1. Credit MSU. We punched them early and they got off the canvas and pulled away late. There was some parallels to our second win over MSU in 2014 (when we swept MSU and then lost to them in the B1G title game). In any event, it was a disappointing end to a very good regular season.
2. When Michigan fans look back on how we missed out on the B1G title, I don't think last night will be the game we remember. We talked in January about how we had six tough road games (UW, IU, Iowa, MD, Minny, MSU), and that we needed to split them. We did that. We only lost one home game (expecting 10-0 isn't realistic). The game where we stubbed our toe was PSU. We had four road games where we figured to win -- Rutgers, NW, Illinois, PSU. If we beat PSU, we beat a share of the title. If we also came with the intensity last night two weeks ago in Crisler, we win that game.
3. Right now, the odds say Michigan will be a 3 seed. There are 7 teams for which it will be very difficult for Michigan to get a higher seed - UVA, UNC, Duke, UK, Tennessee, MSU and Gonzaga. That leaves one 2 seed remaining, and realistically there are four teams vying for one spot -- Texas Tech, Houston, LSU and Michigan. I tend to think if Texas Tech wins the B12 title, that it will get the last two seed as the regular season and tournament champion. The game on Sunday likely won't matter for Michigan if it gets there. I actually think if you throw in Purdue as a 3 seed, that the top 3 lines are basically set. It's hard to see a path for another team to get on the 3 line.
4. As I said weeks ago, I don't really feel there is a huge difference between a 2/3 seed. You're on the same side of the bracket, where you're basically looking at a coinflip in the Sweet 16. The good news is we can't face MSU as a 2 seed, and does anyone really fear say Tennessee or Texas Tech in the third round?
5. Root for the underdogs in the small conference tournaments because this will directly impact our first round opponent. Generally speaking the 14 seeds are where you have a huge divide depending on what happens in conference tournaments. If the regular season champs win the conference tournament, the 14 seeds could be pretty strong. If you get chaos, you could have double digit loss mid-major opponent as a 14 seed. Obviously, we prefer the latter scenario.
6. While I much rather would have taken the regular season B1G title, I do believe the 3 seed is better path to the B1G tournament crown then the top seed. MSU will be facing Indiana/OSU winner in the quarterfinals, two team that will be playing for their tournament lives. The second round opponent is almost certainly Maryland or Wisconsin. That's not an easy road to the final. Now look at Michigan's road. We get Iowa -- a team which is reeling, and even if it's them, it would be playing 24 hours after playing a game at Illinois' frenetic pace. Or we'd get an Illinois team playing for the third straight day. While Penn State is dangerous, if we see them, that would be its fourth game in four days. If not, we are 3-0 against Purdue and Minnesota. I expect Michigan to be playing Sunday, and I wouldn't be surprised if the road is Illinois and Penn State to get there. I think MSU has to little to play for here, so I'll go with Michigan over Maryland in the final.
2. When Michigan fans look back on how we missed out on the B1G title, I don't think last night will be the game we remember. We talked in January about how we had six tough road games (UW, IU, Iowa, MD, Minny, MSU), and that we needed to split them. We did that. We only lost one home game (expecting 10-0 isn't realistic). The game where we stubbed our toe was PSU. We had four road games where we figured to win -- Rutgers, NW, Illinois, PSU. If we beat PSU, we beat a share of the title. If we also came with the intensity last night two weeks ago in Crisler, we win that game.
3. Right now, the odds say Michigan will be a 3 seed. There are 7 teams for which it will be very difficult for Michigan to get a higher seed - UVA, UNC, Duke, UK, Tennessee, MSU and Gonzaga. That leaves one 2 seed remaining, and realistically there are four teams vying for one spot -- Texas Tech, Houston, LSU and Michigan. I tend to think if Texas Tech wins the B12 title, that it will get the last two seed as the regular season and tournament champion. The game on Sunday likely won't matter for Michigan if it gets there. I actually think if you throw in Purdue as a 3 seed, that the top 3 lines are basically set. It's hard to see a path for another team to get on the 3 line.
4. As I said weeks ago, I don't really feel there is a huge difference between a 2/3 seed. You're on the same side of the bracket, where you're basically looking at a coinflip in the Sweet 16. The good news is we can't face MSU as a 2 seed, and does anyone really fear say Tennessee or Texas Tech in the third round?
5. Root for the underdogs in the small conference tournaments because this will directly impact our first round opponent. Generally speaking the 14 seeds are where you have a huge divide depending on what happens in conference tournaments. If the regular season champs win the conference tournament, the 14 seeds could be pretty strong. If you get chaos, you could have double digit loss mid-major opponent as a 14 seed. Obviously, we prefer the latter scenario.
6. While I much rather would have taken the regular season B1G title, I do believe the 3 seed is better path to the B1G tournament crown then the top seed. MSU will be facing Indiana/OSU winner in the quarterfinals, two team that will be playing for their tournament lives. The second round opponent is almost certainly Maryland or Wisconsin. That's not an easy road to the final. Now look at Michigan's road. We get Iowa -- a team which is reeling, and even if it's them, it would be playing 24 hours after playing a game at Illinois' frenetic pace. Or we'd get an Illinois team playing for the third straight day. While Penn State is dangerous, if we see them, that would be its fourth game in four days. If not, we are 3-0 against Purdue and Minnesota. I expect Michigan to be playing Sunday, and I wouldn't be surprised if the road is Illinois and Penn State to get there. I think MSU has to little to play for here, so I'll go with Michigan over Maryland in the final.
