What do you predict for balance of basketball season
I'm curious what you think the outlook is for the balance of the basketball season. So far, the team is 9 - 3. Our next two games shouldn't have been scheduled: they are terrible in ranking, and will bring down Michigan's RPI. Still, Michigan should finish the calendar year at 11 - 3.
Looking ahead, the Big 10 schedule begins in January. I think Michigan will struggle to beat either MSU or Purdue. If true, that would be 3 losses, plus the December loss to OSU. Do you see any other losses in the Big 10? The only other loss I really see is perhaps against Maryland on the road. That would give UM a record of 13 - 5 in the Big 10. This would mean 23 - 7 overall, and third place in the Big 10.
I suppose Michigan could manage to lose other games. Anything is possible. And I suppose that as bad as Duncan has been with the 3 point shot, reverting to the mean could happen, and he could have several lights out nights in the Big 10. Anyway, the year could end fairly well, and Michigan could end up with a bit better seed in the NCAA tournament. (Currently, Lunardi has them as an 8 - 9 seed, which is almost completely meaningless.)
December 18th, 2017 at 2:39 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 2:41 PM ^
I see your stepping out on a limb there . . . bold prediction.
Seriously, it is great to see that Michigan's defense has improved, especially against the 3 point shot.
December 18th, 2017 at 3:35 PM ^
To be fair, the second part of the statement has kinda only been true for like 2 years.
December 18th, 2017 at 5:17 PM ^
because it was the second half of last year and the first half of this year. I think it'll sustain though, certainly through the end of this year. We have a good defensive strategy when it comes to threes, and we have the perimeter defenders to execute that strategy.
December 18th, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^
So pithy. Nice contribution.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:39 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 2:40 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 2:43 PM ^
Sorry.......had to...........what's a call for predictions on the MGoBoard without a Clubber Lang reference.
December 18th, 2017 at 3:56 PM ^
Beat me to it. I'd up vote you if I could.
December 18th, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 2:41 PM ^
Probable losses:
@MSU, @Purdue
Likely to be competitive games:
@Iowa, Purdue, Maryland, @Nebraska, Northwestern, Minnesota, @Northwestern, @Wisconsin, @Penn State, @Maryland
Probable wins:
Illinois, Rutgers, Iowa, OSU
That's 5-3 in Big Ten play with 10 competitive games. The baseline is probably about 10-8 or 11-7 at this point. Kenpom is projecting 10-8 for what it's worth.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:48 PM ^
Most years I'd agree with you. However, it seems that Iowa and Wisconsin are really bad. I am almost to the place of moving those road games to the win column. And I think we could move Minnesota and Northwestern (@ Michigan) to the win column. That would leave 6 competitive games. With a split, we'd end up at 12 - 6 (instead of 13 - 5.) I think 10 - 8 is too low, and that we end up 11 - 7 at worst, 13 - 5 best.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:59 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 4:25 PM ^
are hard and Iowa and Wisconsin aren't that bad. They're top 75ish teams. Those are coin flips at their place.
December 18th, 2017 at 5:54 PM ^
Predicting a win at the Trohl Center seems optimistic. I will believe in victories @ Wisconsin (and Iowa, OSU and Indiana) only after the games end. Those 4 places are horror shows for Michigan, regardless of how bad the teams are. (Thankfully we don't play @ IU this year).
December 18th, 2017 at 2:42 PM ^
double post delete
December 18th, 2017 at 2:43 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 2:41 PM ^
13-5 in conference is too ambitious, as we all know from the past decade that Beiein's teams tend to put up a few stinkers and lose a few they shouldn't. I'd guess 11-7 and 21-9, so sweating a bit for a tourney spot in a down year for the B1G, but getting in at the end with a few wins in the BTT...
December 18th, 2017 at 3:42 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 4:36 PM ^
bout right - with the stinkers and an injury or two, I think 10-8 in conference and the need to win one in the B1G tourney to get in the NCAAs.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:42 PM ^
There are a bunch of Big Ten teams in the middle of the pack that could beat any team and lose to any team. Michigan is one of them. The OSU game is a perfect representation of this team, one second they look like world beaters the next they look like a CBI team. I think predicting this team to win every game they should to get to 13-5 in the Big Ten is foolish because they're too inconsistent, on the other hand I also wouldn't bank on them losing all of their games against MSU and Purdue.
December 18th, 2017 at 3:37 PM ^
So, how would you rank the teams in the middle? Which teams would you put there? Obviously Michigan, Ohio State, Maryland, Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern. How would you rank those six teams? And do you think Michigan could lose to any of them, any time? I am trying to figure out if OSU was a fluke loss that won't be repeated, or a harbinger of a maddening season.
December 18th, 2017 at 4:38 PM ^
probably OSU, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State - but yeah, these teams should be close to each other.
December 18th, 2017 at 5:07 PM ^
a coin flip game @OSU. They were actually favored by a point on kenpom.
It was super frustrating that we blew a 19-point lead, but losing wasn't a fluke. And we'll lose more road games to the middle pack B1G teams because road games are hard. So yeah, it'll be maddening when it happens but we're not going to go 6-3 on the road in conference this year.
December 19th, 2017 at 11:41 AM ^
I totally agree.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:43 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 2:43 PM ^
1. We will win at least one of the games we're expected to lose (and the board will go batshit crazy happy with at least one "Beilein appreciation thread" created)
2. We will lose at least two of the games we're expected to win (and the board will go batshit crazy unhappy with at least one "Fire Beilein" post created)
3. We will make the the tourny in March
4. We will win a couple of games (at least) and will surprise the national media with how well coached Michigan is
5. We will do it all again next year.
Rinse, repeat.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:45 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 2:49 PM ^
Good Lord, will someone just ban this giant sack of whale semen and puke and placentas and bloody shit...
December 18th, 2017 at 2:50 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 3:02 PM ^
The sad thing is, you're not even a good troll. You're just an idiot with nothing better to do than come here and try to ruffle feathers, and you suck at it. How does it feel to be just a giant loser?
December 18th, 2017 at 3:04 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 3:12 PM ^
Why do you keep cupping your hands over your mouth? Are you trying to make sure none of your mom's cum leaks out?
December 18th, 2017 at 3:17 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 3:21 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 3:28 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 3:38 PM ^
you haven't noticed, the mods are not paying attention, to any of this, and nobody seems to have any interest in a possible serious malware situation on the website. The front page still has content-ish type material but the Board is most certainly an enter at your own risk place right now.
And the difference is that Faux Mo can be vulgar, but he contributes actual takes and discussion. He isn't a troll. Right now, you guys are only on here to start stuff and are just sabotoging threads.
December 18th, 2017 at 3:34 PM ^
You guys are like a team! That's so cool! You guys are soooo cool. You're just misunderstood for speaking your dumb ass minds!
December 18th, 2017 at 3:40 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 3:50 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 3:36 PM ^
I'll take care of this one, you guys. We don't have to wait for the mods.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^
how well coached Michigan is. It's our fanbase that needs constant reminders.
Agree with the rest.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 3:03 PM ^
arent even good at trolling. at least try
December 18th, 2017 at 4:25 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 4:33 PM ^
likely to happen (i.e. even if you have a 30% chance to win each game you're "expected" to lose, you are likely to win at least one of them if there are just two such games, and vice versa about the games you're supposed to win..
..we've only won a couple (2) or more games three times in Beilein's ten years. It hasn't been repeated that many times.
I like this team and I think we have a lot of young pieces but a sweet 16 would be...unexpected for sure.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:45 PM ^
Sure, this team has its weaknesses, but it's got a little more skill and size than most of the previous Beilein teams. I really like how our defense is coming along too.
23-7 or 22-8 before the BTT seems about right.
I think we can upset one of the front runners, but we'll also probably get upset a time or two.
MSU is a really bad matchup for us this year, but I don't think they are developing as much as Izzo would like. Not going to beat them at Breslin, but you never know.
Big Ten is terrible this year, so we should finish 3rd or 4th. 2nd is possible too.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:53 PM ^
I agree with you . . . but then, I'm a glass half full kind of guy.
Seriously, I'm thinking that Duncan Robinson will round back into form. Teske is great behind Wagner, better in certain ways. Simpson and Poole are going a good job as well. Matthews is only going to get better, and Abdur-Rahkman will stay solid. With those seven, and maybe spot duty from a few others, the team will be just fine. Better than many anticipate.
December 18th, 2017 at 2:56 PM ^
Fair assessment. I do wonder when our atrocious team FT shooting percentage will cost us a game or two?
December 18th, 2017 at 2:47 PM ^
How we get there I don't know but I think this is a tournament team. Freshmen will play a bigger role as the season goes on.