10 years have passed and Michigan men's basketball team, have never made it to the NCAA Tournament.



This season is not the same for the Wolverines, their coach, John Beilein have figured out a formula for the same, win some games in the non-conference season, win some matches against the top-five opponents.

Stay intact at home court against the Big Ten, register a win against the rivals Illinois team on a not so packed home court, win on the road conference games.

Most of the variables of the above formula have fallen in place, except winning on road conference games.

Wolverines have a very hectic schedule lined up ahead of them. They are scheduled to play at Illinois, Ohio State, Purdue, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota. All the games are very crucial and all the teams except Indiana are competitive. The Indiana Hoosiers are a relatively new team, struggling with form and lack depth.

It is not only the schedule which is taxing; it is the lack of on road experience that might worry the Wolverines. That is why the match against the IU is very crucial; if they manage to clinch a victory then it would be a big booster for the Wolverines.

Wolverines would want to put their dismal performance of 10-22 of last season behind them and for that they would be looking to register wins against their rival Big Tens. Considering the performance of Indiana lately, the win against them will not affect the decision of the selection committee but will do loads of good to the morale of the Wolverines, because they haven't won even a single game at Indiana since 1955. It will also set the ball rolling and develop a momentum which will help them when they confront the cream of the Big Ten.

The only true road game that Wolverines have played this season is against Maryland, which they lost. Michigan (1-1 Big Ten, 11-3 overall) played six games away from home, last year, out of these they lost to Harvard and Duke.

Wolverine players seem to be more confident this time around, freshman Zack Novak, is one such promising talent and is soaring in confidence with every passing game. Though Novak is yet to start an on road game, he is a fearless shooter and is quick on his feet. Other Wolverines stars like Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims also seem to be more prepared than ever and if the trio works in tandem, then they will wreck havoc on the court.

With a talented team and a good overall performance, Coach John Beilein can expect that his formula will work wonders for the Wolverines and get them to the NCAA tournament after 10 long years.