Michigan basketball NCAA Tournament rooting guide: March 12
Michigan basketball no longer controls its own destinty in the 2022 NCAA Tournament field, leading to a more stressful wait for Selection Sunday than expected. Unfortunately, things have only gotten more difficult since the loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament.
We put out a rooting guide for Friday’s games that could make Michigan’s road easier. The Wolverines did not get the help they were looking for with Indiana, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech all getting victories. As a result, Michigan moved from Joe Lunardi’s “Last Four Byes” to “Last Four In” with teams on the bubble still controlling their own destinty heading into Saturday. The Wolverines are still in the field in 133 of 142 projections on Bracket Matrix. It is just a matter of where, and when, they wind up playing.
More help is needed if the Wolverines are to avoid the First Four. It still seems like the NCAA Tournament is a good possibility, but chaos defines this month. Buckle up.
These are the teams Michigan should be rooting for on Saturday.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas, 1 p.m., ESPN
Root for: Arkansas
The Aggies are still on the outside looking in, but they still control their own destiny and have a top 15 opponent in front of them on Saturday. The longer A&M stays alive, the further they solidify their case for a bid. Lunardi currently has them in the “Next Four Out,” but things are far from settled here. Michigan needs Arkansas to razor its way through this game.
Indiana vs. Iowa, 1 p.m., CBS
Root for: Iowa
There’s a good chance that Indiana’s win over Illinois helped them punch a ticket into the NCAA Tournament field. They have lept above Michigan and are now in the “Last Four Byes” category with the Wolverines booted to the First Four. The argument can be made to root for Indiana here, which would put them out of the bubble most likely. However, that also pushes other teams down. Look for Iowa to keep rolling on Saturday.
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Memphis vs. SMU, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Root for: Memphis
SMU is right in line with Michigan in Lunardi’s projections, but is still playing and has a shot at a resume win over Memphis.
Virginia Tech vs. Duke, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Root for: Duke
Virginia Tech could be the biggest potential thorn in Michigan’s side the rest of the weekend. The Hokies are right on the edge of the First Four and could hammer home their case with an ACC title win over Duke. Michigan fans might not be crazy with the idea of rooting for Mike Krzyzewski, but business is business right now.
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. Saint Louis and Davidson could be worth keeping an eye on with the Billikins listed as one of Lunardi’s “Last Four Out.”
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.
