1. This tops 2012-2013 as the most impressive start to Beilein era given the quality of the opposition and the extent to which we dominated. The 2012-2013 team started 7-0 and beat 3 NCAA teams in Kansas State, Pitt and NC State. None of those teams however made it to the round of 32, none of those games were a true road and Pitt was a very competitive game. This year we've waxed UNC, Villanova and Providence by an average of 21+ points, and Nova and UNC are better than any of the 2013 opponents.
2. Can we match and/or top the 16-0 start of 2012-2013? If we get by Purdue on Saturday in Crisler, we have an excellent shot. The toughest game prior to New Year is almost certainly at Northwestern, and let's be honest, Northwestern isn't anything more than a borderline NIT team (6-1 with a 20 point loss to Fresno). Get by that, and it would take a shocking upset for us not to be unbeaten as the calendar turns (yes we play South Carolina, but it's at home, and the Gamecocks are arguably worse than Western Michigan and Holy Cross). The first four B1G games in 2019 are PSU, Indiana, at Illinois and Northwestern. Again, Michigan will be sizeable favorite in all four, and if we continue to play defense like this, I'd be hard pressed to find a reason any of those games will be close. That takes us to Saturday, January 19th at Wisconsin. If I had to peg a first loss (if we beat Purdue Saturday), I'd guess here.
3. The best part about sweeping the non-conference portion of the schedule is it gives us significant room for error in B1G play. First, we'd have to suffer catastrophic injuries to miss the NCAA tournament, because that would probably require us to go 7-13 or worse in the B1G (consider Oklahoma went 7-11 or 6-12 last year and still made it as a 10 seed based on its work in December). But more importantly, if we finish even 12-8 or 13-7, we're a virtual lock for a top 4 seed in March. 14-6 or better gives us a chance at a 2 seed, and if we were to win the league, we'll be on the shortlist for a 1 seed in March.
4. We're going to have a high strength of schedule because the B1G looks loaded, far better than anticipated. Michigan appears to be the class of the league, and the best bet to reach the Final 4, but that doesn't mean we are necessarily best equipped to win the league. Wisconsin and Michigan State look like second NCAA weekend teams from here with the chance to go deeper if the draw is favorable. Iowa, Purdue, Nebraska and Ohio State also appear to be NCAA teams. Then you have teams like Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota which will also compete for bids. That only leaves Rutgers, Penn State, Northwestern and Illinois as teams that probably aren't contending for a bid but none of these teams look incompetent. This is a year where you need to protect your homecourt (drop one at most), and play just above .500 on the road to win the title. Road games will not be easy.
5. It's early, but this has a chance to be the best team of Beilein's tenure which is saying something. If the defense is this consistent, we're just going to beat teams because they can't score (this is how UVA wins 25+ every year). As the offense continues to develop, we're only going to get more dangerous.
6. Everyone should sit back and really enjoy this season. It has a chance to be special but it will go fast. Don't be in such a rush for March to get here.
2. Can we match and/or top the 16-0 start of 2012-2013? If we get by Purdue on Saturday in Crisler, we have an excellent shot. The toughest game prior to New Year is almost certainly at Northwestern, and let's be honest, Northwestern isn't anything more than a borderline NIT team (6-1 with a 20 point loss to Fresno). Get by that, and it would take a shocking upset for us not to be unbeaten as the calendar turns (yes we play South Carolina, but it's at home, and the Gamecocks are arguably worse than Western Michigan and Holy Cross). The first four B1G games in 2019 are PSU, Indiana, at Illinois and Northwestern. Again, Michigan will be sizeable favorite in all four, and if we continue to play defense like this, I'd be hard pressed to find a reason any of those games will be close. That takes us to Saturday, January 19th at Wisconsin. If I had to peg a first loss (if we beat Purdue Saturday), I'd guess here.
3. The best part about sweeping the non-conference portion of the schedule is it gives us significant room for error in B1G play. First, we'd have to suffer catastrophic injuries to miss the NCAA tournament, because that would probably require us to go 7-13 or worse in the B1G (consider Oklahoma went 7-11 or 6-12 last year and still made it as a 10 seed based on its work in December). But more importantly, if we finish even 12-8 or 13-7, we're a virtual lock for a top 4 seed in March. 14-6 or better gives us a chance at a 2 seed, and if we were to win the league, we'll be on the shortlist for a 1 seed in March.
4. We're going to have a high strength of schedule because the B1G looks loaded, far better than anticipated. Michigan appears to be the class of the league, and the best bet to reach the Final 4, but that doesn't mean we are necessarily best equipped to win the league. Wisconsin and Michigan State look like second NCAA weekend teams from here with the chance to go deeper if the draw is favorable. Iowa, Purdue, Nebraska and Ohio State also appear to be NCAA teams. Then you have teams like Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota which will also compete for bids. That only leaves Rutgers, Penn State, Northwestern and Illinois as teams that probably aren't contending for a bid but none of these teams look incompetent. This is a year where you need to protect your homecourt (drop one at most), and play just above .500 on the road to win the title. Road games will not be easy.
5. It's early, but this has a chance to be the best team of Beilein's tenure which is saying something. If the defense is this consistent, we're just going to beat teams because they can't score (this is how UVA wins 25+ every year). As the offense continues to develop, we're only going to get more dangerous.
6. Everyone should sit back and really enjoy this season. It has a chance to be special but it will go fast. Don't be in such a rush for March to get here.
