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7 ESPN experts pick Michigan to the Final Four

Michigan had the second most votes to win the crowded West Region.

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Des Moines Practice Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Bracketology is exploding with time quickly ticking on brackets locking for the NCAA Tournament. Seven ESPN experts, including Jay Bilas, think Michigan has a strong chance to make it to the Final Four in Minneapolis this season.

Although they are not the favorite to make it to Minneapolis, the Wolverines garnered seven of the 29 votes to make the Final Four. The No. 1 overall seed in the West Region, Gonzaga, received the most votes with 14.

Behind the Wolverines seven votes are the No. 3 seed Texas Tech with five votes, and No. 6 Buffalo, No. 4 Florida State and No. 12 Murray State each earning a selection. Michigan’s region was the most muddled with six different teams garnering Final Four selections. All three other regions had only three teams that earned votes.

Despite many different teams earning votes, only five analysts have a member of the West Region winning it all, and all five picked Gonzaga. Gonzaga had the second most votes for winning it all behind only the Duke Blue Devils, who had over half the votes.

For those wondering about our in-state rivals, four experts have the Spartans beating Duke and making the Final Four. One went far enough to say Michigan State would end up as the National Champs.

Kentucky was the only other non-No. 1 seed to receive a vote for cutting down the nets at the end of the season. Even they earned just one vote despite 12 Final Four projections.

What do you all think? Join our bracket challenge and compete against some of your favorite contributors to Maize n Brew here!

The Wolverines kickoff their 2019 National Championship run on Thursday night against the No. 15 seeded Montana Grizzlies. Tip off is at 8:20 p.m. on TNT.