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 Tyler Fenwick To Hoke's Mad Magicians

With staff moves and reassignments, we have added young writer Tyler Fenwick to our staff.  He will be primarily covering football, but might touch a bit into recruiting.  Our former football writer, Tyler Desy, will be moving to be our primary Recruiting Analyst.  Michigan football is one of Tyler's biggest passions and one of his future goals is to continue writing about Michigan athletics and perhaps major in journalism during college.

Some interesting facts about Tyler.  Tyler competes in cross country, baseball, and some ultimate frisbee.  His favorite music is hip-hop and rap, although he speculates this might have to do with a rebellious teen phase.  His favorite current Michigan player is Denard Robinsion, but his all-time favorite player is Mike Hart.  The most amazing place he's ever been are the Badlands in South Dakota, although the Big House is a close second.

Tyler should be bringing some great coverage of Michigan football to the blog and will be bringing an interesting perspective to fans as can be seen in his first post here.

If you'd like to follow Tyler on Twitter, you can follow him here: @Real_tFen

Stay tuned for some great coverage from Tyler in the future and Go Blue!