Michigan Basketball: 4 Reasons the Wolverines Could Be Final Four-Bound

The Michigan Wolverines basketball team is better than you think. In fact, it could be NCAA Final Four-bound in 2012.

Right now, the Wolverines are ranked 25th in the country and sit at 19-7, which is hardly the record or performance expected of a Final Four contender. But after severe early season struggles, Michigan is coming together as a team, and this group has the talent to make a strong surprise run in the tournament.

Let's look at several strong reasons why the Wolverines could surprise everyone in this year's NCAA tournament...

Michigan Is Undefeated at Home

Yes, I know the NCAA tournament is not played at home. Bear with me on this one.

Michigan has struggled for much of this season. In particular, the Wolverines have struggled on the road against top teams including Ohio State and Michigan State. But the team has pulled together and won when supported by an energetic pro-Michigan crowd.

Most NCAA games will not be played at home, but they will also not be in hostile arenas either. Michigan is an enormous school with a following, and its team should have a strong supporting crowd—a home-court advantage—in many tournament matchups.

Combined with the team's recent improved play, the Wolverines' ability to play very well with a supportive crowd could carry them in the tournament.

Tim Hardaway Jr. May Have Turned the Corner Against Illinois

Tim Hardaway Jr. is Michigan's talented point guard and emotional leader.

He struggled during Michigan's mid-season swoon and was unable to get himself going offensively or to help teammates effectively. But he got it going against Illinois with 15 points, three assists and three rebounds to help Michigan come away with an impressive win.

Hardaway is extremely talented, and he is critical to Michigan's success. If this game ignites a fire under him and he continues to excel, Michigan will be dangerous in the tournament.

Jordan Morgan Is Becoming a Dominant Offensive Player

Tim Hardaway Jr. may be Michigan's best talent, but Jordan Morgan is its most consistent offensive threat.

Morgan is shooting 65 percent from the field this season and is the Wolverines' best post player. Recently, there have been signs that the Wolverines will run more post offense and try to be less dependent on long-range shooting.  

If that trend continues and Morgan becomes the focal point of a more physical offense, the Wolverines could be Final Four-bound.

Evan Smotrycz Could Improve the Wolverines' Long Distance Shooting

The Wolverines need Tim Hardaway Jr. to improve and to change their offense to make Jordan Morgan and the paint more of a focal point.

But nothing will stop Michigan from being a shooting team so they should take steps to improve in that area. One step would be to involve Evan Smotrycz more in the offense. He is shooting 46 percent from the field while other big names, like Stu Douglass and Zack Novak, are struggling.

If they can get him involved in conjunction with a more physical offense centered around Morgan, the Wolverines will be very difficult to beat in the tournament.