CBS Selection Sunday crew discusses how Michigan avoided being one of last teams in NCAA Tournament

Michigan can now breathe a sigh of relief, as it was one of 36 teams to receive an at-large big to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The Wolverines earned an 11 seed in the South Region, drawing a matchup with Colorado State in the round of 64.

After finishing with a 17-14 record and losing their opening game in the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines were clearly on the bubble. However, when the committee’s last four teams in were revealed on the Selection Sunday broadcast, Michigan was not among them.

After Seth Davis expressed shock that the Wolverines were perhaps a safer bet to make the tournament than many realized, Clark Kellogg attempted to explain the committee’s reasoning.

“I’m surprised that Michigan is no where on this list,” Davis said.

“It is (a surprise), but the strength of schedule,” Kellog responded. “We know how the committee views strength of nonconference schedule, and that carried the day. As you’ve often said, when teams are on the bubble, you’re being compared to other teams and nobody is without more significant flaws than the rest of the field. Strength of nonconference schedule, who you’ve beaten, those things can carry a lot of weight.”

Michigan faced several NCAA Tournament teams in nonconference play this season, including Arizona, North Carolina, San Diego State and Seton Hall. The Wolverines finished with a 5-10 record against quadrant 1 teams, and picked up valuable victories late in the season against Purdue and Ohio State.

It has been a rollercoaster year for Michigan, which saw coach Juwan Howard suspended for the final five games of the regular season after he threw a punch at an assistant coach on Feb. 21 against Wisconsin. The Wolverines went 3-2 in those games, which was pretty on par with its performance the rest of the season. They never had a winning streak larger than three games, struggling to gain any real momentum in Howard’s third season.

But now Michigan will get a fresh start as it looks to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. It will first have to get through a Colorado State team that finished with a 25-5 record out of the Mountain West. If they win that game, they’ll likely face a matchup against three-seeded Tennessee in the next round.

Tip off for the game between Michigan and Colorado State is set for Thursday at the Gainsbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.