Team of Destiny? Wolverines Run Still Going

I haven't blogged enough about this tournament run.  I didn't write up about Kansas or Florida.  My fault folks.  But the excitement and disbelief of this run has overwhelmed me to be completely honest.  But it's time to do my "job."

Michigan's win over Kansas was one for the ages.  Down 14 in the second half, down 10 with just over two minutes left, the team did not quit.  Trey Burke hit the most absurd shot I have ever seen.  Ever.  From way down town to tie the game late.  Stone cold.

The game against Florida was a bit shocking.  I had a feeling Michigan would win; Florida hadn't played a non-double-digit seed the tournament.  But I did not expect Michigan to come out and punch them in the mouth like that and then keep at it.  Florida was never in the game, besides when it was 0-0.

Now that brings us to last night.  Syracuse had shut down teams, averaging a tournament low 49.5 ppg against.  The 2-3 zone of Boeheim and the Orange was well-talked about.  The length of the players, how would Burke fair penetrating?  How would the Michigan shooters handle the close-out length and speed of the Syracuse defenders?

Well in a way, the answer to the first question was "not well."  Burke struggled offensively, hitting only one shot from the field (a really deep three.)  But Burke did make some, not all, his free throws late.  Michigan still did it's best from the line to keep Syracuse in it, missing nine all together.

The three point shooters did get the job done.  They shot 33% (8-24) which doesn't sound all that pretty, but eight three pointers made is what's key.  24 points from beyond the arc will go a long way in helping any team win a ball game, and it sure helped Michigan over come the 2-3 zone.

Give John Beilein credit, who gets his first win over Boeheim in his 10th try.  Beilein had that team ready to play against that zone.  Given a week to prepare, he made sure the players were ready to shoot over close outs and lengthy arms, doing drills where players held what looked to me like a pad on a stick, to simulate the close out.

But the key to this game, in my eyes, was the play of Mitch McGary.  Coach Beilein said all week they had Mitch running passing and shooting drills from the elbow, the ideal place to have the ball to beat a two three zone.  And his stat line (10 points, 12 boards, and 6 assists) showed that all that extra work really payed off.

Next up for the Wolverines, a date with Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals, the number one overal seed of the tournament.  Louisville loves to full court pressure and force turnovers.  This game should be an up and down game.

And here's why, I'm taking... MICHIGAN.  Louisville relies on turnovers and pressure.  Michigan has the guards to break pressure in Burke, Hardaway, Albrecht, and Stauskus.  Michigan doesn't turn the ball over, having one of the lowest turnover margins in the country.

The up-tempo game that Louisville wants to play is also the pace Michigan wants to play.  And I believe the key to this game will be guard play.  Siva and Smith are the second best backcourt in the country... Behind Burke and Hardway.  I'm taking the Wolverines in this one 77-72 in what should be an up and down thriller.

GO BLUE!

Bearded Bracketology: Let the Madness Begin

Selection Sunday.  It's that day that every team works for, whether it's the midmajor teams hoping for a chance or the top teams battle for the top seed and a beneficial regional placement.

It's like that first day of spring.  The grind of the season is over and college basketball starts a new.

This year should shape up to be a dandy of a tournament, with no real top team and a lot of good solid teams in the field.  Anything can happen. (Well, except maybe a 16 seed winning a game. Some day...)

Although most sports bloggers will probably tell you their final four, upsets and list off reasons why they're right.  Truth is, they don't know jack... and guess what? Neither do I.  The tournament is a crap shoot and that's what makes it great.

So in my expert opinion, here's some things to watch for in the 2013 rendition of the NCAA tournament:

• Watch the games.  They're gonna be good.  Even the low seeds will give the higher seeds trouble this year.  Minnesota an 11, Oregon's a 12, South Dakota State has one of the best players in college basketball, and you've probably never heard of him. (Nate Wolters)
• 1 seeds on upset alert.  The top seeds of this tournament aren't ever Final Four locks, this year especially.  Gonzaga hasn't been tested, Indiana went through the grind of B1G ball, Louisville struggled mightily for a stretch and Kansas could face matchups that will give them fits.
• The Big Ten.  The Big Ten has been hailed as the best conference in basketball this season, will it translate to their first national champion since Michigan State in 2000?

In terms of our two local schools, Michigan State got a draw that really could favor them.  They should handle Valpo no problem, but Memphis will be a challenge.  The 30 win team from Conference USA has no shortage of athleticism, but I don't expect this Izzo team to fall flat early.  The Spartans then could potentially face Duke, and Coach K will not want to see this Izzo team in March.  MSU would be a matchup nightmare for the Blue Devils and could definitely get to the Elite 8 over the 2 seeded Duke boys.  

Ultimately, I expect MSU to make to the Sweet 16.  I haven't decided who I am going to officially take in the Duke/MSU matchup, but just for S's and G's, I'm going Sparty.  But Elite 8 is as far as I'll take them.  But I'm usually wrong.

Now Michigan on the other hand, has themselves a tougher draw, but one that could work in their favor.  Should be a fun matchup against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.  Two of the best point guards in the country with Trey Burke and Nate Wolters.  Michigan has the better team so should win... SHOULD.  After that they'll probably have a date with VCU.  That will be a great game to watch; two teams that match up well with each other.  I will take Michigan in that one, but it could go either way.

Michigan to the Sweet 16.  With the high expectations going into the season and the high ranking maintained most of the year, if that's the round the run stopped many fans would see it as a failure.  And the angry, critical part of me wants to agree, but I think we saw how good this Michigan team really is as the season unfolded.  Talented, but not all there and missing that killer instinct.  Michigan has that potential to upset Kansas, but I'll take the Jayhwaks in that matchup and a Sweet 16 exit for the Wolverines.

But the thing that I care most about, is WHERE ARE MY HAWKEYES???? COME ON HAWKEYE NATION GOT JOBBED!!!! HAWKEYE UP HAWKEYE UP!

***** 

I'M NOT DONE YET!

I am hosting an online bracket through ESPN, so if you would like to join in the Bearded Bracketology, let me know and I will hook you up with an invite and the secret password.  It'd be greatly appreciated if you joined in, and plus it's free.  You know you're going to do at least ONE bracket, why not make it a Bearded one?

Also, I would like to do a post about my predictions and the others in this pool.  If you would like to do a quick, one-two paragraph blurb about your final four/winner and local school prediction and have it featured in my blog, let me know and send me a write up.  I think it'd be a cool feature, and you get to show off how much smarter you are than me.