3 Reasons why Michigan WILL win the national championship

0
9

This past Saturday, No. 3 seed Michigan gutted out a 58-54 win over No. 9 seed Florida State to advance to their eighth Final Four in school history. *Yes, 1992 and 1993 actually happened folks, even though those appearances have since been vacated by the NCAA.

After struggling in the first two rounds against No. 14 seed Montana and No. 6 seed Houston, the Wolverines absolutely dominated No. 7 seed Texas A&M in the Sweet 16 before facing the Seminoles in the Elite 8.

http://gty.im/936719180

Now, this coming Saturday, Michigan will face a team in the Final Four that has become the talk of the tournament, No. 11 seed Loyola-Chicago. The Ramblers (32-5) have won 14 games in a row and they are very similar to the Wolverines in terms of liking to get after it defensively. If Michigan is able to get past Loyola-Chicago, they will face the winner of No. 1 seed Villanova and No. 1 Kansas on Monday night for all of the marbles.

Finishing the job will not be easy but here are three reasons why the Michigan Wolverines WILL win cut down the nets in San Antonio on Monday night.

Battle Tested

http://gty.im/933290840

There is no question about it, Michigan has lucked out so far in the tournament as they have advanced all the way to the Final Four without having to play a team seeded higher than No. 4. That being said, the Wolverines were really tested by Houston in the second round (UM needed a last-second three-pointer to win) and Florida State in the Elite 8 and they found a way to survive, despite not playing their best games offensively.

If Michigan is going to cut down the nets, you can bet they will have to overcome some adversity in one or both games, something they have already experienced and will be prepared for.

Coaching

http://gty.im/926816976

In case you are not clear yet, let me help you out. John Beilein is one of the top head coaches in the nation (regardless of the sport) and he has proven that once again this season. Heading into the 2017-2018 campaign, very few, if any at all picked Michigan to go to the Final Four, yet Beilein has made the right moves time and time again.

Beilein’s teams have always been solid offensively but now the Wolverines are one of the top defensive teams in America. His in-game adjustments are second to none and his game planning has been nearly perfect since the beginning of February. Not to take anything away from Porter Moser, Bill Self, or Jay Wright, but if I had to pick one head coach to lead my team, right now, it would be John Beilein.

Defense

http://gty.im/932638060

What has really put the Wolverines over the top this season is their defensive intensity in each and every game. They rank No. 6 in the nation in points allowed per game (63.1) and No. 14 in defensive efficiency. So far in the tournament, Michigan has held their opponents to a measly 59 points per contest and at times there defensive has looked impenetrable.

Regardless of how the offense plays, you can bet the Wolverines will be in the hunt when the clock is ticking because of their defense.

PREDICTIONS:

Michigan 63 Loyola-Chicago 58

Michigan 68 Villanova 66