Although the Wolverines did not play their style of ball in Chicago, the NCAA tournament provides another opportunity to correct that hiccup. Sometimes a bump in the road can turn into a moment of elation with six more wins. Here are three reasons why Michigan basketball can make it to the final Four in April.
They got the easiest draw of all the number one seeds
No.1 overall seed Duke is in a region that is loaded with some of the nation's most accomplished coaches who can account for a win because of their coaching alone. Arizona drew Purdue, Gonzaga, and Wisconsin, and the potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. While Florida is the weakest top seed of all four. The NCAA tournament committee did Michigan a favor by giving it a Texas Tech squad that is without its star player. Alabama's Aden Holloway was arrested and could miss the sweet 16 if Alabama gets that far, which means it should be smooth sailing to the elite eight, right?
Michigan's toughest test would have to be either Iowa State or Virginia in the bout that will decide who goes to Indianapolis, if they all survive that far. The Cyclones and Cavaliers are a combined 4-0 against Big Ten teams this year. So a trip to the final four is very believable, but Michigan has never made the last weekend as a number one seed.
Odds are heavily in Michigan's favors
Going through multiple sites to see who the oddsmakers think will make it to Indy, Michigan, is the consensus second or third-best option to get there. Some forecasters are picking Iowa State, but over 2 million brackets have Michigan reaching the final four on ESPN's tournament challenge. That number should only grow by Thursday. Some odds favor Duke, with Michigan right behind them. Many will consider it an all-time collapse if one or all three don't make it there.
Duke and Michigan have the most wins over fellow tournament teams than everybody else this season
Had Michigan beaten Purdue or Wisconsin the first time or Duke, then the Wolverines would have had the most wins at 17. Instead, they share the total at 16 with Duke. The next closest in the region Alabama is with 11, which also beat two Big Ten teams.
Texas Tech holds two wins over Duke and Arizona, but comes in limping to the big dance. Three out of the last four No. 1 seeds in the Midwest have survived until the Final Four, which bodes well for Michigan basketball, too. For some out there, Michigan is still considered to have the best resume because of where they won and all of those blowout victories over ranked foes. That's battle-tested to the bone.