Postgame Snowflakes and Looking Forward to the Postseason
Good win for the boys today over IU, finishing off a regular season that included at least one victory over every single Big Ten team. Defense struggled a little bit, but Indiana did hit some very difficult shots as well. Offense looked good for the most part, sparked by a strong senior night effort for JMo.
After this great Big Ten regular season, how confident is everyone feeling about the Big Ten Tournament and the "Big Dance"? I personally feel like we're looking about as good as we have all season the last 5 games or so, besides the Wisconsin/Iowa/MSU gauntlet that we ran earlier this season.
Can't wait to get the postseason started. You know this Beilein led crew is going to be a very tough out for anyone, and a team nobody wants to face. Go Blue!!!
Not 1 not 2 but 3 wins in march
Oh, and I wanted to punch Chris Cotter in his stupid fucking throat every time he tried to perpetrate the idea that IU was on some sort of bubble.
During the preseason thread, I predicted that Michigan would "struggle early" but become "the team nobody wants to play in the NCAA Tournament."
I still believe what I wrote then. I must admit that they exceeded my expectations in the Big Ten. Like many here, I would never have thought they would get through gauntels 1 and 2 with two total losses. Indiana was a bad loss that was avenged. today. while Wiscy and Iowa losses were revenge losses to worthy teams.
This team should get a high enough seed to easily make it to the second week, where anything can happen. And I still don't think anyone wants to play them. Michigan is a finesse team that will benefit from the closer officiating that happens in the NCAA Tournament for everyone except Duke.
Also, teams outside of the conference don't see an offense like Michigan's often, giving Michigan the advantage of a "southpaw fighter" against an unfamiliar opponent.
A return to the Final Four seemed unlikely after Mitch McGary was injured, but it is a strong possibility now.
I had the same discussion with a few friends of mine a few minutes ago. The only reason we could not pencil in Michigan as an Elite Eight team is they do not have an elite point guard.
Caris got himself back together in that game, too. For a time, we had a little Caris ReVert going, but he really brought the D in the second half, and that dunk was sweet.
Two full games ahead of the pack. At least one win against every team (and 2 against sparty). The guys get rings and we get to hang a banner. Sweet!
The only thing I'd love to see more of is Caris LeVert outletting on the break.
When he gets the ball it's dribble dribble dribble. A couple times today GR3 wasn't necessarily ahead of his defender, but he had an entire wing to go 1on1. Give him the ball - if you can get GR3 an open wing to go 1 on 1 without helf defense, I like our chances to score. Move the ball by the pass and attack!
I was there and had the chance to see the net-cutting ceremony - was that broadcast on TV? Very, very cool. (Good thing we won - cutting them down after a loss would have been weird.)
IU was attacking. The crowd would be cheering after a made shot and IU would be getting fouled on the other end. I'm just happy Michigan was able to pull it off. The postgame celebration was really cool. After it ended I just sort of sat back and took it all in. It's not something we've seen in a long time. #ThanksJMo
Air Canada decided to make an appearance at Crisler tonight. Posted by David Merrit,
Also, any chance of Yogi Ferrell leaving after this year? I hate that guy.
Let's not get crazy now.
As long as our shooting is good!I think we can make it to the sweet 16 despite our average defense, but after that we may be playing some big physical teams. Too bad Mitch can not play in the big dance! It would be a fun game to see Michigan play Wichita State in the finals. I actually met and talked to the Wichita State coach and he really liked our team last season. He said it would have been great to have made it to the finals and played against Michigan. Well, I hope we have that chance this year!