Michigan Basketball deserves higher NCAA seed than Michigan State
When you look at the resume of both teams, there is no way Michigan basketball should be seeded lower than Michigan State or Purdue in the NCAA Tournament.
After it’s incredible run to a second straight Big Ten championship, the Michigan basketball team now just has to figure out where it will be seeded in the 68-team NCAA Tournament.
Certainly, there are a lot of things still to be decided. Michigan basketball and the rest of the Big Ten got its chance to make an impression on the selection committee last week. Now, the ACC, Big East, SEC, Big 12, PAC 12 and the American Conference get their chances to do the same.
But really, how much can that affect the Wolverines and their seeding in the NCAA Tournament? Shouldn’t be much. No matter what happens, Michigan should be at least a No. 3 seed. An argument can also be made for them to be seeded as high as a two.
Of course, there are a lot of things that determine the final number. However, there are a lot of things going in Michigan’s favor. For one, the Wolverines are red hot, as they have won nine in a row. Five of those nine wins also came against quadrant 1 teams, making the run even more impressive.
In the latest edition of ESPN bracketology released Thursday morning, Michigan basketball is still a three seed. Yet, in the CBS projection done by Jerry Palm, the Wolverines are still a four, which makes zero sense.
What’s ridiculous about Palm’s projection, is that Michigan State and Purdue are both two seeds. Purdue, with five top-50 wins and 11 top-100 wins is deserving. The Boilermakers also beat Michigan twice. That along with a 15-3 Big Ten record makes their two seed legit, although UM still deserves equal consideration.
Michigan Wolverines Basketball
Michigan State, on other hand, has no business being seeded ahead of Michigan. Hell, the Spartans don’t even deserve the same seed as the Wolverines. Just take a look at the resumes and it’s a simple decision.
For one, the Wolverines have seven quadrant 1 wins. Michigan State has three. The Spartans also have just two top-50 wins and seven top-100 wins. Michigan basketball has six top-50 wins and 10 in the top 100. Seven of their 10 top-100 wins have also come either on the road, or on a neutral floor.
On top of that, Michigan swept the Spartans, decisively. And they did it in East Lansing and in the Big Ten semis at Madison Square Garden. Both wins came by double digits and at this point, if you look at it objectively, the resumes aren’t even close.
Purdue, on the other hand does have a good case. It beat Michigan twice in close games, but also has a nice win over Arizona, as well as victories over Louisville and Butler. The Boilers at least have a two-seed resume, Michigan State doesn’t. At least if you forget about the talent.
I get the whole eye test thing. Michigan State has as much NBA talent as any team in the country. But that doesn’t mean its the best team. Just ask Miles Bridges and Cassius Winston how much they like playing the Wolverines.
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So if the committee gives Michigan State a better seed than UM, it will be highway robbery. The Spartans might look more talented, but their resume is weak. Even if they are Big Ten regular season champs.