The Time Is Now
Michigan's Big Ten regular season is down to 2 games. The Wolverines earned their 20th victory of the year on Wednesday evening against Northwestern. They find themselves 6th in the Big Ten standings. Perhaps most importantly, they are a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament. Michigan is currently a 9 seed in Joe Lundardi's latest projections.
Here is the good news: Michigan does not have a single bad loss this season. Even a loss this weekend would not constitute as a bad loss. Even Wisconsin, arguably the hottest team in the Big Ten right now, has an early season loss to Western Illinois. Last year, Michigan lost to NJIT and Eastern Michigan. Those losses do not exist on Michigan's resume this year.
The bad news: Michigan does not have a defining victory. Sure they have home wins against Purdue and Maryland and a neutral-site win against Texas. But Michigan is still searching for that one definable win that the committee cannot ignore.
They have certainly had their chances this season. Michigan had Iowa on the ropes several weeks ago in a game which the Wolverines arguably should have won. Michigan was in it until the very end against Maryland last week. But when the light has shown brightest on the Wolverines this year, particularly on the road, they have been unable to cash in.
Michigan has one last chance to do it on Saturday. Wisconsin has come full-circle this season; a turnaround that was completed following a road win against Iowa. If Michigan can find a way to steal a game from the Kohl Center, then I think it will be very hard for the committee to keep them out of the Big Dance.
Here is the good news: Michigan does not have a single bad loss this season. Even a loss this weekend would not constitute as a bad loss. Even Wisconsin, arguably the hottest team in the Big Ten right now, has an early season loss to Western Illinois. Last year, Michigan lost to NJIT and Eastern Michigan. Those losses do not exist on Michigan's resume this year.
The bad news: Michigan does not have a defining victory. Sure they have home wins against Purdue and Maryland and a neutral-site win against Texas. But Michigan is still searching for that one definable win that the committee cannot ignore.
They have certainly had their chances this season. Michigan had Iowa on the ropes several weeks ago in a game which the Wolverines arguably should have won. Michigan was in it until the very end against Maryland last week. But when the light has shown brightest on the Wolverines this year, particularly on the road, they have been unable to cash in.
Michigan has one last chance to do it on Saturday. Wisconsin has come full-circle this season; a turnaround that was completed following a road win against Iowa. If Michigan can find a way to steal a game from the Kohl Center, then I think it will be very hard for the committee to keep them out of the Big Dance.
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