Michigan basketball's five toughest, five easiest games remaining
Michigan basketball’s Saturday tilt with Michigan State was postponed due to COVID-19. That is disappointing given the team’s opportunity to keep improving and put an NCAA Tournament-caliber resume together.
There will be plenty of opportunities left, however. Michigan plays in a loaded Big Ten Conference without many nights off. It is going to take a pretty incredible turnaround to get back into the contender race. Plenty of resume games remain.
Let’s reset with a look at what KenPom deems the toughest and easiest tests that remain.
Michigan basketball’s five toughest games left
Feb. 5 at No. 5 Purdue – 22% chance of victory (Projected 79-70 L)
Jan. 14 at No. 11 Illinois – 26% chance of victory (Projected 75-68 L)
Jan. 29 at No. 18 Michigan State – 32% chance of victory (Projected 74-69 L)
March 6 at No. 19 Ohio State – 34% chance of victory (73-68 L)
Jan. 23 at No. 24 Indiana – 37% chance of victory (70-66 L)
Michigan’s five easest games left
Feb. 1 vs. No. 145 Nebraska – 91% chance of victory (80-66 W)
Feb. 23 vs. No. 96 Rutgers – 81% chance of victory (72-63 W)
Jan. 18 vs. No. 63 Maryland – 75% chance of victory (73-65 W)
Jan. 26 vs. No. 44 Northwestern – 70% chance of victory (73-67 W)
March 3 vs. No. 25 Iowa – 60% chance of victory (80-77 W)
Potential toss-ups
Jan. 11 vs. Purdue – 43% chance of victory (75-73 L)
Feb. 8 at Penn State – 56% chance of victory (66-65 W)
Feb. 12 vs. Ohio State – 57% chance of victory (72-70 W)
Feb. 27 vs. Illinois – 47% chance of victory (72-71 L)
Other games
Home vs. Michigan State – Will be rescheduled
Feb. 17 at Iowa – 37% chance of victory (80-77 L)
Feb. 20 at Wisconsin – 38% chance of victory (70-67 L)
All of the above games make it clear that Michigan basketball has its work cut out for it in righting the ship this season. A young team is growing to have to start showing signs of development before its too late.
KenPom projects a 16-14 finish to Michigan’s season and a 10-10 mark in conference play. If they had not stumbled in non-conference, a .500 record in the Big Ten might give them tournament looks. They likely have to surpass that in order to punch a ticket to March Madness.
Michigan’s next scheduled game is Tuesday night with Purdue coming to Crisler Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.
