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Team: Michigan Wolverines
Conference: Big Ten Conference
Coach: John Bielein
Record: 22-12 overall, 10-8 in conference
KenPom Rank: 56
Good wins: vs Texas (neutral), vs Maryland, Purdue at home.
Impact Players: John Bielein's team lost Caris LeVert for the year, who was going to be their star. But juniors Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton pace the team with jump shooting and some surprising rebounding for two players who stand 6'6" and 6'1", respectively. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman has also added bursts of scoring down the stretch.
How did they get in?: The strength of the Big Ten was enough to overcome their four losses in five games to close out the season; the non-conference losses were all to strong NCAA-Tournament caliber teams.
How far can this team go in the NCAA Tournament?: As play-in game participants, this Wolverine team obviously has a number of warts. They will score, and they do protect the ball; an opponent without experience and composure could be threatened by the Wolverines. If they can get into the main draw, they could win a game, but likely they won't see the second weekend.
Last time in the NCAA Tournament: 2014, when they made the Elite Eight.