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Michigan Basketball: Why Wolverines should be nation’s top-ranked team

By Brian Rauf

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a three point basket next to Isaiah Livers #4 while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on January 29, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 65-49. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a three point basket next to Isaiah Livers #4 while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on January 29, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 65-49. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with his teammates against the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with his teammates against the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Unmatched resume

So, while Michigan looks the part of a No. 1 team for the reasons mentioned previously, they also have the best resume in the country. No one else has a pair of wins over top 10 teams and no one else has beaten four teams ranked in the KenPom top 65 (Creighton, Iowa State, UNC, Gonzaga).

Louisville, currently ranked No. 2, is expected to take the top spot from Duke after the Blue Devils lost to Stephen F. Austin, but their best win is over a 4-3 Miami team and they struggled to beat South Carolina Upstate at home.

Kansas, currently ranked No. 4, just won the Maui Invitational. However, their best win is over a (very good) Dayton team that is outside the KenPom top 20.

Maryland, currently No. 5, doesn’t have a win over a KenPom top 70 team and trailed in the second half against both Temple and Harvard.

Virginia, currently No. 7, has a struggling offense and doesn’t have a win over a top 40 team.

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We’ve seen so many top teams fall victim to upsets and poor play throughout the first month of the season, yet Michigan has been consistent, faced tough competition, and passed every test with flying colors.

Michigan will face Louisville on Tuesday as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, and the winner will likely be the unquestioned No. 1 team the following week. But, for right now, the Wolverines have the best case to be the nation’s top-ranked team.

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