Bracketology in August? ESPN gives Michigan an early No. 2 seed in Auburn Hills
ESPN's Joe Lunardi gave a very early NCAA Tournament projection Monday, and had Michigan as a No. 2 seed playing in Auburn Hills.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Apparently, ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi is.
Lunardi, ESPN's resident "Bracketologist," unveiled his extremely early first look at the 2013 NCAA Tournament on Monday and gave the Michigan basketball team a No. 2 seed.
What's more interesting, though, is where Lunardi believes the Wolverines will be playing their opening-round game.
That'd be Auburn Hills.
Oakland University is hosting a second and third round pod this season at The Palace of Auburn Hills, which sits roughly 53 miles from Ann Arbor. Lunardi's early projection has Michigan taking on No. 15 Vermont in the opening game for a chance to play the winner of Iowa State and Virginia Commonwealth in the Midwest Region.
Who else does he see in Auburn Hills? Michigan State, of course.
Lunardi pegs Michigan State as a No. 2 seed as well, but in the West Regional. He's got the Spartans going against Bucknell in the second round, with a shot at either Texas or Temple awaiting in the third round.
Lunardi's ESPN cohort, Andy Katz, ranks Michigan No. 5 in his preseason poll. Katz has the Spartans at No. 9.
In total, Lunardi has seven Big Ten teams in his initial projection: No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Michigan, No. 2 Michigan State, No. 3 Wisconsin, No. 4 Ohio State, No. 7 Minnesota and No. 12 Purdue.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
rocco
Sat, Aug 18, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.
If Michigan can eclipse Wisconsin and Ohio State next year that would be a grand success. They are poised to do so. Wisconsin and Ohio State have been near the top of the league for several years now. If they finish behind Purdue or Minnesota that would be a setback. That they are considered in the same conversation with Michigan State is testimony to how far the program has come. Now Michigan will have to prove consistently that it belongs there. A lot could go right for Michigan this year. They have a proven confident point guard. The finally have a true power foward with McGary on scene. All the others are small forwards. Jordan Morgan will be a better center with McGary in the lineup. Shooting guard? It actually a giant question mark. Will they get production from Hardaway and the new recruits? If they do, they will be a legitimate number 2 NCAA selection. If not, they will be battling Purdue and Minnesota for the sixth and seventh selection from the conference.
nowayjose
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 : 3:59 a.m.
Ha ha ha. Funny article. Almost worth printing.
redceder1
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
I'm sure they picked Ohio as the #1 seed.
GoBlue2009
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 : midnight
3 of the last 4...
xmo
Mon, Aug 13, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.
Really? "Michigan basketball team a No. 2 seed." So, who do they loooose to in the first round? OHIO?