Michigan Basketball vs Northwestern: How to watch, storylines and more
Michigan basketball will play Northwestern Monday in a must-win game for the Wolverines NCAA tournament hopes. Here’s how to watch and what to know.
After playing four games in eight days, Michigan basketball got a break this week. The Wolverines played Purdue last Thursday, but by the time UM hosts Northwestern Monday, it will be just their second game in eight days.
Of course, the loss to Purdue was heartbreaking. Michigan basketball really played well and if not for some free throw line woes, it could have won the game. In fact, the Wolverines are the only team to average more than 1.3 points per possession and still lose a game. That’s how well the team played against Purdue.
Unfortunately, like the previous loss to the Boilermakers, it doesn’t do much for the resume. It helps Michigan pass the eye test I suppose, but the committee doesn’t reward teams for almost winning games.
Bottom line is that Michigan ran into Purdue, one of the best teams in the country on two occasions. The loss will drop the Wolverines from the top 25, but they should remain an eight seed or so in NCAA tournament projections.
Yet, at 6-4 in the Big Ten and 16-6 overall, UM is still in good position. But to stay there, Michigan needs to be Northwestern, a team it will play twice in three games starting Monday.
Game Info:
Game 24: Michigan vs Northwestern
When: 7:00 PM EST
Where: Crisler Arena
TV: FS1
Streaming: FoxSports2Go
Radio: WWJ (950 AM) in Detroit
Preview and Predictions:
While a lot of people look at the RPI, the polls or bracket projections to judge teams, the KenPom rankings are as good at measuring teams as any metric.
Michigan basketball isn’t likely to be ranked in the AP or coaches top 25 polls this week, but if you just looked at the raw numbers, it probably would be. KenPom does that and he has the Wolverines ranked 24th this week. Purdue is No. 3. Northwestern, a team that’s 13-9 and 4-5 in the Big Ten, is 82nd.
According to KenPom, the Wolverines are 36th when it comes to adjusted offense and 30th in the nation when it comes to adjusted defense. The Wildcats, on the other hand, are 82nd offensively and 97th on defense. That sets up a matchup that should favor Michigan basketball, especially with the game in Ann Arbor.
Michigan Wolverines Basketball
The Wildcats average 73 points a game, but allow 67.1 to opponents. And while the team has underachieved so far this season, Michigan can’t take Northwestern for granted.
Northwestern still has a solid core of players led by Scottie Lindsey (14 PPG) and Bryant McIntosh (13.0 PPG). Vic Law, who also averages 12.9 per game and Derek Pardon (11.5 PPG) are other important parts of the lineup.
The Wildcats may not have the depth of the Wolverines, but they are well coached and do a good job of not beating themselves.
Like Michigan basketball, Northwestern is good at limiting fouls and turnovers. Yet, NU also does a poor job of defending the 3-point line and is among the worst offensive rebounding teams in the nation.
All in all, it should be a competitive game. Both teams need it desperately for their NCAA tournament hopes, albeit Northwestern probably needs it a little more.
It’s the first of back-to-back home games for Michigan against teams ranked in the 90’s by the RPI. Northwestern is 93rd, Minnesota is 94th. If the Wolverines win both games, they would be 8-4 in the Big Ten and 18-6 overall. They would also have seven top-100 wins.
Next: Top 15 Michigan quarterbacks of all time
With that much on the line, Michigan basketball should find a way to come through, although it won’t be as easy as the head-to-head numbers might make you believe.