GBMWolverine
Fansided

Michigan Basketball Is a Legit Threat in Challenging Midwest Region

By Chris Peterson

Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) controls the ball as Wisconsin Badgers forward Vitto Brown (30) defends in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) controls the ball as Wisconsin Badgers forward Vitto Brown (30) defends in the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan basketball has a tough road ahead in the NCAA tournament, but the Wolverines are no stranger to beating good teams, which makes them a legitimate threat to make noise in the Midwest.

It was easy to make the argument that Michigan basketball deserved a higher seed than the seven it got from the NCAA Tournament selection committee — the Wolverines lengthy list of quality wins saw to that.

Related Story: Michigan will have its hands full with Oklahoma State

Michigan basketball didn’t get the seed it deserved, but it doesn’t change the fact that it has become adept at beating good teams.

According to the KenPom rankings, Michigan enters the tournament ranked No. 21. The Wolverines also come in with 10 wins over teams ranked in KenPom’s top 45.

Now, only one of those wins (Indiana) came on the road. However, five others came on a neutral floor. In fact, of the six games Michigan played at a neutral site this season, five have come against NCAA tournament teams.

Those came against SMU (11), Marquette (28), Wisconsin (24), Minnesota (33) and Purdue (15). All were wins.

Taking that into account, it’s really hard to see how UM got a No. 7, but again I digress.

Getting past the seed, which admittedly is hard, the Wolverines are dangerous. Yet, so is their road ahead. For starters, Oklahoma State is a solid 10 seed. According to KenPom, the Cowboys rank No. 24, well ahead of some very good single-digit seeds.

Michigan Wolverines Basketball
Michigan Wolverines Basketball /

Michigan Wolverines Basketball

KenPom also gives the Pokes the top offensive ranking in college hoops, while Michigan comes in fifth. Oklahoma State is terrible on defense (133), but the Cowboys can score, which could mean a shootout.

The point is, Oklahoma State will be a battle. If UM is able to advance, it will then likely face second-seeded Louisville, the sixth-ranked team according to KenPom.

If Michigan is able to pull the upset, a number of other quality teams lay in wait for the second weekend. Some of the potential foes include Kansas, Oregon, Iowa State, Purdue, Creighton, Michigan State and Rhode Island. All teams, which rank in KenPom’s top 43.

Certainly, metrics don’t mean everything, but it shows the quality teams that are in the Midwest Region. Yet, considering Michigan has six wins over teams in KenPom’s top 28, compared to just two losses, you can see, the Wolverines have more than a fighting chance.

While Kansas and Louisville will be favored to make deep runs, after that, it’s wide open. Oregon, Iowa State, Michigan and Purdue all are capable.

Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time

Regardless of which team from the Midwest makes the Final Four, it will take beating four quality teams to get there and in terms of beating quality teams, the Wolverines have a lot of relevant experience.

Home/Michigan Basketball