? yes
still fun, as I have a daughter living in Lexington, so would attend.
We saw Pitino's last game as Louisville coach in Indy, and the title game in Atlanta.
February 5th, 2019 at 2:33 PM ^
We have a brutal stretch to close the season. Wisconsin, @Minnesota, @PSU, and then Maryland (2x) and MSU (2x). We can easily go 4-3/3-4 in that stretch (hopefully no worse).
February 5th, 2019 at 5:15 PM ^
Better than being sent to BLOWlumbus, BLOWhio.....FiretrUCK BLOWhio!!!!!!!!!!