1. Obviously, this isn't the typical non-conference schedule but it's not dreadful provided that we win. Four of the five opponents are within the top 150 in KenPom (outside of Oakland). Michigan really needs to sweep these five games though. A loss and even a .500 B1G record puts you at 14-11, and that may not be enough even if the league is great.
2. Schedule is conducive to a very fast start. Indeed, the first six games of the conference schedule, and 8 of the first 9 are against teams that project to be 10th or worse in the league. And the 9th is a home game. It's not out of the question that Michigan could be 11-3 or 12-2 in late January which would put us in great position to make the tournament -- 15-10 is probably the number we need to feel safe.
3. We had better start fast because the last 8 games are brutal. Two with Sparty, road games against OSU, Wisconsin and Indiana, and home games with Illinois, Iowa and Rutgers. Michigan doesn't want to be in position where it needs a 5-3 or 6-2 close to get to the tournament.
2. Schedule is conducive to a very fast start. Indeed, the first six games of the conference schedule, and 8 of the first 9 are against teams that project to be 10th or worse in the league. And the 9th is a home game. It's not out of the question that Michigan could be 11-3 or 12-2 in late January which would put us in great position to make the tournament -- 15-10 is probably the number we need to feel safe.
3. We had better start fast because the last 8 games are brutal. Two with Sparty, road games against OSU, Wisconsin and Indiana, and home games with Illinois, Iowa and Rutgers. Michigan doesn't want to be in position where it needs a 5-3 or 6-2 close to get to the tournament.
