GBMWolverine
Fansided

Michigan Basketball: Wolverines Firmly on Bubble in Latest Bracketology

By Chris Peterson

Nov 26, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) moves the ball defended by Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers guard Elijah Long (55) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) moves the ball defended by Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers guard Elijah Long (55) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

In a game it had to have, Michigan basketball came up short Saturday against Ohio State. Does it mean the Wolverines NCAA tournaments hopes are toast?

Over the years, Michigan basketball teams have been able to win a lot of big games at home. And with five days of preparation and the chance to reach .500 in the Big Ten, playing Ohio State at home counted as a big game.

Related Story: Michigan loses at home to Ohio State

The only problem was that the Wolverines didn’t show up. Well, Derrick Walton Jr. did. No one else bothered to though.

Walton, who has had an incredible past month, scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to prevent a four-point loss to the Buckeyes that has Michigan basketball in a real bind.

With eight games remaining, Michigan is 14-9 overall and just 4-6 in the Big Ten. Is it time to start thinking about the NIT?

It’s certainly possible. Two years ago, the Wolverines were 6-3 in the Big Ten, 13-8 overall. Right on the buble. Yet, a 3-8 finish left them at home after a quarterfinal exit to Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament.

Michigan Wolverines Basketball
Michigan Wolverines Basketball /

Michigan Wolverines Basketball

This Michigan basketball team could head down that path. The answer of whether it will could come Tuesday. The Wolverines will host Michigan State and if they can’t win that one at Crisler, the NCAA Tournament will feel like a long shot.

They are firmly on the bubble as is.

In his last projection, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had Michigan as a No. 10 seed. But that came on Thursday. Certainly, the Wolverines will drop after losing to Ohio State.  However, in a sign of good news, Jerry Palm of CBS still has UM among his last four in. They are an 11 seed.

So as you can see, there is still hope. Especially so, if Michigan basketball can win at home.

With eight games left, only three are at home. And all of them are important and each will be a test. Michigan State, Wisconsin and Purdue are all tournament teams and if Michigan can beat all three, it would be a big boost to the resume.

If the Wolverines can do that, then find a way to win at Nebraska and Rutgers, as well as either Minnesota, Indiana or Northwestern, then they would have 9-10 conference wins. And with a slew of quality non-conference wins over SMU, Marquette and Texas, the resume would be pretty solid at that point.

So yes, I am saying there’s a chance. I didn’t say it was a good one.

Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time

We don’t know if this Michigan will team will wind up in the NCAA’s or the NIT. We don’t know if it’s good or bad; all we know, is its maddeningly inconsistent and if it keeps that up, then an NCAA berth seems unattainable.

Home/Michigan Basketball