Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for UM and the NCAA Tournament

The Michigan basketball team is about ready to take part in the NCAA Tournament, here are three predictions for the Wolverines.

If you are fan of college hoops, than there isn’t a better time of year than March Madness. And if you are a Michigan basketball fan, the long wait to see your team play again, is just about over.

By the time Michigan basketball takes the floor against Montana in the NCAA Tournament, it will be 11 days since the Wolverines beat Purdue for the Big Ten championship. Of course, everyone has their opinions about long layoffs.

Some think they can be good, especially if a team needs to get healthy. On the other hand, when you are hot like the Wolverines were, with nine straight wins, the idea is that it’s better to keep playing right away.

Last season, Michigan used its momentum from the Big Ten Tournament title to get into the Sweet 16. UM knocked off Oklahoma State and Louisville to get into the second weekend and were one 3-pointer away from making the Elite 8.

But that was the 2017 NCAA Tournament. That doesn’t matter at all now. This Wolverines team has plenty of talent and with guys like Moe Wagner, Duncan Robinson, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Zavier Simpson, UM is tournament tested.

Those four guys played heavy minutes a year ago and were each essential in Michigan’s second straight Big Ten tourney title. John Beilein also knows a thing or two about winning NCAA games. He’s 13-7 with the Wolverines, including three trips to the second weekend.

Starting Thursday, this will be the Wolverines eighth trip to March Madness under Beilein, here’s what to expect.