Michigan Basketball moves up in bracketology after beating Ohio State

Following its win over Ohio State, the Michigan basketball moved up to a higher seed in bracket projections released by ESPN and CBS.

If there was any doubt about whether Michigan basketball would make it to March Madness in 2018, it was erased following Sunday’s 74-62 win over Ohio State. The Wolverines probably would have gotten in even without upsetting the eighth-ranked Buckeyes. But still, it helped.

If UM had lost, it would still need another win or two to feel safe. Now, Michigan basketball has other reasons to want to beat Penn State and Maryland. But getting into the NCAA Tournament isn’t one of them. Although, improving its seed in the tournament should definitely be an area of focus.

But after beating Ohio State, the Wolverines are already moving up in seeding, at least according to the latest bracketology released by ESPN and CBS. Joe Lunardi of ESPN has Michigan as a five seed. Jerry Palm of CBS also moved them up, but only to a No. 7 seed.

In the polls, which don’t matter, Michigan ranked 16th (AP) and 17th (coaches). UM has now been in the top 25 for six straight weeks. The Wolverines win over Ohio State was also their second top-10 victory of the season. The other came against Michigan State, which is a nice little tidbit that should give every Michigan fan the warm and fuzzy’s.

In addition to get a better seed in the NCAA Tournament, Michigan can also improve its seed for the Big Ten Tournament. UM is tied with Nebraska for fourth, but has to finish with a better record to move up in the standings. The Huskers own the tiebreaker because of their win in Lincoln earlier this season.

Michigan would need to win both games and have Nebraska go 1-1. Nebraska is at home to Indiana and Penn State. The Wolverines will play at Penn State and then Maryland to finish.

The good news for the Wolverines has been the late-season surge by Penn State. The Nittany Lions are 9-7 in the Big Ten and among the last eight teams out in Lundari’s bracket. They are on the bubble, but their RPI is high enough, that if Michigan beat them on the road, it could qualify as a quadrant 1 win. UM has three so far against Texas, Ohio State and Michigan State. However, another would be huge.

Maryland, which is 65th in the RPI would also count. The Terps are probably out of the running for the NCAA’s, but an NIT bid is still possible. Michigan went to overtime in the first meeting and a second win, this time on the road would add to the resume.

Bracketology isn’t a perfect science, but it’s generally accurate. It was just good to see Michigan is now in a strong position. And even though UM has reasons to win the last two games, they aren’t must win.

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What’s even better is that Michigan basketball shouldn’t have to do any sweating on selection Sunday, no matter what happens the rest of the way.