MBB Moving On Up
Just watched the lastest video on ESPN and it looks like Lunardi has moved us up past his last four in after what transpired on Sunday. I guess we'll have to wait and see who he moved out but we're no longer one of the last four in so I guess a few things went our way on Sunday.
Of course this really doesn't change anything - we have to go 2-1 over the next 3 to be sure of anything...
February 28th, 2011 at 8:33 AM ^
He had us in Sunday morning.
February 28th, 2011 at 8:34 AM ^
was seriously created just to talk about the fact, that we aren't one of the last four, but IN now...
February 28th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^
That's what I was mening to point out. I saw during the PU-MSU game he had as us one of the last four in and this morning we've moved on up past that. It doesn't really give us any leeway in terms of we can lose a game but it might mean we wouldn't have to be in one of the play-in games.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^
I don't think any at-large teams are ever in danger of having a play-in game.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:11 AM ^
with the new tourney format it is very possible that some if not all of the at-large teams will play in the play-in games. Would also mean better ratings for the TV stations on Tuesday
February 28th, 2011 at 11:35 AM ^
Yeah, he's right. Last four at large bids are in the play-in games. Sort of sucks for the last four auto-bids, because it makes it a lot harder for them to get into the actual field. But, I guess they'd just be put in as 16 seeds anyway. It's sort of weird how it's set up.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:14 AM ^
What sboeing said. 4 of the last at-large's in will play in two of the play-in games. The other 2 play-in games will be 15/16 seeds (automatic qualifiers).
February 28th, 2011 at 11:36 AM ^
Gah, and you beat me too it.
February 28th, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^
Thanks, I didn't realize that.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:16 AM ^
Bray has it right.
With the field at 68, the last 4 at-larges have play-in games for either 11/12/13 seeds etc., and the last 4 in the field (in other words the worst of the AQ's) have play-in games for the bottom two 16 seeds.
February 28th, 2011 at 8:40 AM ^
If we beat MSU, we'll be in. We'd be facing Illinois in the tournament and a loss would not knock us out, although every game won in the BTT would move our seed up a bit.
February 28th, 2011 at 8:51 AM ^
I agree.
IMO, I think we are in after a home victory over State this weekend. This notion that we need to make a respectable run in the tourney for ANY shot at the big dance seems like hater-ade. Not surprisingly, that contention mostly comes from people who bleed fungus green.
February 28th, 2011 at 8:54 AM ^
But I'd still be a nervous wreck come March 13th if we are one and done in the BTT. If we win our next two I'll be more interested in what seed instead of if we made it.
I'm just hoping the week off doesn't cool down TM Jr...
February 28th, 2011 at 9:54 AM ^
Wait, when did Tracy McGrady Jr. join the team? I kid. I think you mean TH Jr.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:36 AM ^
Yeah, TH, not sure what I was thinking on that one.
February 28th, 2011 at 9:45 AM ^
That might be true. One thing that might make it not true is we still don't have a big time signature win.
February 28th, 2011 at 6:37 PM ^
That's not necessarily a requirement. We'd have a lot of solid wins, especially on the road. We are clearly playing like one of the top 40 or so teams right now so a win against Sparty should be enough. That and a win in the BTT will lock us up.
We're 5-5 on the road. That's almost better than the signature win because teams that play well on the road will probably do better in the tournament.
February 28th, 2011 at 8:53 AM ^
The only video I see is from before the weekend. So maybe you're thinking we're not in the Last 4 in anymore for that reason. The actual Bracketology doesn't even have us in the field at all because that hasn't been updated either.
February 28th, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^
Well maybe so, the video isn't even there any more so that might be the case. DOH!
February 28th, 2011 at 9:39 AM ^
Regardless of how "in" Lunardi has us ranked today, doesn't the fact that we still have to play our way into the tournament give that "in" a bubble-esque tinge? I mean, if we lose Saturday and lose our first BTT match-up, that "in" probably becomes an "out".
The good news is that we have only one game left in the regular season and we are in a good position to play our way into the tournament.
February 28th, 2011 at 9:42 AM ^
February 28th, 2011 at 9:48 AM ^
Woah buddy! Try *Beilein. Don't disrespect the coach!
February 28th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
I just hate when our coach misses the three's.
February 28th, 2011 at 9:56 AM ^
Michigan is moving up in the Bracket Project's Bracket Matrix. Before the Minnesota game, they were in the projected field of only 4 or 5 of the 75 brackets in the matrix. They're now listed in 12, and there about 18 more brackets that should be updated later today, at least some of which will move Michigan into the field.
Note also that Minnesota is currently in the field according to the matrix, but that the majority of the most recently updated brackets have dropped them. That trend should continue as the brackets are updated, and Minnesota is likely to fall out of the matrix's projected field.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:05 AM ^
I have seen a couple of updated brackets with us as the 12th seed facing either Villanova or Kentucky. The one has us right now in the 12th as Michigan/Colorado. Sucks that Texas couldn't hold off Colorado.
http://bracketology101.blogspot.com/
http://bracketville.wordpress.com/bracketology/
Not sure how accurate these are but these are the only updated ones I could find. Nothing really new still, since we know we still are on the bubble. A couple more wins should ensure we are in and possibly improve our seed. It'd be nice if some of these other bubble teams lose a game or two between now and then. Does anyone know of any games that the other bubble teams play this week that could help us out if they lose?
February 28th, 2011 at 10:09 AM ^
Not to sound homer-like but it will anyway.
Bracketology101 has consistently been one of the top bracketologists the past 4-5 years and is one of the only major ones that brackets based on future projections and not just current results, which is why a lot of other brackets don't have us in.
Their feeling is that we probably will need to win a BTT game although that's not 100%. They currently have us in the last four in.
Current task is simple: BEAT SPARTY.
February 28th, 2011 at 1:55 PM ^
Several more brackets have now been updated, and Michigan has moved up further. The Bracket Matrix has them in 25 out of 75 brackets, and they're now one of the first four out. 18 of the 31 brackets that were updated today have Michigan as in the field.
Minnesota is dropping down quickly--only 4 of the 31 brackets from today have them listed as in. They're now listed in only 32 brackets. Memphis is another team trending downward.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^
Illinois loses to Purdue (and of course we have to beat MSU).
February 28th, 2011 at 10:20 AM ^
I think if we beat State and get at least one in the BT Tourney we have a shot. Get two in the BT Tourney and we have to be a lock.
February 28th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^
Let's start by pwning Sparty.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:05 AM ^
The only thing Michigan can control right now is playing their absolute best against Sparty this weekend. I still think they're better served in the NIT, but if they earn their way in by beating Sparty and winning two BTT games, more power to them.
Sparty is on the way down and Michigan is on the way up. Winning on Saturday would go a long way toward re-establishing Michigan as a power in the state. Sparty has only been on top since the aftermath of the Ed Martin fiasco. I think Michigan will make it back to the top anyway, but a win on Saturday would accelerate the timetable greatly.
Losing two to Michigan and going through the struggles of this season should make Tom Izzo a lot more receptive to the inevitable offer from MSU alum Tom Gores if Gores buys the Pistons, as widely reported.
This game is huge on a number of fronts. And it's the only thing Michigan will be thinking about. A Michigan/MSU game hasn't meant this much since Jalen Rose and company were in town.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:31 AM ^
What the heck are you even talking about? /Napoleon Dynamite
I'm not sure why on earth you'd prefer a NIT run of any length over a NCAA bid.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:38 AM ^
Not that I necessarily agree with him but I believe he is kinda referring to North Carolina last year. A young team that got into the NIT instead of the tourney. Where they have the chance to play more games in the NIT, or at least a higher chance of playing more games than, where as they might just be one and done in the tourney. I would love to see them go into the tourney this year just as everyone else. Just think though if they get snubbed, make a run in the NIT, and then next year they will have a chip on their shoulder after being snubbed this year and make a strong push next year. I understand the logic but I would love for us to go dancing and not sparty.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^
I understand too, I just don't think the extra games are necessary. Let's not forget this team has played more games than almost all the d-1 teams having done the Europe trip in preseason.
In any case, I'd far rather make the tournament, even if it means a play-in in Dayton then go to the NIT. Just as much of a learning experience in the NCAA atmosphere for those who haven't been (ie. everyone that isn't Novak and Douglass.) as they would get in the NIT.
February 28th, 2011 at 12:59 PM ^
this team took Kansas to OT, almost beat Ohio State, twice, lead at halftime at Kohl and got completely fluked out of a Wisconsin win at home. That is some of the best competition in the country and they could have won any of them. Point is, I am not really that sure they have any better of a chance to go deep in the NIt as they do the NCAA. There are no easy outs in the NCAA anymore. 14 and 15 seeds are often in danger first round. 9 seeds can beat 1 seeds, convincingly. There is no reason to suspect that Michigan could not make a run in the NCAA tourney this year. Look at updated Bracketology, does Georgetown have you shaking in your shoes, are you really that terrified of Florida, how about Wisconsin after that?
Come on with NIT talk. Of course everybody would take it if it is NIT or nothing, but better served? The NCAA tourney served Butler pretty well last year, served George Mason pretty well a few years back too. In this NCAA, anyone is dangerous at anytime - Michigan included.
February 28th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^
As far as the opportunity to play more games in a tournament setting?Maybe.
As far as improving the talent on the roster out on the recruiting trail, and having an NCCA tournament berth with a young squad pelt on the wall? Absolutely Not.
February 28th, 2011 at 12:41 PM ^
will not need two in the BTT if they win next Saturday. One, perhaps none if they get a Thursday bye.
February 28th, 2011 at 11:33 AM ^
Does anyone else feel like we're so stinking close to beating a top-tier team that we're due? If we beat State and beat Ill in the first round of the BTT, we really have a shot at finally breaking through against the Bucky's. How sweet would that be? To get our revenge from last year's Evan Turner prayer!! I can only hope that the NCAA selection committee sees us as a compelling upset possibility, given how close we've been all season!
February 28th, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^
The Bracketology that is dated for today has us on the last 4 in. It has either us or Baylor playing Georgetown as the 12 seed in the Southeast region (game in Tampa).
February 28th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
It's 1:52pm and Georgetown still sucks.
February 28th, 2011 at 12:25 PM ^
play-in matchup could very well be Michigan if they beat MSU but lose in a non-Thursday game in the Big Ten Tourney.
I think that Michigan gets in if they beat State and either win a Thursday game in the BTT or play the four seed in a very competitive Friday game. They will get credit for "earning" the bye as opposed to getting penalized for not getting the opportunity to beat a patsy on BTT tourney Thursday. In other words, I don't necessarily think they need 2 more win to be in, perhaps just one if the peices fall correctly (but it may very well land them in the 12-16.)
If they beat State and win any game in the BTT tourney (even a Thursday game ), I think they stay away from the dreaded play-in 12 seed. If M beats State, it is very likely MSU playing in the 12-16 game in the tourney.