The Michigan Wolverines are firmly in the NCAA Tournament field, and may even get a more favorable seed if they’re able to win the Big Ten Tournament Championship. Here is where we think Michigan will be seeded on Selection Sunday:
The Michigan Wolverines was hoping for a fresh start after three straight losses and some much needed rest entering the Big Ten Tournament. They got that and even more, picking up a huge Quad 1 victory on Friday night against Purdue in blowout fashion, 86-68. It was Michigan’s first victory by more than four points in more than two months (vs Penn State on Jan. 12).
Then, less than 24 hours later, point guard Tre Donaldson lifted the Wolverines to another Quad 1 victory over Maryland thanks to his game-winning layup with less than one second remaining. Those final two points were just enough to beat the Terrapins and advance to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game.
Following those games, many bracketologists like ESPN’s Joe Lunardi have updated their projected seedings for the NCAA Tournament. Before the Purdue game, Lunardi and many others had Michigan as a 6-seed. But as of Sunday mornin, the Wolverines are projected anywhere between a 3-seed and a 5-seed. A win over Wisconsin in the championship would obviously help their case of rising all the way up to the 3-seed line.
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm has already seen enough, as he is currently projecting Michigan to be a 3-seed and take on No. 14 Robert Morris in the first round. As of this writing, Lunardi has Michigan as a 4-seed facing off against No. 13 Akron.
Needless to say, the Wolverines are being viewed pretty favorably by the sports’ two best bracketologists after two signature wins this weekend. But what team is standing in their way of solidifying that 3-seed?
Look no further than the Iowa State Cyclones. Much like Michigan, Iowa State was limping a bit at the end of the regular season. The Cyclones lost three of their final five games before picking up one win in the Big 12 Tournament. They were eliminated by BYU just nine days after losing to the Cougars at home.
Iowa State’s NET ranking (No. 9) is higher than Michigan’s (No. 25). This is despite the Cyclones and Wolverines currently having the same overall record (24-9) and both having two Quad 2 losses. Additionally, Iowa State has less Quad 1 victories (10) than Michigan (11), and Michigan has the chance to have that number climb to 12 if it can beat Wisconsin.
Palm is on Michigan’s side, as he has Iowa State as a 4-seed. Lunardi, meanwhile, has Iowa State as the 3-seed and Michigan as the 4-seed in his Sunday morning projections.
At the end of the day, I believe Michigan will be a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Cyclones only lost to No. 1 Auburn by two points on a neutral site and went undefeated — including an 11-point win over Marquette — in the non-conference after that. Meanwhile, the Wolverines dropped some early-season games to teams much lower than them on the NET rankings (No. 40 Arkansas, No. 43 Oklahoma, No. 69 Wake Forest), something Iowa State is fortunate to not have on its resume.
Michigan is the hotter team among the two, but the selection committee has to take the entire season into consideration before making a final decision. Those early heartbreaking losses may come back to bite Michigan in the rear. As of now, I would anticipate the Cyclones being ranked just ahead of Michigan later tonight.
What do you think? Let us know down in the comments section below.