Michigan basketball’s resume is one of weakest in NCAA Tournament history

The Michigan basketball program put forth one of the weakest resumes in NCAA Tournament history and still made it into the big dance.

While the Michigan basketball program is going dancing, the Wolverines finessed their way into the 2022 NCAA Tournament with an incredibly weak resume.

Michigan had been on the bubble heading into Selection Sunday. The Wolverines were one of the last four teams in as of very early Sunday morning. But with Richmond winning the A-10, it put the Wolverines’ chances of getting in on life support. Somehow, someway, Michigan was able to secure an at-large bid and punch its ticket in. Just how weak was their resume. Check this out.

Outside of the 2020-21 season, Michigan becomes the first team since 2001 Georgia to receive an at-large bid while being only three games above .500. Since the tournament field expanded in 1985, here are the only other teams to pull off this type of finesse move: 1988 LSU, 1990 Kansas State and 1991 Villanova. Basketball fans will definitely be pointing the finger at Michigan now.

Michigan basketball: How did the Wolverines make the NCAA Tournament?

The two things the Wolverines had going for them was an incredibly strong strength of schedule (No. 5) and a strong non-conference strength of schedule (No. 26). Yes, the Wolverines play in a tough Big Ten conference and had the stones to play good teams outside of conference play. However, for something to happen that has not happened in 21 years, Michigan is truly an outlier.

Ultimately, winning a first-round game or even getting into the second weekend will go a long way towards Michigan silencing the critics. This has been a tumultuous year for the Wolverines, one where Juwan Howard was suspended for the latter part of Big Ten play for striking a Wisconsin assistant. Then again, it is all about making it into the field of 68 and the Wolverines have done it.

They may only be three games above .500, but Michigan gets it for playing in a great conference.

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