How far will Michigan basketball advance in the NCAA tournament? We ask our experts
They had their ups and their downs. They looked like world-beaters and the beaten.
Yet, Michigan basketball took the Big Ten conference tournament title and earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament beginning this week.
On Thursday they get to play UC San Diego (30-4), which was one of the hottest-shooting teams in the country from the Big West Conference.
How far will Michigan advance in the NCAA tournament? We asked our beat writers and columnists for their opinion and they vary as much the Wolverines' season did.
Tony Garcia, Michigan beat writer
The Wolverines got a brutal draw in 12-seed UC San Diego, a capable team with great guard play. If U-M weathers the Tritons, a date with Yale or Texas A&M awaits, before a likely matchup with 1-seed Auburn.
If U-M can win the first game, it will make the second weekend, but that's where a magical season ends in the Sweet 16 in Atlanta against the Tigers.
Carlos Monarrez, columnist
A tough draw for the Wolverines with No. 1 overall seed Auburn in the South region. U-M will cruise past 12-seed UC San Diego (making its tournament debut), then will edge 4-seed Texas A&M in the second round when they contain guard Jace Carter.
U-M has atoned for its late-season struggles with the Big Ten tournament crown and is hitting March Madness with the momentum. But music stops in the Sweet 16 against Bruce Pearl’s Tigers, led by presumptive player of the year Johni Broome. Auburn went 28-5 while playing the nation’s second-hardest schedule for a reason.
Jeff Seidel, columnist
Dusty May has done a fabulous job in his first season at Michigan, capped off with the Big Ten tournament championship. When everything is right, Michigan looks tremendous.
But this matchup screams one-and-done for the Wolverines. A classic 12-vs.-5 upset. It will be too much Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, the Big West Player of the Year. And too much UC San Diego, a former Division II school that will become the early Cinderella of this tournament.
Shawn Windsor, columnist
The 5-seed drew difficult matchups. UC San Diego is a 30-win 12-seed and Texas A&M is a tough 4-seed. If the Wolverines win both — it could be Yale instead of Texas A&M — they'll likely face No. 1 seed Auburn.
The Tigers lost three games down the stretch, but their experience and athleticism will be tough to beat. U-M gets to the Sweet 16 and the season ends there.
The consensus (three out of four)
U-M will get to the Sweet 16 before falling to South No. 1 seed Auburn.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Our experts predict how far Michigan basketball will advance in NCAAs
-
How far will Michigan State go in March Madness? Predictions for Spartans in NCAA tournament
Our columnists and beat writer weigh in on how far Michigan State basketball will advance in the NCAA tournament.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Michigan basketball hangs on to beat Maryland, advances to Big Ten Championship Game
Our full recap of the Wolverines' big win in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Analyzing and predicting MSU basketball's draw in NCAA Tournament
See where we think Michigan State will land when the NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed on SundayYahoo Sports - 22h -
2025 NCAA Tournament bracket expert picks: No. 1 seeds predicted before Selection Sunday show
How our CBS Sports college basketball experts would vote if they were on the selection committeeCBS Sports - 22h -
Can Tennessee basketball reach Final Four in March Madness bracket? Our prediction
Can Tennessee basketball reach NCAA bracket’s Final Four? Our 2025 March Madness predictions show how Vols can make run in tournament.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Can Vanderbilt basketball reach Sweet 16 in March Madness bracket? Our prediction
Can Vanderbilt basketball reach NCAA bracket’s Sweet 16? Our 2025 March Madness predictions show how Commodores can make run in tournament.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Can Oregon basketball reach Final Four in March Madness bracket? Our prediction
Can Oregon basketball reach NCAA bracket’s Final Four? Our 2025 March Madness predictions show how Ducks can make run in tournament.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
Watch Michigan State's reaction to being revealed on selection Sunday
Watch how the Michigan State basketball team and Tom Izzo reacted to their NCAA Tournament placementYahoo Sports - 12h -
Michigan basketball earns No. 5 seed in men's NCAA Tournament: Social media reacts
Michigan earned a No. 5 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament despite beating No. 3 seed Wisconsin for the Big Ten championship. Here are social reactions:Yahoo Sports - 14h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
UCF accepts invitation to inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas
UCF will face Oregon State in the opening round at 5:30 p.m. on April 1. The winner will meet either DePaul or Cincinnati.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
NJHoops.com NJ Juco Player of the Week 2024-25 Week 19
In order to recognize and give some publicity to the talented players in and from the state, NJHoops.com will once again this season select College Players of the Week. For years we selected ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
College Basketball Crown 2025 field is set: Schedule, bracket, how to watch new tournament
The College Basketball Crown field has been set as 16 teams will play in the inaugural tournament in Las Vegas.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Transfer defensive back Ashaad Williams set to visit Purdue next week
Purdue is set to host one of the top transfer defensive backs on the market for a visit next week, according to Rivals. As a junior in 2024, Williams elevated his play to become a key contributor ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Can't Wait For Saturday A trip to Alabama makes Wisconsin's task more challenging
Mar. 17—*** The countdown continues. On Sunday, I rated Ohio State's nonconference schedule, which includes a home game against Texas, as the most difficult in the Big Ten. Up next ... 2. ...Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
UCF accepts invitation to inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas
UCF will face Oregon State in the opening round at 5:30 p.m. on April 1. The winner will meet either DePaul or Cincinnati.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
What to watch as inaugural TGL postseason gets underway
The top-seeded Los Angeles Golf Club gets the playoff started Monday against New York Golf Club.ESPN - 13m -
NJHoops.com NJ Juco Player of the Week 2024-25 Week 19
In order to recognize and give some publicity to the talented players in and from the state, NJHoops.com will once again this season select College Players of the Week. For years we selected ...Yahoo Sports - 14m -
How Joe Burrow forced the Bengals to break the bank on new contracts for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins
Burrow made it clear what he wanted and the organization got it doneCBS Sports - 14m -
College Basketball Crown 2025 field is set: Schedule, bracket, how to watch new tournament
The College Basketball Crown field has been set as 16 teams will play in the inaugural tournament in Las Vegas.Yahoo Sports - 14m