In a normal year, it probably wouldn’t be much of a discussion. Michigan baseball’s No. 90 RPI and No. 141 strength of schedule, combined with a solid, but not astounding 27-17 record in a not particularly well-regarded conference, would likely preclude it from NCAA Tournament consideration.
But...wait for it.. 2021 is far from a normal year.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Big Ten elected to play a conference-only schedule this season. It also chose to do away with the conference tournament, meaning that the Wolverines’ postseason fate was totally out of its hands from the moment Nebraska clinched the Big Ten’s regular-season crown last weekend.