Seriously, that was a little bit creepy. For some reason I totally believe him. Hoping I'm wrong.
This is house money. Play hard. Fight to the last second. We can win. If it's not in the cards, I'll still remeber this year with a big smile. Our haters will hate on us, but don't listen. This is already a great story. When we win against all odds, it will be a legendary story.
is that tomorrow Oz will open a package containing a note saying that he was lying today
M 85 Nova 63
Z hits two free throws with 5 seconds left to go up 5, and a 3 at the buzzer for Villanova makes the final: Michigan - 81 Villanova -79
If Z is on the freethrow line late in the game and its that close...... I'll be just as perplexed as I was when Mississippi State didn't foul before Ogunbowale was able to get a shot off.
Z should NOT touch the ball in that situation. Z inbounds to Robinson or MAAR.... they have to be smart enough to not take the ball into a corner and/or pick up the dribble.
I don't think Michigan will win. Villanova is real, real good. That said, if we can keep from turning the ball over like we did against Loyola and Houston, we can keep them operating in half-court. That's how we have a shot.
I predict that using this site will become very difficult sometime in the 10:15-10:30 PM timeframe regardless of the score or how Michigan is playing from a quality standpoint.
I also predict that few if any of us start the game completely sober, much less end the game that way, regardless of the outcome.
Our first two tourny games were ugly and poor shooting, game three we shot lights out.
Games four and five were ugly and poor shooting.... tonight its time for lights out shooting.
Defense will end up being the edge, as they are shooting very well also.
84 for The Victors
77 for the tamedcats
GO BLUE
I like the way you think!! This is a brilliant prediction! Go Blue!!
73-72 MICH
I can't see Nova ending up with anything less than 60 points. Holding them to 57 would be one of the greatest achievements in college basketball history considering their offense is arguably one of the best in the advanced statistics era.
the team to beat all year. They are really good.
But im sticking with my bracket, where I had M beating Nova 78-73 in the Final.
Even if M doesn't win so long as we get competent refs I am fine. It's been a glorious run and nothing will take that away from this team.
OMG if this turns into a ref show, I will rip my hair out. If Michigan gives all they have, and they lose to the better team, that is acceptable. Not being given a fair shot (i.e.: Burke's Block) will really grind my gears.
What my head tells me: Michigan's defense keeps them in the game and Nova doesn't hit threes at the insanely high rate they did against Kansas. But it's a game where we're constantly down by 5-10 points and can't seem to get any closer than that. Whenever we make any kind of run, Nova responds with another gut-punching three pointer. Nova slowly pulls away in the final minutes of the second half and wins 81-71. That team is for real, and as long as we don't get blown out, there's no shame in losing to them.
What my heart tells me: this entire tournament has been defined by batshit insanity. It provides us one more night of that. Michigan re-discovers its A&M offense at the right time, and it's akin to the Michigan-Purdue game from February where both teams are trading haymakers, something to the tune of 15-20 lead changes the entire game. Michigan makes one big (and admittedly lucky) stop when the game is tied 75-75 in the final 30 seconds, and Beilein draws up a brilliant play with five seconds to go. Gets the ball in the hands of Robinson, who hits nothing but net as time expires. Beilein cements his legacy as the greatest basketball coach to ever grace this university (if he's not already), and it is a great, feel-good ending to the season that after countless reports of cheating and scandal throughout the country, that the cleanest coach in the game wins it all. With not a single five star or All American on his team.
Thanks, and I got goosebumps reading that second paragraph. If we don't come away victorious tonight, I'll hold tight to this alternate reality version.
I keep having visions of Michigan players and Beilein standing grinning ear to ear with confetti flying everywhere around them and The Victors playing in the background. Can't get it out of my head. Go Blue!!!
Nova will get into the 70s unless something weird happens. All hell breaks loose they get into the 80s with some ease.
IF Michigan can keep them in the low 70s and hit their shots, they have a chance. I don't see Michigan getting up over 75 given the way most of the tournament has gone shooting wise (and now playing in a god damn airplane hanger).
Realistic prediction: 78 - 67 Nova
Homer prediction: 74 - 71 Michigan
you know he's picking 'nova.... and he has only been right once.
Michigan could win the penant!?! YEAA!!!
I'm actually not as nervous for this game as I was for the games leading up to this point.
Michigan has little to no pressure on them tonight. They can go into this game and let it all hang out. They need to play lights out defense and hit their open shots while making all their free throws!! Every point counts tonight!! I have no doubt in my mind that Simpson can make Brunson's night a living hell and I think a combination of Matthews and MAAR will keep Bridges frustrated throughout the night. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Livers and Teske a little more in this game to help out with Spellman & Paschall. Robinson or who ever guards DeVincenzo will need to be in his pocket all night!!
Michigan can win this game and will!! Go Blue!!
Michigan 72 - Villanova 67
The only thing I got right now is heartburn.
But seriously
W I N
T H E
G A M E
And even if they don't I don't give a sh!t - its been great. I'm also going to the game driving to San Antonio. If M wins, I'll post some pics.
Will be EPICCCCC
I picked a Michigan v. Nova final game, with Nova winning.
Even though there's a bit of money involved for me tonight if Nova wins -- I'd finish in first place -- I've never wanted to be more wrong, EVER.
To hell with the money. GO BLUE!
My heart says Michigan.
My wallet says Michigan (I have a ticket at 10/1 bought in Vegas the day before the tournament started).
My head? Who gives a crap what my head says? I KNOW we will play solid D. I really don't think we will be run off of the court, what they did on Saturday is unlikely to repeat.
We need Z to run the offense better than he did on Saturday, and we need to hit our 3's. Not at record pace, just hit at or just above our season average. And if that happens we can win this game and be NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
Michigan 71 Villanov 62...Our Defense gives up a few extra points than normal but the OIffense comes around..
. . . but you need some offense too. If we play our typical brand of defense without major foul trouble and we shoot 30% or better from 3 and we win 73-67. Nova may struggle if they are in a nail biter. We live for those.
Butler beat them 101-93, Creighton 89-83, St Johns 79-75, and Providence 76-71. I'll split the difference and say Michigan 101-71. Seriously, though. I have M 75- Nova 74 in one of my ESPN brackets. I think that's going to be what happens tonight. MAAR the hero.
No way Nova hits that many threes gain
No way Michigan shoots that poorly from three again
Michigan 79
Nova 68
MAAR 27 points leads the way
Wagner 13 points 8 rebounds named MOP
This Villanova team is not the greatest of all time. Not super athelitc, very big down low or confident beyond any measure. They have 5 losses. They shoot and make a ton of three pointers from time to time. If Michigan plays their game, they will win. That means the salty defense and the offense that has the tendency to show up. Play loose and like assassins. Take these icecream like school sounding names to town. Who the hell names anything Villanova? Kick their candy asses!! Go Blue!!!
Head: 71-62, Villanova wins
Heart: 75-73, Michigan withstands a late surge and hits the FTs it needs to win it