Michigan Basketball vs Michigan State: How to watch, preview and predictions
Michigan plays well, but falls short
If you are still as bummed about the Purdue loss as I am, you might not want to read this prediction. I expect the Wolverines to play really well. I just don’t think Michigan basketball beats Michigan State on the road.
Michigan Wolverines Basketball
The Spartans are such a good team and after almost losing to Rutgers, Tom Izzo will certainly make sure his team is laser focused.
However, Michigan basketball isn’t going to be a pushover. Moe Wagner and Charles Matthews will both need to play well, but freshmen Jordan Poole and Isaiah Livers could surprise. Both seem to keep making more of an impact. Livers especially.
Zavier Simpson is doing the same thing and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman is playing as good as we all hoped at the start of the season.
The starting five plus Poole, Livers and Teske, is where Beilein needs to go. The rotation shouldn’t be any deeper than that. If the 3-point shots are falling and the Wolverines keep defending as well as they have been (62.1 PPG, 14th NCAA), they got a shot.
This is a critical game for both teams and while I expect a close contest, the Spartans are just too good for Michigan to beat in East Lansing. So I think the Wolverines will lose a close and competitive game, which won’t be anything to be ashamed about.
Next: Top 15 Michigan quarterbacks of all time
Prediction: Michigan State 81, Michigan 73.