Now that today's games are in the books, the calculus of rooting for UofM has shifted. This morning, I proposed the argument that it was in MSU's best interest to get the 2-seed in the BTT in order to line up a shot to play (and beat) both Purdue and Ohio State. This was MSU's best shot at boosting our tournament resume for March. Now that Michigan has defeated OSU, this option is basically off the table (unless you want to root for MSU to lose one of our last 2 games)
So, now, unfortunately, the best way for MSU to boost its resume is for Michigan to win as many games as possible until the BTT semis. MSU will very likely get the 1-seed in the BTT, and based on the way the bracket is shaking out, Michigan will get the 4 or 5 seed, which lines up to play the 1-seed in the Semifinals. Michigan's RPI is 28, which is not far behind suddenly fading OSU at 20. But, Michigan has two tricky road games remaining at Penn State and Maryland. They would then need to most likely beat Nebraska in the quarterfinals. If they win all these games, their RPI will certainly stay in the 20s, which would be a quality win for MSU. As a side benefit, if Michigan can keep their RPI over 30, MSU's loss to Michigan would remain a quad 1 loss, which is also good for MSU.
Yes, MSU fans, this is what happens when you root for Michigan to win. This is now the situation that we are in.
If MSU gets to the finals, it is sort of a push between whether beating OSU or Purdue in the Final would be better. Purdue has the better RPI (12), but there is a certain benefit of beating OSU, as MSU would then have a win over all 13 other Big Ten teams, and would have avenged 2 of our 3 losses. That seems better to me.
The counter argument, of course, is that Michigan winning is never good. I am not really going to argue with that opinion. The problem, I realize, is that both today and now over the next 2 weeks, wins for Michigan are just improving the probability of something good happening for MSU's future. If Michigan loses out, MSU could still just win all of the rest of our games, and we would still rack up a regular season and tournament Big Ten championship, as well as another Final Four and National Title. We don't need them to accomplish any of those goals. But, UofM winning does seem to improve our odds.
The problem is, Michigan winning always carries with it a slight to moderate negative impact to MSU. The effect is not a future one, it is immediate. That is the difference. If you decide to root for Michigan going forward, you are trading an increased chance for something positive for MSU's future, for a guaranteed slight negative now. That is a tough call. I am not sure which side of this argument I am on.
I will probably just default to the idea that I won't root for Michigan, but I will not exactly be sad if they win. Ugh.
So, now, unfortunately, the best way for MSU to boost its resume is for Michigan to win as many games as possible until the BTT semis. MSU will very likely get the 1-seed in the BTT, and based on the way the bracket is shaking out, Michigan will get the 4 or 5 seed, which lines up to play the 1-seed in the Semifinals. Michigan's RPI is 28, which is not far behind suddenly fading OSU at 20. But, Michigan has two tricky road games remaining at Penn State and Maryland. They would then need to most likely beat Nebraska in the quarterfinals. If they win all these games, their RPI will certainly stay in the 20s, which would be a quality win for MSU. As a side benefit, if Michigan can keep their RPI over 30, MSU's loss to Michigan would remain a quad 1 loss, which is also good for MSU.
Yes, MSU fans, this is what happens when you root for Michigan to win. This is now the situation that we are in.
If MSU gets to the finals, it is sort of a push between whether beating OSU or Purdue in the Final would be better. Purdue has the better RPI (12), but there is a certain benefit of beating OSU, as MSU would then have a win over all 13 other Big Ten teams, and would have avenged 2 of our 3 losses. That seems better to me.
The counter argument, of course, is that Michigan winning is never good. I am not really going to argue with that opinion. The problem, I realize, is that both today and now over the next 2 weeks, wins for Michigan are just improving the probability of something good happening for MSU's future. If Michigan loses out, MSU could still just win all of the rest of our games, and we would still rack up a regular season and tournament Big Ten championship, as well as another Final Four and National Title. We don't need them to accomplish any of those goals. But, UofM winning does seem to improve our odds.
The problem is, Michigan winning always carries with it a slight to moderate negative impact to MSU. The effect is not a future one, it is immediate. That is the difference. If you decide to root for Michigan going forward, you are trading an increased chance for something positive for MSU's future, for a guaranteed slight negative now. That is a tough call. I am not sure which side of this argument I am on.
I will probably just default to the idea that I won't root for Michigan, but I will not exactly be sad if they win. Ugh.
