Is this the year the B1G snaps its title drought?
As most know, the last time the B1G won the national champsionship was in 2000, where a group of not weird guys took home the title. Michigan's 1989 banner is the most recent beyond that.
Given the relatively flat field this year, I'm thinking the B1G has a good shot at a title. I think the league was clearly top heavy and that the best of the B1G will be tough outs. Both Michigan and Purdue defend very well, have good guard play, and bigs that create mismatches. MSU has a few lottery picks, and I think with the season on the line Izzo will start playing a bit more small ball (JJJ at the 5 and Bridges at the 4) in order to put the most dynamic lineup out there.
Can't say I have any of them winning it all in my bracket, but I could easily see two B1G teams in the Final Four.
What say you?
a couple years ago and they won it all.
NCAA Tournament is by large random because of single elimination format.
I want to believe Purdue has all of the pieces and Painter finally puts it all together this year. That said, their history in the tourney simply sucks so I can't believe they will. So I picked them to win it all.
I feel this could be the beginning of the end for him. If you have two top-10 lottery pick locks like he has and you combine getting swept by your in-state rival with not reach the final four for the seventh times in eight tourneys that is sure to not sit well with the zealots of that fanbase. Unfortunately, losing and constant early tourney flameouts are gonna be the only thing that drives him into early retirement, not this sex scandal
If they go out early this year, that would be 3 consecutive years of early exits. And next years roster isn't looking like a final four team assuming both Bridges and Jackson go to the NBA. So that would be another 4 year stretch of no final fours (2011 - 2014 they only made the Elite Eight and lost to UCONN, two Sweet 16 exits, and a first game exit).
This four year stretch would be:
2016: First game Loss vs #15 MTSU
2017: Second game Loss vs #1 Kansas
2018: Sweet Sixteen Loss vs #2 Duke?
2019: No Bridges, Jackson, Schilling, Tum Tum, Ben Carter?
I can't see a team led by McQuaid, Langford, Winston, Ward, and Tillman making a final four. Yeah they have a 5 man freshman class with a Bridges Jr in Bingham, but I don't think any of those 5 can replace Jackson and Bridges.
when they lost Harris, Payne and Appling. You know, Izzo's last "best team ever, omg I miss Mateen Cleaves and the good old days when rough and tumble bad boy basketball ruled".
Following year they made the final four with unheralded Valentine, Trice, Forbes, etc. Crazier things have happened.
Losing Shilling, Tum Tum and Carter won't have an impact. That starting lineup should be solid. Langford could break out in a bigger role. Winston is excellent on offense. If their freshmen are as advertised, they'll be pretty good again. Definitely would not bet on it happening, of course.
Michigan is the league's best hope. It's not out of the question but the odds are against us.
Call me a homer, but of course I got U of M winning it all....vs Purdue in the finals, and beating OSU to make it to the final 4. And of course MSU upset by bucknell first round...
March 13th, 2018 at 11:07 PM ^
haha we are thinking alike
cut down the nets this season. However OP made astute point about Purdue and that is they should be indefensible. Throw the ball into Haas and although he lacks the sky hook, he's about as tough to defend as Kareem. If they do double down, a kick out to their good shooting guards should provide enough offense for them to be in every game in the final 2 mins and if you get that far, no telling what might happen. Three teams with rock solid chances, imo
March 13th, 2018 at 11:06 PM ^
I have M-OSU in the Elite 8. M and Purdue into the final four.
March 14th, 2018 at 11:21 AM ^
The answer is maybe.