3 things we learned in Michigan basketball loss to Purdue
NCAA chances are on life support
The next two games for Michigan basketball are on the road and they are must-win games. The Wolverines need at least one.
Winning on the road in the Big Ten isn’t easy. Maryland is a perfect example of that. Michigan basketball beat the Terps by 35 points and then lost on the road.
The schedule isn’t easy. Michigan needs to likely win eight of the next 11 games to make the tournament. That would put the Wolverines at 13-7 in the Big Ten. Since it doesn’t have any great non-conference wins outside of Pitt, I think that’s needed.
Michigan has six road games and five games left at home. The easiest path is sweeping the rest of the home games which are Ohio State, Nebraska, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan State, and then splitting the six road games.
Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Northwestern, and Penn State are the road games. That’s why Michigan really needs to win these next two games to get back on track.
Winning three of those road games is going to be difficult. That’s why beating Northwestern and Penn State — two winnable games — is essential. If Michigan baskeball can do that, I’ll believe an NCAA tournament berth is possible.
Next. 9 potential candidates to replace Matt Weiss. dark
Right now, the Wolverines just don’t feel like an NCAA tournament team.