Michigan Basketball: Wolverines will meet Power 5’s in Maui Invitational

Michigan basketball is in Hawaii to take part in the Maui Invitational and right away, the Wolverines will find a Power 5 opponent in LSU.

Michigan basketball has played three games already this season. But they haven’t played anyone of consequence. But in Hawaii, at the Maui Invitational, that will change, especially if the Wolverines win Monday night.

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While many Michigan fans are hurting right now after Saturday’s loss, the hoops team is 3-0 and takes on SEC foe LSU tonight on ESPNU. Unfortunately, for you early birds, tip-off is set for 11 p.m EST.

The most exciting thing about tonight’s game, is it gives us a look at how Michigan basketball plays against a legit opponent. The Tigers are ranked 76th in the Kenpom Rankings. UM is 42nd, so it should be a good matchup. And if the Wolverines win, Notre Dame will likely be waiting in the wings.

Outside of Chaminade, the host team, the field is legit. The other side of the bracket features Cal and Wichita State, as well as VCU and Marquette. There are tournament regulars and solid programs everywhere.

Regardless of what happens, Michigan basketball will play three games, with one each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If the Wolverines win tonight, it should give them three straight games against really good opponents. On a neutral floor, that’s never a bad thing. Those kinds of wins are always good to have on the NCAA Tournament resume.

However, coming into these games, there is some uncertainty for the Wolverines. They are undefeated, but they haven’t played anyone yet. North Florida and Central Michigan hung around way too long and Southern Miss didn’t make it easy either.

Michigan is a young team and they are a work in progress. Hopefully, this week allows them to come together.

There are a lot of good things going for Michigan, such as Duncan Robinson, who is leading the team in scoring (14.3 PPG). Moritz Wagner is also off to a solid start with 13.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Charles Matthews and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rakhman are also in double figures.

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Yet, the Wolverines are scoring only 73 points a game, which ranks 224th in the country. They are also shooting just 32.9 percent from three, which is 221st. The backcourt duo of Zavier Simpson and Jaaron Simmons are averaging just more than eight points per game, although Michigan is 19th in the country in fewest turnovers.

Defensively, Michigan also has some weird things going on. On 2-point shots, the Wolverines are allowing just 39 percent makes, while allowing 48 percent makes from 3-point range. They are 39th at defending 2’s and 350th when it comes to defending the three.

LSU (2-0) hasn’t played anybody either, which is why the Tigers are currently averaging 104 points per game. It might also be why they have attempted very few 3-pointers. Even against weak competition, they are allowing 72.5 PPG. Teams are shooting 44 percent against the Tigers and 35 percent from beyond the arc.

Freshman guard Tremont Waters is leading LSU with 16 points and seven assists per game. Brandon Sampson, Skylar Mays, Wayde Simps and Duop Reath are also scoring in double digits.

If Michigan wins tonight, it would face Notre Dame Tuesday in the semifinals, barring a monumental upset by Chaminade. In the championship game, there is a good bet it will see Wichita State. in the consolation game, if Michigan plays for third, it could see a team like Marquette, Cal or VCU.

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Either way, Michigan basketball will be challenged in the next three days and when the Wolverines leave Maui, we will have a much better idea of who they are and how good they can be.