Michigan Basketball gets 3 seed, but deserved to play in Detroit

Michigan basketball got a three seed from the NCAA Tournament selection committee, but the Wolverines still have a reason to complain.

March Madness basically got underway Sunday, with the annual selection show as Michigan basketball and the rest of the country finally found out 68-team bracket.

Of course, it was more stressful for some teams than others. Michigan basketball, having won the Big Ten Tournament, knew it was getting in with an automatic bid. Others like Michigan State and Purdue, also had nothing to worry about, they knew at least they were getting in.

Over the past few weeks, Michigan’s nine-game win streak has jumped their seed from the 6-8 range, to the 3-4 range. Most experts had them getting a three seed and that’s what happened.

Michigan was awarded a three seed and they will play their first round game in the West Region in Wichita, Kansas. The Wolverines will play Montana, the Big Sky champion. That’s all fine. The weird thing though, is how Michigan State got a three seed, but gets to play in Detroit.

The committee was right not to give the Spartans a better seed. Michigan State won the Big Ten regular season title. UM won the tournament title. The Wolverines also beat the Spartans twice away from home, by double digits.

Purdue is the two seed in Detroit in the East Region. Michigan State is from the Midwest. The system is supposed to reward teams and while UM isn’t that far from him, the edge of playing near home would have been nice.

Michigan Wolverines Basketball

The other issue is that if the Wolverines get the Sweet 16, they will have to travel all the way to Los Angeles. Michigan State on the other hand just has to go Omaha. However, considering Kansas could be waiting in the regional final, it might be not so great.

The rest of the bracket isn’t too bad though. Xavier, the one seed in the bracket is ranked below Michigan in the Kenpom rankings. North Carolina, the two seed, is two spots above. The Tar Heels also beat UM handily on its home floor in December.

Yet, when it comes to the matchup with Montana, the Wolverines got a tough draw. The Grizzlies, who are a 14 seed, are actually ranked higher than some 12 seed in the Kenpom rankings. The other UM (Griz) sits in the top 100 in both adjusted off and defense.

Houston and San Diego State, the potential third-round matchup (round of 32) are also both top-50 teams. The Aztecs are No. 50, Houston is ranked 16th.

All in all, Michigan basketball can’t complain. It got a three seed and on paper, is as good as any team in the region. It will take an incredible run to get to the Final Four, but UM just won four games in four days, so anything is possible.

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We will have much more on the Wolverines opening game vs Montana. It will be Thursday night at 9:50 EST. TBS will be the broadcaster.