If a single word could describe the 2016-17 season thus far, it would be unusual, followed closely by fluctuating. There have been six different number one ranked teams including Duke, Kentucky, Villanova, Baylor, Gonzaga, and now Kansas. Gonzaga - the small private school in northern Washington state - fumbled their chance for perfectection in their final regular season game going 29-1 for the year. The traditional powerhouses haven’t played like themselves this year leaving the door open for competition across the nation’s major conferences.
It’s been an off-year for Big Ten basketball, though. Unlike the ACC and Big 12 which have quality teams that subsequently lose to each other in competitive matchups, the Big Ten is comprised of weaker squads that ultimately lose to each other in less appealing fashion. Classic Big Ten powerhouses like Michigan State, Indiana, and even the Michigan Wolverines haven’t played their best ball this year. The only top-25 ranked programs from our conference are #16 Purdue and #22 Wisconsin.
Guard Derrick Walton Jr. (14.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.0 apg) has led Michigan through some tough times this season while forward Zak Irvin has seen cold spells mixed with great nostalgic moments. The seniors have been helped by German sophomore forward Moritz “Moe” Wagner and junior forward D.J. Wilson. Both players have seen a boost in minutes and responsibility this season, and the fans have seen extreme improvement from the two in return. Michigan (19-11, 9-8) has just one conference game remaining before the start of the Big Ten tournament - the winner of which earns an auto-bid to the March Madness Tournament.
Michigan is poised to make the NCAA Tournament, given some strong wins over Wisconsin, Purdue, Michigan State, and Indiana in Bloomington. The problem is that the team has earned most of their wins in Ann Arbor and has struggled on the road. This is an experienced team that can be deadly when they knock down their three pointers. However, I don’t expect the Wolverines to make it far in the tournament because the competition is just too tough.
At this point in the closing weeks of the season, I am predicting that Kansas will be cutting down the nets this year. The team just clinched its 13th consecutive Big 12 title and shows no signs of slowing down. So get out your brackets and pick a winner! No matter who wins, however, I promise March will be mad once again.
- March 12: Selection Sunday
- March 14: Tournament Starts
- April 1 & 3: Final Four
Contributed By: Jake Silver