Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for UM and the NCAA Tournament

Can Michigan conquer North Carolina? Xavier? Gonzaga?

As a three seed, Michigan basketball is expected to make the second weekend of the tournament. Anything less than that would be a major disappointment. But, after winning those first two games, the Wolverines will sort of become an underdog again.

Obviously, it’s hard to call a team currently ranked 7th in the AP and Coaches polls an underdog, but against the Tar Heels, UM probably would be. In large part, because of North Carolina’s convincing win over Michigan early in the season.

The thing is, that game was months ago and this Michigan basketball team has improved a lot since then. Eli Brooks was starting back then, now he doesn’t even play. Isaiah Livers is also a starter and Jordan Poole plays heavy minutes.

On top of that, Wagner, Rahkman, Simpson and Robinson are playing as well as they have all season long. Michigan is good enough to beat North Carolina, but will it?

Sadly, I don’t see it happening. To be frank, I hate picking Michigan (and possibly jinxing them) but this was is tough. I see it as a toss-up game, one that the Wolverines probably lose in a similar fashion to Oregon last year.

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This Michigan team is capable of going all the way, it’s just going to need a Trey Burke like moment to get the Final Four and that’s just hard to predict. Michigan-North Carolina is a 50-50 game, but if the Wolverines get past the Heels, then they will make the Final Four in San Antonio.