Busting Brackets
Fansided

Bracketology 2023: Complete Bubble Watch before final weekend of regular season

By Joey Loose

Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) fouls Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the first half of their game Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.Uwmen18 11
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) fouls Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the first half of their game Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.Uwmen18 11 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 25
Next
Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin Bracketology
Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin Bracketology /

Michigan: 17-13 (11-8 in Big Ten) NET: 54

First and foremost, Michigan gets a boost for being 2nd place in the Big Ten. That conference has been a bloodbath this season, and not always in a good way. The Wolverines do have 3 Quad 1 wins this season, most recently a road win against Rutgers, but have struggled to take advantage of opportunities. They lost close games against Kentucky, Virginia, Purdue, Indiana, and most recently at Illinois. This resume could easily be in much better shape.

What’s even more alarming for Michigan’s standing is that devastating Quad 4 loss at home to Central Michigan that came right at the end of nonconference play. It’s bad enough to have 13 losses already, but losing that kind of game to the Chippewas could be a death knell if Michigan can’t pull of a couple more wins in the week ahead. The only positive was their bounce-back performance two days later, securing a 35-point win over Maryland that remains one of those Quad 1 victories.

The Wolverines are not currently in the field, though that can still change. Their season finale is a road test against an Indiana team they almost beat less than a month ago. Frankly, Michigan needs at least one more impressive win, whether against those Hoosiers or in the Big Ten Tournament. They are not getting into the field with 15 losses and no additional Quad 1 wins.

Home/Bracketology