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Every so often, when Michigan basketball does something exceptional, I am reminded of how far the program has come since my days as an undergraduate student. Crisler Arena was a literal tomb. Maize Rage student tickets were not hard to get. In fact, coach Tommy Amaker bought the student tickets for all returning season ticket holders in 2004-05. It was hard to generate any interest in the team given the lackluster results and NCAA investigation over booster payments.
Last night, at The World’s Most Famous Arena in the middle of New York City, the Michigan Wolverines defended their Big Ten Championship. Michigan knocked off Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan State and Purdue en route to another title and a trip back to the NCAA Tournament. The evening ended with Jim Delaney once again handing the Big Ten Championship trophy to John Beilein and the Wolverines - the same Wolverines who beat writers preidcted at the beginning of the season would finish in a tie for 5th place in the conference. Once again, Beilein proved why he is one of the most underrated coaches in the NCAA. He does more with the talent he gets than any other coach in the country - period. Assuming the Wolverines can remain relatively in tact, given the talent coming in next year, nobody should be underestimate where Michigan will finish.
Since the Big Ten decided to play at Madison Square Garden this year, the Wolverines and the rest of the conference will have an extra week of rest/prep before Selection Sunday on March 11. The big question for Wolverine fans is where Michigan will be seeded and where will they play. Little Caesars Arena in Detroit is hosting first and second round games this year. According to an article in the Detroit Free Press this morning, Michigan will only play at LCAif they are a Top-16 team and ranked ahead of Purdue and Michigan State.
This morning, Joe Lunardi’s most recent bracket projection had Michigan as a 3-seed - which would check the first box. But both Purdue and Michigan State remained ranked ahead of Michigan. Where does the committee have the Wolverines, Spartans, and Boilermakers? We’ll have to wait until Sunday to find out.
Last night, at The World’s Most Famous Arena in the middle of New York City, the Michigan Wolverines defended their Big Ten Championship. Michigan knocked off Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan State and Purdue en route to another title and a trip back to the NCAA Tournament. The evening ended with Jim Delaney once again handing the Big Ten Championship trophy to John Beilein and the Wolverines - the same Wolverines who beat writers preidcted at the beginning of the season would finish in a tie for 5th place in the conference. Once again, Beilein proved why he is one of the most underrated coaches in the NCAA. He does more with the talent he gets than any other coach in the country - period. Assuming the Wolverines can remain relatively in tact, given the talent coming in next year, nobody should be underestimate where Michigan will finish.
Since the Big Ten decided to play at Madison Square Garden this year, the Wolverines and the rest of the conference will have an extra week of rest/prep before Selection Sunday on March 11. The big question for Wolverine fans is where Michigan will be seeded and where will they play. Little Caesars Arena in Detroit is hosting first and second round games this year. According to an article in the Detroit Free Press this morning, Michigan will only play at LCAif they are a Top-16 team and ranked ahead of Purdue and Michigan State.
This morning, Joe Lunardi’s most recent bracket projection had Michigan as a 3-seed - which would check the first box. But both Purdue and Michigan State remained ranked ahead of Michigan. Where does the committee have the Wolverines, Spartans, and Boilermakers? We’ll have to wait until Sunday to find out.
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