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How much does the difference of a single seed-line matter in the NCAA tournament?
Take the matchups between 5-seeds and 4-seeds — as Michigan basketball faces tonight in Denver against Texas A&M. Despite the slight difference in seeding, 5-seeds are just 36-44 — a .450 winning percentage — against 4-seeds since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams.
TONY GARCIA: Michigan basketball vs. Texas A&M prediction, preview: Our March Madness pick is in
The good news for the Wolverines: 4-seeds are riding a mini-hot streak vs. 5s: Gonzaga upset Kansas in last year’s only such matchup, while Miami (Florida) upset Indiana in 2023.
Will U-M become the third straight 5-seed to slay a 4? Three Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on that:
Michigan’s magic has been incredible. The Wolverines have won 11 consecutive games decided by four points or fewer. In each of U-M's past three games, Tre Donaldson has hit a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final 2:15. The Wolverines have a belief in themselves, but that can only take them so far. A&M is physical as heck and has eight seniors on their last journey together. If U-M can hit enough 3s, it will have a date with Auburn or Creighton in Atlanta, but with this the fifth game in nine days, the legs come up just short. The pick: Texas A&M 71, U-M 67.
Sure, 4-seed Texas A&M is big and tough and is a great rebounding team that leads in the country in offensive rebounds. But the Aggies can’t shoot 3s and struggle on free throws. The 5-seed Wolverines don’t play tight in crunch time and specialize in winning games late. Right, UC San Diego? The pick: U-M 74, Texas A&M 72.
The Wolverines' turnaround season ends in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The pick: Texas A&M 83, U-M 78.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball March Madness predictions vs. Texas A&M
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Take the matchups between 5-seeds and 4-seeds — as Michigan basketball faces tonight in Denver against Texas A&M. Despite the slight difference in seeding, 5-seeds are just 36-44 — a .450 winning percentage — against 4-seeds since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams.
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TONY GARCIA: Michigan basketball vs. Texas A&M prediction, preview: Our March Madness pick is in
The good news for the Wolverines: 4-seeds are riding a mini-hot streak vs. 5s: Gonzaga upset Kansas in last year’s only such matchup, while Miami (Florida) upset Indiana in 2023.
Will U-M become the third straight 5-seed to slay a 4? Three Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on that:
Tony Garcia
Michigan’s magic has been incredible. The Wolverines have won 11 consecutive games decided by four points or fewer. In each of U-M's past three games, Tre Donaldson has hit a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final 2:15. The Wolverines have a belief in themselves, but that can only take them so far. A&M is physical as heck and has eight seniors on their last journey together. If U-M can hit enough 3s, it will have a date with Auburn or Creighton in Atlanta, but with this the fifth game in nine days, the legs come up just short. The pick: Texas A&M 71, U-M 67.
Carlos Monarrez
Sure, 4-seed Texas A&M is big and tough and is a great rebounding team that leads in the country in offensive rebounds. But the Aggies can’t shoot 3s and struggle on free throws. The 5-seed Wolverines don’t play tight in crunch time and specialize in winning games late. Right, UC San Diego? The pick: U-M 74, Texas A&M 72.
Jared Ramsey
The Wolverines' turnaround season ends in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The pick: Texas A&M 83, U-M 78.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball March Madness predictions vs. Texas A&M
Continue reading...
