Michigan Monday: The State of Wolverines and Michigan Basketball

This season for the Michigan basketball team can be summed up in one word: streaks.  Michigan went on a seven-game win streak from late November to late December.  Then the Wolverines went on a six-game losing streak for most of January.

Now, Michigan has turned the corner and currently won five out of six games with its only loss to No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus.  During the six-game losing streak there were articles written about Coach Beilein being on the bubble, now his program could be on the bubble for the NCAA tournament.  If Coach Beilein gets this team to the NCAA tournament he might he a solid Big Ten Coach of the Year candidate.

What have me worried are Michigan's next five games.  Michigan goes on the road for back-to-back games at Illinois and Iowa.  Then back home for Wisconsin (who just beat the No. 1 team in the nation), then out to play a ranked Minnesota team and home for Michigan State.

I have to tell you, I don't feel good about any of these games for the young Wolverines.  Michigan hasn't played well on the road in winnable games; it got blown out in back-to-back games at Indiana and at Northwestern in January.  Michigan then has home games against talented veteran teams in Wisconsin and MSU.  State will be fighting for their tournament lives in Ann Arbor on Mar. 5.

What has me excited is that the Wolverines are clearly getting better as the year goes on.  They are scoring inside and working a nice balance between shooting threes and the pick and roll.  They also had a strong road win at Penn State two weeks ago. 

Michigan's biggest week of the year is this week.  Both are winnable games in a trip to Illinois and Iowa (probably a must-win).  Then try to take one out of two between Wisconsin and MSU then take your chances with the Golden Gophers.

I understand that MSU is struggling but I think they will turn it around and finish strong.  Either way, I think the NIT would be a successful year for the Wolverines.  As we say in the business world, the stretch goal is a nice run in the Big Ten tournament and a bid to the big dance.  I like the team chemistry right now and I hope they can continue to play well.  Even if they lose to Illinois, I hope they play well and keep it close so they can have confidence going into Iowa.

I'm also excited about next year.  The future looks bright with Darius, Jordan and TH2.