***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***

[ISU_Guy]

Now I see this game and removed Iowa state from the mix. This was a terrible matchup for us, especially given Jefferson.

I just thought that we’d be able to turn them over consistently given that’s their Achilles heel

 

[CYDJ]

#21 for Michigan has incredible footwork. He can make such great moves. It LOOKS like he is just walking backwards toward the basket down low, but the officials would see things obvious like that, right? Must just be "athletic" and I can't understand the athleticism.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

Now I see this game and removed Iowa state from the mix. This was a terrible matchup for us, especially given Jefferson.

I just thought that we’d be able to turn them over consistently given that’s their Achilles heel

Yeah the takes of people wanting Michaign always had big ten blinders on. Outside of Zona or a fully healthy Duke team they aren’t losing

 

[Letterkenny]

Michigan is actually making Tennessee pay for sending 4-5 guys to the offensive glass and burning them on fast breaks.

 

[cyclones500]

I wonder how many free throws will be attempted in this U-M-Tennessee game. On pace for at least 50.

 

[isuno1fan]

AZ-MI will be defacto NCG.

 

[ClonerJams]

That got ugly quickly.

 

[BigJCy]

AZ-MI will be defacto NCG.

Unfortunately kind of like the spot Duke may be in. Zona-Michigan has an absolute slugfest Saturday and Duke just waiting for them coming off that game Monday Night.

 

[cyclones500]

Michigan could win by 40, if I wants.

 

[enisthemenace]

Could be a really interesting game. Tennessee turns it over a lot, but Michigan is like 260th in forced turnovers. Tennessee might just be able to match up with Michigan, physically, which is where Michigan kills you.

If Tennessee can keep the turnovers respectable, they can win that game.

Or not…

 

[CYDJ]

Just a technicality, basket interference and a nevermind. Officials have an impact on the game, don't they? Watch them catch a goaltending on Tenn in the second half....

Should have been an auto call.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Now I see this game and removed Iowa state from the mix. This was a terrible matchup for us, especially given Jefferson.

I just thought that we’d be able to turn them over consistently given that’s their Achilles heel

I think we could have given Michigan a game if we had a fully healthy Jefferson - I still we're as good as any team in the nation when we had our full lineup. But watching this today, with Jefferson injured, even if he played some spot minutes, this wouldn't have ended well.

 

[cyclones500]

Tennessee might have players entering the transfer portal at halftime.

 

[Letterkenny]

Just a technicality, basket interference and a nevermind. Officials have an impact on the game, don't they? Watch them catch a goaltending on Tenn in the second half....

Should have been an auto call.

I might be in the minority, but I don't care about missed calls when they don't effect the outcome of the play.

 

[FriendlySpartan]

I think we could have given Michigan a game if we had a fully healthy Jefferson - I still we're as good as any team in the nation when we had our full lineup. But watching this today, with Jefferson injured, even if he played some spot minutes, this wouldn't have ended well.

Would have been interesting with the on ball pressure ISU can deliver but Michigans size combined with ISU’s scoring droughts would have been tough to overcome

 

[GoHawks]

AZ-MI will be defacto NCG.

Definitely 2 best teams but other team regardless will be capable if they don't play reasonably well. It won't be San Diego State vs UConn of 23

 

[CYDJ]

I might by in the minority, but I don't care about missed calls when they don't effect the outcome of the play.

I see your point. You don't want to slow the pace of the game down for touch fouls or things like that. If it called consistently both ways, I can see where you are coming from.

But, for others things I don't.

In your view, every shot that is attempted should allow any athletic guy to just shove the ball through the rim, no matter where it is on the rim or in any part of the cylinder becuase it doesn't really affect the play. Right?

The dude not only touched the net, he touched the rim and not only the rim, he touched the ball. Just becuase it was obvious that the ball would have stayed in the basket no matter hios interference, does not make it a non-violation.

There are absolutes and technical rules becuase you DON'T know exactly what is going to happen at all times and they HAVE to be enforced. That is what is FAIR. Not, "wow, that was athletic, we'll just let that one go then", or some such crap. Call it consistently and call it by the book. Then, let the teams play. That is what is fair and right. It just drives me nuts when it is NOT done correctly.

 

[FallOf81]

Texts to me from Iowa fans last night were heavy for about 2/3rds of the game. I didnt watch the second half but could tell what happened when the texts dried up. I never text Hawkeye fans during ISU games. Not sure why they always love to yap about them doing well to ISU. They do shut up quick though when they lose. Almost like it never happened. Why the in state rivals threads have collapsed on this board.

"Almost like it never happened". Just like 80% of them who never attended that school.

 

[cyclones500]

Michigan's ball movement is somethin' else.

 

[Urbandale2013]

Sour grapes incoming:

I don’t think Tennessee is that impressive. We would have beat them with J-Jeff.

I think we would have beat them today without Jefferson.