Matthew Ross
They’re a three seed and about to play in the Sweet 16 of college basketball’s biggest tournament. They’re taking on an upstart squad that’s on a roll and has experts picking them to make the Final Four. Yet, the Michigan Wolverines are alive and kicking, and to me, a serious contender for the NCAAB Division I crown. Currently the basketball betting odds for the Wolverines are at 10 to 1 to win the title. I believe that there’s something about this team that will propel them to the National Championship.
Michigan Wolverines can win March Madness
- They won their conference tournament
The Wolverines upset a couple of times, namely Purdue, to win the Big Ten basketball tournament. It almost looked easy, actually. Coach John Beilein had them mowing through the competition, with depth scoring factoring in. I don’t care what the stats say; when you win some form of title, it gives you confidence to win another one.
- Other big name teams are gone
From the Michigan States of the world to the Virginia Cavaliers – this has been a crazy, unpredictable tournament that has befallen some of the favorites. So why can’t a team with a high seed get it done? If the Wolverines get through the red hot Texas A&M Aggies, they’ll have all kinds of confidence heading into the Elite 8 round. While they opened as a 3.5 point NCAAB betting favorite over the Aggies, the odds have now come down to -2.5. So basketball betting enthusiasts are not giving Michigan the respect they deserve. Coach Beilein will no doubt deliver the message in the pregame speech.
- The Fans
Let’s face it, the Michigan Wolverines alumni and fans base is one of the best traveling fan bases in college sports. It’s also a base that’s spread out all over the country. With the game being at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, you’d think that Texas’s proximity would help the Aggies take home the Sweet 16 matchup. But fans of the Wolverines are on another level. They get over 100,000 for college football games weekly and they should steal the show from here on in during March Madness.
Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.
