<p>We are now 18-11 (8-8 in Big 10 play). We have two games remaining in the regular season; at Wisconsin and at Minnesota. Assuming you go 1-1 in those two games, we will finish our regular season 19-12 (9-9 in the Big 10). </p>
<p>Will that be enough to get us into the field of 64? We had a few quality wins this year, including wins over Duke, Illinois, UCLA, Purdue and Wisconsin. Allof those teams are ranked among the top 25. We also played a good game at then #1 (now #2) Connecticut, leading them at the half and eventually losing to them by less than 10 points. </p>
<p>Of course, the team has been inconsistant. We had no business losing to Iowa last week for example. I suppose how we do in the Big 10 tournament will determine whether or not we make it to the Big Dance. If we can make it to the semi final of the Big 10 tourney, we should be good to go.</p>
<p>After beating Purdue tonight, yes I think the selection committee will put us in. Also, we had quality wins over UCLA and Duke. We were competitive with Michigan State most of the game and had a close one against UConn. Based on performances against top competition, there's no reason not to put Michigan in the tournament.</p>
<p>The problem is that there are a lot of good bubble teams this year, which have all had the big wins as well as the disappointing losses and inconsistencies. These include UMiami and Maryland in the ACC; Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio State in the Big Ten; Syracuse, Providence, and Notre Dame in the Big East; etc. Conference tournaments become a great opportunity for these bubble teams in major conferences to prove themselves and earn their place in the big dance. All of these teams, along with many others, have shown that they can win big games, so if they play at the level they're capable of in the upcoming weeks, you can count on several of them gaining at large bids. On the other hand, early exits from their conference tourneys will most certainly knock teams like Michigan off the bubble.</p>
<p>I am not sure many teams played Michigan's non-conference schedule, which included two games vs Duke, a game vs Connecticut, a game vs Maryland and a game vs UCLA. Atlhough we onlywon two of those five games, we were competitive in two of the three we lost. OSU played Notre Dame and Miami but that's it. Wisconsin played against Connecticut and Texas, and that's aout it. </p>
<p>But I agree. If Michigan wants a good shot at the tournament, it will have to win the next two games, at Wisconsin and at Minnesota and make it to the semis of the Big 10tournament. It is not going to be easy.</p>
<p>It's highly unlikely that Michigan will win either game on the road to end the season. It's terrible that the Big Ten would even schedule a team like Michigan, which hasn't won in years, to a road trip like that to end the regular season. The NCAA commitee will not accept a team that isn't at least at .500 in their conference for their tournament. The only way they will get in is to at least split the last two games and go very far, if not win, in the BT tournament.</p>
<p>novi, I don't think Michigan needs to go that far in the Big 10 Tournament if they can split the last two games. If Michigan can win one of its last two regular season games and make it to the semis of the Big 10 tournament, it should be good to go.</p>
<p>We need to at least split the last two games ... novi is right that there is no way the NCAA committee will accept a team with a losing regular season record. On top of that, we will need to at least make it through the first round in the Big Ten tournament to have a chance.</p>
<p>If we split and then win one in the BTT, I think we should be in. I just don't think the committee will be able to overlook our two wins over top 5 teams and a great loss to UConn. Plus, the BT is one of the most competitive conferences top to bottom. The committee knows we have had to fight for each and every win.</p>
<p>Novi and GOBlue81, you should really check your facts before you make a statement like that...</p>
<p>"The NCAA commitee will not accept a team that isn't at least at .500 in their conference for their tournament."</p>
<p>"novi is right that there is no way the NCAA committee will accept a team with a losing regular season record. On top of that, we will need to at least make it through the first round in the Big Ten tournament to have a chance."</p>
<p>It's not over yet ring<em>of</em>fire. If Michigan beats Minnesota (not likely, I admit) next week and makes it to the semis of the Big 10 tournament, I think we have a shot at making the field of 64.</p>