1. You can file this in the "we will never know the answer to this" question, but put me down as one who thinks that if Caris Levert and Derrick Walton didn't get hurt, that Michigan would have made the field. First, I have a hard time believing that a team which made great strides in the last half of the B1G season wouldn't have made similar strides with its two best players. This team was typical Beilein -- better in March than in December. Further, based on the quality, er lack thereof, of teams that made the tournament (I'd bet Michigan even money over UCLA on a neutral court), I'm pretty sure 11-7 in the conference (with a neutral court win over Oregon, the #2 PAC 12 team) easily gets Michigan in the dance. Heck, 10-8 with two B1G tournament wins may have done it.
2. As for the NIT snub, I'm fine with it. First, the quality of teams in this NIT is terrible. I also think Michigan ended their season on a positive note. Blowing out Illinois in a virtual road game (Chicago isn't neutral when you play Illinois), and then battling a #1 seed is a good way to go out. Think about if we made the NIT. Anything short of winning it, and we're talking about how this team isn't that good -- you think you'd feel better if the season ended with say a 10 point loss to Richmond?
3. As far Levert returning, I hope he does, because you can never have enough good players, but out of all the early entry decision we've had in recent years, this one will sting the least. This is not Mitch McGary leaving and Michigan being forced to elevate a kid who they could have redshirted (Doyle) into serious minutes. This is not Darius Morris leaving early and UM having to start a freshman at the point from day one (that worked out though). Michigan has a lot of good, experienced options here. I personally think we will see a lot of Duncan Robinson-Zak Irvin-Dawkins at the 2-3-4 next year, but we could also play Walton at the 2 (with Albrecht at the 1) at times, not to mention MAAR. I would equate losing Levert to losing Hardaway at the end of 2013 - love to have him back, but we will be good.
4. Now if Levert does return, I wonder if Beilein approaches MAAR about redshirting. Its a rare situation for a kid who played, and played well, to sit out a year, but this is a special situation. If Levert and Walton come back, I just don't see more than 5-10 minutes at most for MAAR. On the other hand, if he sits out a year, he will likely see major playing time the next three years.
5. If there is one lesson that I hope this postseason snub teaches our guys, its the importance of starting fast next year. The last two years, Michigan has really put themselves behind the 8 ball by losing 4+ games in the non-conference. Two years ago, it cost us a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Last year, it certainly cost us an NIT bid, and maybe more. No one is saying that Michigan needs to go 12-0 next November and December, like the 2013 team did, but if we could start 10-3 or 11-2 that would go a long way to allowing us to get the type of seed we all want next March.
6. As far as the B1G teams in the NCAA, it will be interesting. Other than Wisconsin, the other teams have a hard road to the second weekend. If I had to pick a sleeper it would be Iowa. This is it for that group. They've been together for four years, and they need to make their run now. They match up well with Davidson (no size), and Gonzaga is beatable.
7. As far as next year's preseason rankings, I think Michigan will be in the 20 to 25 range if Levert returns. I'd expect Maryland to be tabbed the favorite, with the next group consisting of some order of Michigan St, Michigan, Purdue, Wisconsin and Indiana. OSU has the best class coming in, but losing Russell is huge. The two coaches on the hot seat next year will be Crean and Groce. Crean will need to get Indiana back to the second weekend in the tournament, and Groce has to get Illinois into the upper division now.
8. Total gut feeling here. I could see Richard Pitino bolting the Twin Cities. If he doesn't do it now and doesn't make the tournament next year, he'll be squarely on the hot seat entering year 4.
This post was edited on 3/16 1:53 PM by MiamiWolv
This post was edited on 3/16 1:53 PM by MiamiWolv
2. As for the NIT snub, I'm fine with it. First, the quality of teams in this NIT is terrible. I also think Michigan ended their season on a positive note. Blowing out Illinois in a virtual road game (Chicago isn't neutral when you play Illinois), and then battling a #1 seed is a good way to go out. Think about if we made the NIT. Anything short of winning it, and we're talking about how this team isn't that good -- you think you'd feel better if the season ended with say a 10 point loss to Richmond?
3. As far Levert returning, I hope he does, because you can never have enough good players, but out of all the early entry decision we've had in recent years, this one will sting the least. This is not Mitch McGary leaving and Michigan being forced to elevate a kid who they could have redshirted (Doyle) into serious minutes. This is not Darius Morris leaving early and UM having to start a freshman at the point from day one (that worked out though). Michigan has a lot of good, experienced options here. I personally think we will see a lot of Duncan Robinson-Zak Irvin-Dawkins at the 2-3-4 next year, but we could also play Walton at the 2 (with Albrecht at the 1) at times, not to mention MAAR. I would equate losing Levert to losing Hardaway at the end of 2013 - love to have him back, but we will be good.
4. Now if Levert does return, I wonder if Beilein approaches MAAR about redshirting. Its a rare situation for a kid who played, and played well, to sit out a year, but this is a special situation. If Levert and Walton come back, I just don't see more than 5-10 minutes at most for MAAR. On the other hand, if he sits out a year, he will likely see major playing time the next three years.
5. If there is one lesson that I hope this postseason snub teaches our guys, its the importance of starting fast next year. The last two years, Michigan has really put themselves behind the 8 ball by losing 4+ games in the non-conference. Two years ago, it cost us a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Last year, it certainly cost us an NIT bid, and maybe more. No one is saying that Michigan needs to go 12-0 next November and December, like the 2013 team did, but if we could start 10-3 or 11-2 that would go a long way to allowing us to get the type of seed we all want next March.
6. As far as the B1G teams in the NCAA, it will be interesting. Other than Wisconsin, the other teams have a hard road to the second weekend. If I had to pick a sleeper it would be Iowa. This is it for that group. They've been together for four years, and they need to make their run now. They match up well with Davidson (no size), and Gonzaga is beatable.
7. As far as next year's preseason rankings, I think Michigan will be in the 20 to 25 range if Levert returns. I'd expect Maryland to be tabbed the favorite, with the next group consisting of some order of Michigan St, Michigan, Purdue, Wisconsin and Indiana. OSU has the best class coming in, but losing Russell is huge. The two coaches on the hot seat next year will be Crean and Groce. Crean will need to get Indiana back to the second weekend in the tournament, and Groce has to get Illinois into the upper division now.
8. Total gut feeling here. I could see Richard Pitino bolting the Twin Cities. If he doesn't do it now and doesn't make the tournament next year, he'll be squarely on the hot seat entering year 4.
This post was edited on 3/16 1:53 PM by MiamiWolv
This post was edited on 3/16 1:53 PM by MiamiWolv
