Michigan Historically Good?

[Eight_Banners]

I actually think this team should be in conversation for greatest of all time given how efficient the college game has become. They weren’t just good — they absolutely destroyed everything in their path. They’re up there with 1990 UNLV, 1992 Duke, 1996 Kentucky, 2001 Duke, 2009 North Carolina in my lifetime.

I haven't had a chance to break down their scoring margins over the season, but they mowed through the tournament field, with the only exception being UCONN in the championship game.

They had very impressive wins this season, even though their three losses were a little underwhelming compared to the 96, 2012, and 2015 Wildcats. I would have to put them in the all-time great conversation, if the 2015 Cats are there, since they finished the work.

 

[UKCowboys]

They are certainly not "historically good" unless Historically means the last 25-30 years. They are a top 10-15 team of the last 30. All time though, you start talking about teams that had HOFer's that couldn't leave early and stayed in programs for four years

 

[Eight_Banners]

They are certainly not "historically good" unless Historically means the last 25-30 years. They are a top 10-15 team of the last 30. All time though, you start talking about teams that had HOFer's that couldn't leave early and stayed in programs for four years

No. When I think about "historically good," I'm thinking about teams that dominated their respective years. Even the UNLV, Duke, UK teams of the late 80s and early 90s, though they often did return players, each season was a unique team. Now, talking about "dynasties" is a different. I'm not sure that can even be a topic of conversation because no two college basketball teams are the same.

As far as Michigan being historically good, I would say yes, and that they are definitely a top 10 team of the last 25-30 years, and probably top 5. They absolutely steamrolled teams in the regular season and through the tournament. Obviously, they lost 3, which keeps them from being the clear number one, but their body of work is worth considering as an all-time great team.

 

[Eight_Banners]

I actually think this team should be in conversation for greatest of all time given how efficient the college game has become. They weren’t just good — they absolutely destroyed everything in their path. They’re up there with 1990 UNLV, 1992 Duke, 1996 Kentucky, 2001 Duke, 2009 North Carolina in my lifetime.

2026 Michigan:

Season average margin of victory:
19.4

Conference Tournament:
Lost in finals

Tournament average margin of victory:
19

Tournament Path:
Howard (MEAC Champions)
St. Louis (A-10 Chamption)
Alabama (2nd in SEC)
Tennessee (4th in SEC) --- won by 33 against UT, an even larger margin than against Howard
Arizona (Big-12 Champtions)
UConn (2nd in Big East)


2012 Wildcats:

Season average margin of victory:
19.2

Conference Tournament:
Lost in finals

Tournament average margin of victory:
11.8

Tournament Path:
Western Kentucky (3rd in Sun Belt)
Iowa State (3rd in Big 12)
Indiana (5th in Big 10)
Baylor (3rd in Big 12)
Louisville (7th in Big East)
Kansas (1st in the Big 12)

This Kentucky team definitely had the easier path in the NCAA tournament, and Michigan still had a higher margin of victory.


1996 Kentucky Wildcats:

Season average margin of victory:
23.4

Conference Tournament:
Lost in the finals

Tournament average margin of victory:
21.5

Tournament Path:
San Jose State (5th in Big West)
Virginia Tech (1st in A-10 West)
Utah (1st in WAC)
Wake Forest (2nd in ACC)
UMass (1st in A-10 East)
Syracuse (2nd in Big East)

This Kentucky team was just dominant. I think they are the historically best team ever, and every time I run the numbers it reminds me how impressive they were. I mean, they scored 86 points in the first half at LSU. Any team that does that is probably the best to every do college basketball.

 

[Catlogic1552]

Two things:

1.) Michigan is historically dominant and trending towards being the best team ever analytically.

2.) They will still lose and you can come back to this post and remember that I said it. They will not win the title (as much as I’d actually prefer them to.)

BUSTED!

 

[CELTICAT]

37 wins in a season and the Natty is historically good. Not to mention they may have ended Hurley’s strangle hold on the game.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

I actually think this team should be in conversation for greatest of all time given how efficient the college game has become. They weren’t just good — they absolutely destroyed everything in their path. They’re up there with 1990 UNLV, 1992 Duke, 1996 Kentucky, 2001 Duke, 2009 North Carolina in my lifetime.

Really good tournament run too. Only Uconn got within single digits. And honestly beating Uconn, Arizona, UT and Alabama is no picnic of a schedule.

We talk all the time about being in the top 25 both offense and defense. How about 4th on offense and 1st on defense.

There was zero holes on this team.........and that's why they won.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

The other thing.......Arizona and Duke........were also very good this season regardless of how their last games turned out. Any other year those teams may have won a title and would have almost certainly been the favorites.

Those teams basically got 2015 UK'd lol.

 

[darkshadesofblue]

Them and Florida are the only two programs I can think of that have won a title in CFB & BB and have been dominant doing so

 

[Anon1751335390]

Saw a system had them 3rd behind ‘99 Duke and ‘96 UK.

 

[Eight_Banners]

Them and Florida are the only two programs I can think of that have won a title in CFB & BB and have been dominant doing so

Yeah. Florida won both the basketball and football titles in 2006, too.

 

[HeismanWinner]

I think 26 Michigan and 18 Villanova are the two best champions since we won it in 2012.

 

[Noledynasty2490]

2026 Michigan:

Season average margin of victory:
19.4

Conference Tournament:
Lost in finals

Tournament average margin of victory:
19

Tournament Path:
Howard (MEAC Champions)
St. Louis (A-10 Chamption)
Alabama (2nd in SEC)
Tennessee (4th in SEC) --- won by 33 against UT, an even larger margin than against Howard
Arizona (Big-12 Champtions)
UConn (2nd in Big East)


2012 Wildcats:

Season average margin of victory:
19.2

Conference Tournament:
Lost in finals

Tournament average margin of victory:
11.8

Tournament Path:
Western Kentucky (3rd in Sun Belt)
Iowa State (3rd in Big 12)
Indiana (5th in Big 10)
Baylor (3rd in Big 12)
Louisville (7th in Big East)
Kansas (1st in the Big 12)

This Kentucky team definitely had the easier path in the NCAA tournament, and Michigan still had a higher margin of victory.


1996 Kentucky Wildcats:

Season average margin of victory:
23.4

Conference Tournament:
Lost in the finals

Tournament average margin of victory:
21.5

Tournament Path:
San Jose State (5th in Big West)
Virginia Tech (1st in A-10 West)
Utah (1st in WAC)
Wake Forest (2nd in ACC)
UMass (1st in A-10 East)
Syracuse (2nd in Big East)

This Kentucky team was just dominant. I think they are the historically best team ever, and every time I run the numbers it reminds me how impressive they were. I mean, they scored 86 points in the first half at LSU. Any team that does that is probably the best to every do college basketball.

I mean, Stats don't lie, but go back and watch those 2012 tourney games and see how many huge leads they had in all those games..(besides UL I think) before Cal pulled in the reigns and went to stall ball.

 

Noledynasty2490

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[RunninRichie]

I think 26 Michigan and 18 Villanova are the two best champions since we won it in 2012.

I feel like 2024 UCONN is up there.

 

[Drogon]

That defense was amazing. Only Arizona gave up less(2)

During the 2025–26 season, the three teams that recorded a "Kill Shot" (a scoring run of 10–0 or better) against Michigan were Auburn, Maryland, and UConn.
These three instances were the only times Michigan's defense allowed a double-digit run in their 40-game championship campaign.
EvanMiya +1

Teams That Recorded Kill Shots Against Michigan

• Auburn (November 25, 2025): During a neutral-site matchup in Las Vegas, Auburn utilized their high-pressure defense to string together a 10–0 run. This was the first Kill Shot Michigan surrendered all season.
• Maryland (December 13, 2025): In the Big Ten opener at Maryland, the Terrapins went on a 12–0 run late in the first half to take a nine-point lead. Michigan eventually recovered to win comfortably, and this was their last Kill Shot conceded for over three months.
• UConn (April 6, 2026): In the National Championship game, the Huskies recorded the final Kill Shot against Michigan with a 10–0 burst midway through the second half to briefly take the lead before Michigan pulled away for the title.

 

[HeismanWinner]

I feel like 2024 UCONN is up there.

Ah, you're totally right. Whiffed on including them. They were. That was one of the most boring tournaments because it was a foregone conclusion.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Ah, you're totally right. Whiffed on including them. They were. That was one of the most boring tournaments because it was a foregone conclusion.

UCONN won all 12 ncaa tournament games by double digits. That is still crazy to me back to back years

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

2023 Uconn got misseeded so poorly lol

At one point in the season they were sitting at 16-6 and 5-6 in conference. I think they were dealing with a couple of injuries tho.

Well they got healthy and despite being a 4 seed many had them pegged to win it all. That team was 4th overall going into the tournament according to Kenpom and was given.......a 4 seed lol.