Community Picks: Michigan 0% vs Notre Dame 0%

You shouldn’t be surprised by Tom Brady’s pick to win the NCAA tournament. The New England Patriots quarterback revealed his bracket, sort of, on his Facebook page Wednesday. Here’s what it looks like: Continue to Article

March 17, 2016 2:07:pm EST

Play Tourney Pick'em  |  Fill out your bracket   |  Print it   |  Celebrity Challenge The most criticized at-large selection in this year's NCAA tournament couldn't capitalize on its good fortune. Tulsa caught Michigan on off shooting night from behind the arc yet failed to take advantage, falling 67-62 on Wednesday night in a First Four game between No. 11 seeds. The game's biggest shot was a go-ahead 3-pointer from wing Zak Irvin that gave Michigan a two-point lead with just under a minute to play. The typically sweet-shooting Wolverines had been 5-for-24 from behind the arc prior to Irvin's shot. Tulsa coach Frank Haith called timeout to design a potential game-tying play on the ensuing possession, but the set the Golden Hurricane ran produced an errant jumper from slumping Pat Birt. Michigan secured the rebound and closed out the victory at the foul line to advance to a round of 64 matchup  on Friday against Notre Dame. It's tempting to suggest Tulsa either proved it belonged in the NCAA tournament with a respectable showing or proved it didn't belong by failing to advance, but the reality is neither argument stands up.  A one-game sample size wasn't going to prove or disprove whether Tulsa was worthy. Its previous 31 games showed it ought to be playing in the NIT. Tulsa (20-12) was a surprise inclusion on Sunday as the final at-large team into the field despite a pedestrian resume that featured a couple of solid home victories over fellow bubble teams and one quality road win at SMU. It was such a shocker for the Golden Hurricane to be included actually admitted to a friend on Twitter last weekend that his team had blown its chance by falling twice to Memphis in the previous two weeks. Somehow Tulsa got in anyway, earning a date with a one-dimensional Michigan team that itself was among the most controversial at-large selections due to its 4-12 record against top 100 competition. The Wolverines had four top 30 wins, but those were the only remotely decent teams they had beaten all season. Now Michigan gains entry into the main draw and Tulsa heads home. It's not a referendum on which team belonged and which didn't. It's just a squandered opportunity for the Golden Hurricane and a satisfying victory for the Wolverines.   - - - - - - - Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @JeffEisenberg Continue to Article

March 17, 2016 12:35:am EST

Tournament time has become Michigan's time, especially those last few drama-packed seconds. Zak Irvin hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and a pair of free throws in the closing minute as Michigan rallied at the end yet again on Wednesday night, beating Tulsa 67-62 in the First Four. The Wolverines (23-12) made the leap from bubble team to the NCAA Tournament by pulling out a couple of close ones. Continue to Article

March 17, 2016 12:25:am EST

Zak Irvin hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and a pair of free throws in the closing minute as Michigan pulled out another one at the end on Wednesday night, beating Tulsa 67-62 in the First Four. The Wolverines (23-12) made the leap from bubble team to the NCAA Tournament with their last-second drama. Tulsa (20-12) got 23 points from Shaquille Harrison, but its senior-laden lineup couldn't keep up at the end. Continue to Article

March 16, 2016 11:43:pm EST