Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for UM and the NCAA Tournament

Houston or San Diego State will be tough

If Michigan basketball is able to get past Montana, getting to the Sweet 16 won’t be any easier. Both Houston and San Diego State, whoever gets past that opening game, will be tough.

Both Houston and San Diego State are like Michigan, coming into the tournament hot. The Cougars made it all the way into the American Conference title game and lost to second-seeded Cincinnati by just one point. San Diego State, on the other hand, wasn’t even going to be in March Madness until it won the Mountain West Conference title.

Robert Gray Jr. is the headline guy for Houston and is averaging 18.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He’s a playmaker and a guy that the Wolverines defense would need to find a way to corral. The Cougars have a top-100 offense and the 21st ranked defense.

San Diego State has five players that average in double figures. The Azetcs also have top-100 rankings on both offense and defense. However, Michigan basketball has played very good teams before. And while both Houston and San Diego State could pose problems, the prediction here is that Wagner, Robinson, Rahkman and Simpson find a way to keep this run going past the first weekend.