The Michigan Wolverines reached the Sweet Sixteen last season before falling short to the No. 1-seeded Auburn Tigers. One year later, Michigan is more confident and prepared to take the next step.
Not only do the Wolverines have more depth, talent and versatility than they did a year ago, but they also have a bit of a “home court advantage” that could play a major role in Chicago.
“We played well against Auburn last year, but we ran into the top team in the country, basically on their home court,”
head coach Dusty May told the media on Tuesday. “That was very pivotal in us not being able to advance to the Elite Eight last year. So now we earned the right to go to Chicago and hopefully pack that thing with Michigan fans, and see where it goes.”
Being a No. 1 seed certainly has its upsides — including an easier path to the Final Four — but the benefit of playing close to home in some of the biggest games of the tournament can’t be understated. Michigan will have a significant advantage against the No. 4-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet Sixteen, which they didn’t have a season ago.
“The atmosphere will be in our favor this year, where it wasn’t last year, but when you get to this point, it’s more about how you match up with the other team,” May said. “How can you exploit their weaknesses? How can you keep your weaknesses from being exploited? It’s two really good basketball teams that are going to be competing at a high level.”
In addition to earning the right to play in the Midwest Region, the Wolverines are also a much more connected and talented team than last season. Michigan was solid and accomplished a lot in May’s first year, but this team is just different. From when this team first got together in the offseason, it became clear it was built to win a national championship.
“We had a super great group we had last year; I think a little bit of a difference is we just have been so connected with this group all season long,” guard Nimari Burnett said. “I think with this group, our length, size and speed, and you combine that with going to Chicago — we’re looking forward to the matchup and ready to come away with two wins.”
The Wolverines are the top-rated team on KenPom, ranking second in the nation in defensive efficiency and sixth in offensive efficiency. A year ago, Michigan ranked 12th on defense and 43rd on offense. There’s no doubt this year’s squad is more equipped to advance past the Sweet Sixteen and potentially cut down the nets as national champions next month.
“I think we’re a better basketball team, we’re more talented,” May said. “Last year, we were still laying the foundation, and the last couple weeks of the regular season, we kind of came to the realization that we had to change, get tougher and play better together. Now, we’re just a better team. We’re better coaches and players. That’s just part of the growth process.”
Michigan will meet Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen on Friday in Chicago (7:35 p.m. on TBS) with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line. It certainly won’t be easy to take down the Tide, but the Wolverines will have key advantages in a number of areas — balance, depth, experience, fan attendance, size — all of which worked against them in the Sweet Sixteen loss last year.
