Analyzing the final 5 games
I don’t want to depend on Illinois for help, so realistically we should be looking at this as needing to finish 4-1 to win the Big Ten title. We passed our biggest test of the season on Sunday, but the next two games are not going to be easy at all. What are your thoughts on how we match up with our final opponents?
Versus Iowa we know that there will be a lot of points scored, Garza versus Dickinson will be a very key matchup.
Illinois run 4 guards plus Kofi. Hoping that Wagner’s length will frustrate Ayo. Win that game and we almost surely are the champs.
IU and MSU are not great teams but both are going to be desperate as they are fighting for a bid. MSU maybe not as much, but it’s still probable they could have a shot at the tourney leading up to the final 2 games vs us. And beating a rival twice in one week won’t be a cake walk.
February 23rd, 2021 at 2:43 PM ^
I hate playing Big Ten bubble teams on the road at the end of the season. It always seems like the favored team gets a terrible whistle. I am worried about an Indiana trap game sandwiched between the Iowa and Illinois games.
Watching Indiana play though does give me some comfort because that team just looks terrible.
February 23rd, 2021 at 2:46 PM ^
And it's interesting because I genuinely thought Archie Miller was a good hire at IU but he's been a huge disappointment for them.
February 23rd, 2021 at 2:49 PM ^
@Indiana scares me a bit too, not because of Indiana, but it will be coming off 1 day of rest following a huge game with Iowa. It really all comes down to beating Illinois.
February 23rd, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
The game is sandwiched between Iowa and Illinois as well.
February 23rd, 2021 at 2:45 PM ^
I saw a really interesting thread on Twitter asking about how folks feel about the Illinois vs. MSU game tonight. And I'll admit, I'm conflicted. While yes, an Illinois loss helps us, I think I still want MSU to lose. I want their NCAA tourney streak to end. We will or lose the Big Ten our way, not with their help.
Like your analysis overall. I think we probably go 4-1 but I wouldn't be shocked at 5-0 or 3-2 as well.
February 23rd, 2021 at 2:49 PM ^
If Michigan takes care of business against MSU, they are going to have a hard time making the tournament. And more importantly, winning the Big Ten regular season championship dwarfs any schadenfreude from seeing MSU's tournament streak end.
February 23rd, 2021 at 2:52 PM ^
I appreciate that angle and opinion. I simply want both ;)
So, I'll take Illinois win tonight, Michigan sweeps the rest of the games and we win the conference and MSU sits at home in March.
February 23rd, 2021 at 4:07 PM ^
Ill should role against sparty tonight. It would be better for Mich to play a resurging Ill team. Plus, I ALWAYS want to see spraty lose. I hope they lose the rest of their games this year.
February 23rd, 2021 at 2:51 PM ^
Yeah I won’t be cheering for MSU. They are a flawed team but they still have some talent. They beat Illinois and now their NCAA tourney chances are a real thing. And I’d rather not face them twice in a week with a head full of steam and everything to play for.
February 23rd, 2021 at 3:48 PM ^
I'm viewing the MSU/ILL game tonight as a win-win situation. At the end of the game, either sparty is one step closer to not making the dance or we are one step closer to wrapping up a Big Ten championship.
February 23rd, 2021 at 5:38 PM ^
NO Sir..we want no NEED another Illini loss...that would almost lock us in to the B10 Title..3 game lead in the loss column with 5 to go? GO SPARTANS...this night only
February 23rd, 2021 at 10:01 PM ^
I just want Michigan to win the big 10 championship! However we get it!
February 23rd, 2021 at 3:13 PM ^
I know I’m getting WAY ahead of myself here, but I would love to see UM win the B1G crown outright on the day of the home game against MSU. I would love to see this team celebrate the crown at home with MSU watching. That would definitely by icing on the cake with a cherry on top!
I know, one game at a time, the crown is far from decided yet, and just win the games, but a guy needs to dream once in awhile.
February 23rd, 2021 at 3:15 PM ^
Good news is.....Hunter Dickinson spent all summer, last year, practicing against Garza. As a matter of fact, he even won a few one vs one games. Should not be a shock to play against him.
February 23rd, 2021 at 3:43 PM ^
Indiana and Michigan St. are teams we should handle. Our defensive pressure will make them wilt. Iowa we can wear down. Illinois will be a good barometer for Michigan. 4-1 floor. 5-0 ceiling.
February 23rd, 2021 at 3:51 PM ^
The Iowa game will dictate how must win the Illinois game will be. Whatever happens this is a fun ride!
February 23rd, 2021 at 4:10 PM ^
It will be a gauntlet of a schedule for the Maize and Blue. First up is Iowa and I'll go for 1 and 0 then the next, then the next until we get to the end of the season. 4 and 1 with a loss to Indiana would be acceptable to me. I'd love 5 and 0.
February 23rd, 2021 at 5:53 PM ^
I’m thinking Brooks and Brown will have to cover Ayo, I think he has to much speed for Wagner
February 23rd, 2021 at 6:32 PM ^
When sparty first plays Michigan, they will be tired.
It will be their 5th game in 10 days, including travel, etc....
Hopefully they don't recover for the rematch 3 days after the first game.
GO BLUE!!!!
February 23rd, 2021 at 8:13 PM ^
And now the Fighting Izzos are up 10 at the half on Illinois.
....I got nothing.
February 23rd, 2021 at 9:49 PM ^
Iowa doesn't play D.
Indiana and MSU can't shoot.
Illinois has been playing with fire the last few games, and tonight they got torched.
I'm pretty sure we can find three wins in these last 5 games (:
February 24th, 2021 at 1:52 PM ^
Iowa's defense HAS been getting better lately, though -- they do make some decent 2H adjustments. But yeah. In general, it isn't great. And Garza's defense is absolute garbage (even though, obviously, he MORE than makes up for that on most nights).
February 23rd, 2021 at 10:57 PM ^
sweep the spartans and we will raise another banner