A Recap of Michigan Basketball Season Staff Predictions

Michigan beating the Buckeyes to split the season

Well, now that the season is over, we are entering the black void commonly referred to as the offseason.  Basically, we have 5-6 months to discuss what happened in the previous season, recruiting, and what is going to happen next season.  Today, we're going to take the first option and discuss some of the predictions our staff writers had for Michigan's season.  Of course, many of these predictions did not come true and several of these writers have now left Hoke's Mad Magicians (went on to do some exciting stuff), but it's still always fun to see how everyone did.  So let's take a look:

• Staff Predictions:
• Thomas Beindit (@tbeindit)
• 26-5 record
• Solid B1G tournament run
• Solid NCAA Tournament run
• Splits with Indiana, MSU, loss to Wisconsin, and 2 random losses
• Kyle Curtiss (@maizenblu)
• 27-4 record
• 1 non-conference loss
• Loss to Indiana, MSU, and a boneheaded loss
• Tyler Desy (@aka_TMD)
• 27-4 record
• Elite 8 run 
• Tyler Fenwick (@tFly_GetsBuckets)
• 26-5 record
• Final Four run
• Joel Wiscombe (@joelwGoBlue)
• 27-4 record
• Sweet Sixteen run
• Splits with Indiana, OSU, MSU

So the predictions were pretty similar across the board.  Michigan ended up finishing with a 25-6 regular season record with losses to Ohio State, Indiana (twice), Wisconsin, MSU, and Penn State.  They made it to the 2nd round of the Big Ten Tournament and went to the national championship game in the NCAA Tournament.  In terms of raw record, Tyler Fenwick and I tied for the closest prediction at 26-5.  The remaining guys were just a little too optimistic about our chances.

In terms of postseason predictions, Tyler Fenwick had the closest prediction as he called the Final Four run before the beginning of the year.  Tyler Desy predicted the Elite 8, but did say the team could go further.  Kyle didn't make a postseason prediction and Joel was a little less optimistic with a Sweet Sixteen prediction.  I predicted solid Big Ten and NCAA Tournament runs, but didn't specify on how far.  Honestly, I probably would have predicted us farther in the Big Ten Tournament, but probably not quite as far in the NCAA Tournament.  I had a ton of confidence before the season began, but Final Fours are difficult to make, especially with so little tourney experience on the roster.

So Tyler probably had the "best" overall predictions using these measures, although everybody was pretty close when you break things down.  I also made a TON of predictions regarding different things about the team and the schedule.  If you want to take a peak at them, just click here: predictions.

Welcome Joel Wiscombe To Hoke's Mad Magicians!

We here at Hoke's Mad Magicians are thrilled to announce that we have added Joel Wiscombe to our staff. He will be one of our football recruiting analysts and will bring us an interesting perspective on all things on the recruiting trail for Michigan.

Joel was born in 1975, attended UTEP, is married, and has 4 children, 1 girl and 3 boys.  He identifies himself as a lifelong Wolverines, despite living in Texas.  His father, who passed away a year ago, was borin in Pontiact to immigrant parents and played for Pontiac Sr High for a former Wolverine, Hercules Renda.  His grandfather worked in GM plants and he was raised as a Wolverine fan, growing up on the stories of Yost, Canham, Bennie O', and of course Old '98.  He grew up in the time of Bo, saw the Moeller and Carr years, and the '97 championship was his senior year of college.

His first favorite running back was Jaime Morris and his favorite Wolverine of all-time is Charles Woodson, not just because of his talent, but because he really experienced his success.  He refuses to wear red for the same reasons as Coach Hoke and balled at his first trip to the Big House.  He has even instructed his family to disperse his ashes there if/when he dies.

Some fun facts about Joel, he loves rock and alternative and especially Metallica.  He has a cousin in the Detroit area who plays in a band.  He also has a lot of family in the Detroit area.  So even though he may not live here, he has many connections.

Joel will be bringing great analysis and original content for our football recruiting.  We all know Michigan fans are passionate about football recruiting, so we expect everyone to enjoy Joel's future posts.  If you would like to read his first featured article for Hoke's Mad Magicians, click here.

If you'd like to follow Joel on Twitter, his username is joelwGoBlue.

Stay tuned for some great updates and Go Blue!