Tourney result that will make this year successful...
(Not discounting the B1G tourney) but when it comes to the big dance...where do YOU need us to get to in order to feel good about the season? It's damn hard not to love this team, the way they play, the way they hustle (save Ill) and seem to have each others' backs.
For me Championship Monday. Win or lose I think this team needs to get there for me to not be pissed about the ending. Either way it's been a ride gentlemen. Hope it ends with us cutting down some more nets. Go Blue.
* go easy on me first thread started
Basketball is tough. Even great teams have off nights or bad matchups and can lose early. It all depends who gets hot at the right time when you get into the sweet 16.
Final Four
Our closest comparables on Torvik won an average of 2.9 games in the tourney, so at least that far (Elite 8).
Would love to at least get a Final Four banner. Regardless, a lot of how I'd feel about a Michigan tournament loss would depend on whether they ran into a team that was just playing out of their minds for a game (going 10 for 15 on contested threes, etc.) vs. Michigan just not showing up for a game (blown assignments, careless turnovers, etc.).
I'll be sad at any loss.
The team has already far exceeded any expectations I had this season. If the ball doesn't bounce their way in the tourney, so be it. Never been into knee jerk reactions.
i feel fantastic about this season already. it has been, by literally any measure, a "successful" season. by definition.
Weird things can happen any year, but I'd say Sweet 16 and out is disappointing, Elite 8 would be the minimum for me to feel like the team lived up to what they're capable of. Anything Final Four+ is golden
We could lose out and it'd still be a successful season.
Sweet 16 probably. It would be a ho hum outcome but it’s hard to get salty about getting that far. It’s a tournament made popular by upsets and I imagine the miniature non conference schedules have made the ranks a bit wonky.
From here on out, we're Big Ten champs, so it's a good season. 2012 lost in the first round of the tourney (a rarity for Beilein) but we still remember it as a champion, albeit one that finished on a sour note.
Assuming we're a #1 seed, anything short of the Final Four will be a bit disappointing, but in the big picture this year has been a resounding success.
This might be the most ludicrous take I've ever seen on this board. These kids and staff (who had no expectations at the beginning of the year) have given me so much enjoyment and entertainment over the past few months.
It's selfish to be disappointed with any finish going forward. Would I like to see them go far in the tourney? Of course. But for them, not for me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you UM Bball for bringing us joy and fun. I wish you the best. However it works out, you're #1 with me
The team won an Outright B1G title... from being unranked after the Oakland game to #2 OA (probably back to 3 now) and a #1 seed.
This team already achieved more than anyone had the right to hope for in Howard's year 2 and after losing X and Teske
Michigan should be able to get into the Elite Eight...However, matchups will play a huge roles with this team due to some of its limitations exposed by Illinois
Once the brackets are set and the road is known it will be easier to predict
To me, the Elite Eight is the inflection point where a close lost would be draining but the season overall would feel okay about. Anything above that is wildly successful and anything below is a disappointment
Every 1 Seed has to make the regional final to not be a total embarrassment, so that's a pretty hard minimum to avoid a disappointing end. On top of that, Michigan has roasted a handful on top ten teams, and the only teams that appear to be able to consistently hang with or beat Michigan will be the other 1 seeds.
So, for me this year, a final four appearance will be the trigger to finishing the season well, not that it matters what I feel. Making the championship game or winning it all would be gravy.
It's all about matchups but if they get into the Elite 8 I'd be happy. I do think this team is a step behind a couple of teams at their best, and making it beyond the Elite 8 is as much luck as skill so I try not to get overly optimistic.
Elite 8, most likely. Gotta win 3 games and if we lose to a top ten team (2 seed) well, shit happens.
Final Four...I'd be mildly disappointed with simply the Elite Eight...
You must be a miserable person if you will be pissed at anything short of a championship appearance.
Tourney result that will make this year successful...
Back when we just started to have a successful program again, I said if we hang a banner it is a good year, and I still believe that in the long view this year will be a success no matter what, but short term, not hanging a second one would make me sad and not winning the whole thing will make me sad. I want the whole thing, but 5 years from now I will look back on this team and think wow was that a fun year.
It'll be a successful season if they get to Final Four, but I want them to win it all. They are one of top teams and they've had a successful season, but we are talking about layers of success.
Final Four and nothing less.
In reality, no matter what happens this year has a banner, and will be partially successful.
If they don't make the Sweet 16, it will be painful.
If they make the Final Four, I'll be fine.
Gonzaga, Baylor, Michigan, Illinois - that's a powerful set of 1 seeds
I'd be very disappointed to lose to a 16 seed in any circumstance. We're also more than good enough to win our second game, although Loyola-Chicago (our projected 8 seed) could play their hearts out against us and I could at least appreciate their story.
Realistically I think this team deserves at least the Sweet Sixteen. Beyond that everyone you play is is either a solid team or on a hot streak, so I'm not going to have unrealistic expectations. Hopefully we can at least end our season on a good note.
For the record, the season has already been successful. We have a conference title -- in the toughest conference.
As for the tournament, my expectation is the Final Four. If we lose before then, I'll feel disappointed in our tournament result. If we make the Final Four and lose in the semifinals, I'll be satisfied but not overly happy. If we get to the title game, I'll be quite happy, and if we win it all, I will feel so happy that any football result will not tarnish the year.
I understand the question,but In juwans second year I'm totally satisfied winning the big 10 championship! It's just so hard to win the nation championship you never know what's going to happen!
I'm a Final Four guy! I love championship Monday, but reaching the Final Four is a tremendous accomplishment. I'll be disappointed with any result that ends before that 3rd Tournament Saturday. A good team, I'm fine with the Sweet Sixteen. A great team? Final Four or bust! This has been a great team this season.
I don’t know it would be disappointing not to make Final Four although anybody you play in the second weekend could be a tough out. I just hope the team remembers they need to not take anything for granted and keep the focus high otherwise it will be an early exit. Still if this team plays to their potential they can beat anybody.
Elite eight is the answer but I’d not lose my mind over a buzzer-beater sends us home in the sweet 16