College basketball expert reveals how Michigan basketball can make it to the Final 4 of NCAA Tournament

Here's what Michigan needs to do in order to make a Final Four run.
Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After winning eight games last season, Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines have done the unexpected. The Wolverines went and won the Big Ten Tournament and were also in contention to win the regular season. With just three returning scholarship players from last year's team, May filled his team full of transfers and recruits to make an NCAA Tournament run. Michigan got past UC San Diego in the first round and took down Texas A&M in the Round of 32.

The Wolverines will now take on the No. 1 seed Auburn Tigers. Bruce Pearl's team finished the regular season and SEC Tournament poorly, losing three of their last four games. But Auburn rebounded and got past Alabama State and Creighton in the first two rounds of the tournament.

According to ESPN's Jay Bilas, Michigan has a Final Four run in it, but the Wolverines must take care of the basktball if they will get there. Michigan is one of the most turnover-prone teams in college basketball and that's the main area of concern.

They take care of the ball. Michigan is very good on the defensive end and has the ability to beat just about anybody, but its turnover rate is the highest, by far, of the teams remaining in the field. Take care of the ball, and Michigan has a chance.

But just taking care of the basketball won't get Michigan to the Final Four. The Wolverines have one of the tougher challenges on paper: Auburn. The Tigers received the No. 1 overall seed for a reason and Bilas wonders if that challenge could be too much for Michigan. But the Wolverines have two 7-footers who might have a say.

The opponent. Auburn is a difficult matchup for Michigan. The Tigers can switch, and they have the big bodies and athleticism to deal with Goldin and Danny Wolf.

Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldi
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

Michigan football receives prediction to land four-star offensive lineman

Minnesota Vikings still haven't confirmed J.J. McCarthy as the starting quarterback in 2025

Michigan Basketball: Dusty May talks challenges of transfer portal opening during a NCAA Tournament run

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:


Published
Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

Share on XFollow @trentknoop