Michigan basketball gets early rank of No. 8 for 2012-13, also given 12-to-1 national title odds
With the offseason less than a day old, experts predict elite things for the Michigan basketball program in 2012-13.
So long as Trey Burke is back in uniform.
ESPN.com unveiled its first guess at a possible Top 25 poll for next season, and Michigan came in at No. 8.
"The Wolverines will be in the top 10 if Trey Burke returns to school," ESPN.com's Andy Katz wrote. "He should. He would join freshman stud Mitch McGary and Tim Hardaway Jr., and a loaded class that also includes ESPNU 100 recruits Glenn Robinson Jr., and Nik Stauskas.
"The Wolverines have had a few defections, and that has disrupted a bit of their flow. But John Beilein has figured out the Big Ten, so Michigan will once again be in the mix."
The Wolverines were one of four Big Ten teams in ESPN's top eight, as Indiana led the poll at No. 1, with Ohio State coming in at No. 5 and Michigan State at No. 7.
There's obviously more than enough time for this all to change in the coming months, and it could change in the coming weeks, with the NCAA deadline for NBA draft declaration happening on April 10, followed by the NBA-enforced deadline on April 29.
ESPN wasn't the only outlet to heap early praise on Michigan, though.
Pregame.com's R.J. Bell gave Michigan 12-to-1 odds to win the 2013 national championship.
Kentucky, who won the 2012 title on Monday, was given 6-to-1 odds.
Michigan State came in at 20-to-1.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Want to stay connected to Wolverine basketball in your Facebook newsfeed? “Like” AnnArbor.com's Michigan Basketball News & Views.
Comments
AA276
Wed, Apr 4, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
If A. Davis returns then no one has a shot at the title except UK.
mookienation
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
If Trey Burke doesn't return, we'll still be a good team. Maybe night QUITE as good as we'd be WITH him, but still very good. Probably better than we were this year. This is assuming Beilein has some sort of back up plan at point guard. We don't need a point guard that can score, like Trey, we just need someone who can distribute the ball and run plays. We'll have plenty of other scoring options. Having said all that, I think Trey Burke comes back for at least one more year. The 2012 NBA Draft really is loaded, especially compared to last years draft.
heartbreakM
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
Maybe Darius Morris can return and start playing basketball again instead of riding the pine.
sid haque
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 4:10 p.m.
Michigan has any chance of duplicating or doing better next season got to have Trey Burke in the line up w/o him Michigan will struggle.May be .500 team or less. I hope he is getting advise from somebody who is not interested in money but what is good for Trey Burke.Needs at least a year if not more in college to polish his game.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
"gave Michigan 12-to-1 odds to win the 2013 national championship. " If I was a betting man I would give those odds and bet no way.
Basic Bob
Tue, Apr 3, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.
Fourth place in the Big Ten - they're slipping.