I don't know if this season is a success or not, but after going ten straight seasons without a bid, I am grateful to see Michigan play in the NCAA. And there were quite a few other programs who had a much worse day than Michigan yesterday. That said, there were a few things a victory could have done for the program in the short term.
- It is not a given Michigan would beat SFA, but recent history shows once that 14 seed pulls the upset, they have trouble maintaining the level of play through the weekend. 11 seed UCLA took care of 14 UAB easily last year. 11 seed Tennessee took care of 14 Mercer, after the Bears shocked Duke, back in 2014. My guess is Michigan would have beat SFA similar to the Texas game back in the Bahamas.
- In turn a S16 appearance would have allowed all of the media focus in this state to be centered on Michigan. While Michigan would still be in a solid underdog role to probably Xavier, it would have been good for the program to see their name discussed and not Michigan State. Since Tom Izzo's arrival at MSU, only twice in his 21 full seasons has Michigan had the media all to themselves for a week. The first was way back in 1996 when Michigan was in the NCAA, MSU in the NIT and the Wolverines were the alpha dog program. The second was the 2013 Final Four. Not a program changer, but it could help turn some heads for the younger kids.
- Going forward a S16 appearance probably helps Michigan establish themselves as a preseason top 25 team next year. When the media is looking at next year, they would be seeing a S16 team with all of their pieces returning (similar in a way to the 2012 NC State team that was an 11 seed, went to the S16, returned most of the team, added a stellar recruiting class and was preseason #6 in the 2012-13 season). I wouldn't expect Michigan to get top 10 consideration next year, but they probably nestle in around #20. Now the media will view them more/less as a team that barely makes the NCAA, but with all their pieces back next season. I would anticipate Michigan to be close to the top 25, but in the others receiving votes come November. Around #28 or so to start the season. Is it a big deal? Not too much, but recruits like seeing if a team is ranked.
- North Carolina at Michigan? ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The original Jumpman school vs a new addition to the family? .... I don't see it happening. Looking at the home/away docket from last year, Michigan is ready to host again. Teams like Duke and Carolina are on the road. I fully expect Duke to visit Indiana as the Hoosiers will be a top 25 squad and the Blue Devils have not been to Assembly Hall since 2005 (meanwhile Carolina went to IU back in 2012). The Tar Heels though need to find a landing spot. A preseason top 25 Michigan squad would be a nice sell, but that is probably not happening. I expect Carolina to play either at a top 20 Wisconsin (those two have never met at Kohl) or a retooled Maryland team that is on par with Michigan next season, but has rivalry history. Meanwhile, expect Michigan to get someone like Pitt (although those two are in the NYC tournament together), Syracuse or NC State to visit Crisler unless there is a shakeup in teams playing twice in a row at home or away.
- It is not a given Michigan would beat SFA, but recent history shows once that 14 seed pulls the upset, they have trouble maintaining the level of play through the weekend. 11 seed UCLA took care of 14 UAB easily last year. 11 seed Tennessee took care of 14 Mercer, after the Bears shocked Duke, back in 2014. My guess is Michigan would have beat SFA similar to the Texas game back in the Bahamas.
- In turn a S16 appearance would have allowed all of the media focus in this state to be centered on Michigan. While Michigan would still be in a solid underdog role to probably Xavier, it would have been good for the program to see their name discussed and not Michigan State. Since Tom Izzo's arrival at MSU, only twice in his 21 full seasons has Michigan had the media all to themselves for a week. The first was way back in 1996 when Michigan was in the NCAA, MSU in the NIT and the Wolverines were the alpha dog program. The second was the 2013 Final Four. Not a program changer, but it could help turn some heads for the younger kids.
- Going forward a S16 appearance probably helps Michigan establish themselves as a preseason top 25 team next year. When the media is looking at next year, they would be seeing a S16 team with all of their pieces returning (similar in a way to the 2012 NC State team that was an 11 seed, went to the S16, returned most of the team, added a stellar recruiting class and was preseason #6 in the 2012-13 season). I wouldn't expect Michigan to get top 10 consideration next year, but they probably nestle in around #20. Now the media will view them more/less as a team that barely makes the NCAA, but with all their pieces back next season. I would anticipate Michigan to be close to the top 25, but in the others receiving votes come November. Around #28 or so to start the season. Is it a big deal? Not too much, but recruits like seeing if a team is ranked.
- North Carolina at Michigan? ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The original Jumpman school vs a new addition to the family? .... I don't see it happening. Looking at the home/away docket from last year, Michigan is ready to host again. Teams like Duke and Carolina are on the road. I fully expect Duke to visit Indiana as the Hoosiers will be a top 25 squad and the Blue Devils have not been to Assembly Hall since 2005 (meanwhile Carolina went to IU back in 2012). The Tar Heels though need to find a landing spot. A preseason top 25 Michigan squad would be a nice sell, but that is probably not happening. I expect Carolina to play either at a top 20 Wisconsin (those two have never met at Kohl) or a retooled Maryland team that is on par with Michigan next season, but has rivalry history. Meanwhile, expect Michigan to get someone like Pitt (although those two are in the NYC tournament together), Syracuse or NC State to visit Crisler unless there is a shakeup in teams playing twice in a row at home or away.
