Auburn and West Virginia at Michigan

Recap

The Big Storyline: Auburn and Michigan had some off-kilter moments in this one. Michigan was nervy on beam and gave away tenths on vault landings. Auburn had its own beam struggles—counting Suni Lee’s 9.800 SV set after she lost credit for her series—and seemed a bit gassed on floor. The fatigue makes sense given that the Tigers were coming off of a high-emotion double meet weekend last week against Florida and at Elevate the Stage Huntsville. West Virginia, on the other hand, did exactly what it needed to to get a solid away number for its NQS, with especially strong work on bars and floor where its attention to detail in leaps stood out.

Implications: Michigan will be unable to take sole possession of No. 1 back but can’t fall below No. 4, so it is comfortably a one-seed for regionals heading into its last chance to add a big away number to the mix at Big Tens in Columbus next week. LSU passed Auburn and Alabama, which are now tied at No. 6 and sitting in position for a second seed with SECs to go. After Sunday meets, there was a lot of shuffling in the bubble teams, but West Virginia is securely in the top 36.

Records: Michigan set an all-time attendance record with 12,707 fans in the Crisler Center, its first-ever sellout for gymnastics.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. T-5 Auburn and No. 33 West Virginia at No. 3 Michigan

Why You Should Cancel Plans for It: Michigan is going to come into this one with a bone to pick after dropping out of the top spot nationally for the first time all year. What better way to close out your home season than with a high-stakes meet against the reigning Olympic champion? Auburn is on a roll and will want  a big away number to break that No. 5 tie and sit in position for a one-seed at regionals. It’s a big one NQS-wise for West Virginia, too, which currently sits on the regional bubble.

What We’re Watching: This meet could become a 10-fest. The Crisler Center judges haven’t thrown them out like candy this year, but it is senior night and the environment should be intense. We could also see six 10.0 start value vaults from both Michigan and Auburn. If the Mountaineers will get in on the score party, it’ll likely be on floor where Kendra Combs in particular has been spectacular. 

What Else You Should Know Before Tuning In: Bev Plocki is a Mountaineer gymnastics alumna. She was recently inducted into West Virginia’s athletics hall of fame.