Michigan basketball team's 5 key games
Five games on the Michigan basketball team's schedule could determine whether this team is an NCAA tournament team or not. These five games could also ultimately determine Michigan's seeding, as well. Here, in order of when they happen, are Michigan's critical five.
Nov. 26 vs. Creighton (Old Spice Classic): The Blue Jays are always a team that ends up around the NCAA tournament bubble. They are well coached by Dana Altman and present a surprisingly stern first-round test for the likely favorite in the Orlando Thanksgiving tournament. Get past Creighton, and it'll be an early quality win for the Wolverines.
Dec. 19 at Kansas: Playing the No. 1 team in the country always brings a lot of attention. Michigan could be undefeated heading into Allen Field House. Or, in a disaster scenario, they could be a four-loss team (two Old Spice losses, at Utah and Boston College). Either way, this game could be a huge momentum swing if Michigan picks up the win over the preseason top team.
Jan. 14 vs. Indiana: Michigan should win, but it is the ultimate trap game with the single toughest stretch of the season (vs. Connecticut, at Wisconsin, at Purdue, vs. Michigan State) following it. If the Wolverines get caught looking past the probably pesky Hoosiers, it could signal a fast downward spiral.
Jan. 26 vs. Michigan State: The Spartans represent the end of that brutal four-game stretch and present a chance to knock off the Big Ten's top team. Considering the return game is on senior day for the Spartans (otherwise known as the Raymar Morgan day of excitement in Spartyland), that'll be a tough day to pull out a win. Splitting with Michigan State could mean a high seed in March.
Feb. 27/28 at Ohio State: The day of this game hasn't been set yet but it could be a battle for the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten tournament and a Top 4 seed in the NCAA tournament. Depending what happens around the league, it could be a matchup between the league's two Player of the Year favorites in Evan Turner and Manny Harris. Plus, a win over the Buckeyes would give the Michigan basketball team confidence heading into East Lansing.
Here's a link to Michigan's complete schedule.
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
Jim Knight
Fri, Nov 13, 2009 : 4:17 p.m.
A comment was removed because of a personal attack.
YHS78
Fri, Nov 13, 2009 : 9:21 a.m.
Let's be serious, Michael: 1. When you actually have last year's player of the year returning to the conference, it's rather silly to say that a game involving two other guys "could be a matchup between the league's two Player of the Year favorites." 2. And be real about the season-ending game. However much "confidence" Michigan may or may not gain from their game at Ohio State, you and I both know that the season finale in East Lansing is going to be yet another massacre, exactly as EVERY game in East Lansing has been ever since Ed Martin left the program.