Michigan basketball NCAA Tournament bid rooting guide: March 11
Michigan basketball came into the Big Ten Tournament with a chance to solidify its claim to an NCAA Tournament bid. Unfortunately, it made things more difficult by blowing a 17-point lead to Indiana and placing itself back on the bubble.
Most publications and pundits had the Wolverines in the NCAAs regardless of Thursday’s result. However, the loss opens the possibility of having to start in the First Four in Dayton. Michigan welcomes any challenge whenever presented, but a trip straight to next weekend would be most ideal.
Our Clayton Sayfie wrote earlier today on why Michigan should feel “reasonably confident” in its NCAA Tournament resume. Help is always welcome from teams across college basketball.
There are a few results that could give the Wolverines some oxygen heading into Selection Sunday. Here is what Michigan fans should be rooting for on Friday.
Indiana vs. Illinois, 11:30 a.m., Big Ten Network
Root for: Illinois
Michigan’s tournament resume as it currently stands is better than Indiana’s. They will be kicking themselves for letting that game get away on Thursday, but it no longer matters. The Wolverines could use an Illini victory to cut off any oxygen the Hoosiers might have on the tournament bubble.
Texas A&M vs. Auburn, 12 p.m., ESPN
Root for: Auburn
Texas A&M is currently on Joe Lunardi’s “Next Four Out,” so they are definitely on the outside looking in. Despite that, Michigan has to be on alert for bid stealers in the conference tournaments. They will be rooting hard for the Tigers on Friday.
Iowa vs. Rutgers, approx. 2 p.m., ESPN
Root for: Iowa
Rutgers needs another win to feel good about its NCAA Tournament resume. They are in a similar position to Michigan despite having a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament. The Scarlet Knights put Iowa in the meatgrinder and won 48-46 earlier this season and will need to do something similar on Friday. The Wolverines could use another Iowa onslaught of offensive production to kick Rutgers off the bubble.
Top 10
- 1
Underranked SEC
Lane Kiffin protests CFP rankings
- 2New
Saban chirped
Big 12 comes after GOAT
- 3
DJ Lagway
Fan flashes Florida QB to Pope
- 4Hot
Strength of Schedule
CFP Top 25 SOS ranking
- 5
Alabama needs a prayer
Tide can make the CFP but needs help
Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Root for: North Carolina
Virginia Tech is in Lunardi’s “First Four Out” and a win on Friday night be what they need to have a resume that stacks up well enough with the rest of the bubble. A North Carolina victory not only hurts Virginia Tech but also keeps Michigan’s loss to UNC in December in a quality category.
Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech, 9:30 p.m., ESPN2
Root for: Texas Tech
The Sooners might be the sneakiest of teams to watch. They do not have the resume that Michigan does, but a win over Baylor on Thursday night has breathed new life into their resume. They already have a win over Texas Tech under their belts, so there is precedent here. Wolverines fans will be rooting hard for the Red Raiders.
Other peritinent Michigan results
The most consequential games of the day are covered above. The most important thing to keep an eye on in all the conference tournaments is for the bid-stealers that are not on the tournament bubble.
For now, the Wolverines sit home and wait for Selection Sunday. The NCAA Tournament field will be revealed on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on CBS.
