Michigan Basketball could get another quality win at Tip-off tournament
Fresh off beating Villanova, Michigan basketball will face George Washington Saturday and if UM wins, then it plays Providence or South Carolina Sunday.
Michigan basketball fans are still basking in the glow of the Wolverines impressive win over Villanova Wednesday. However, the Wolverines are going to be back on the floor this weekend for the Hall-of-Fame Tip-off tournament.
The tournament is being hosted in Connecticut and features George Washington, South Carolina and Providence. Michigan basketball will open up with George Washington Saturday. If the Wolverines win that game, they will meet South Carolina or Providence Sunday in the championship game (1:30 PM EST ESPN2)
Playing in the tournament is good for a couple of reasons. One, it gets Michigan basketball in the Northeast, which can be good for recruiting. Also, if Michigan can knock off George Washington, it will have the chance to add another solid win to its resume against South Carolina or Providence.
George Washington, which comes in at 0-3, sits 212 in the Kenpom rankings. That means they are well below Michigan basketball, which sits 11th. Even though the Colonials are from the A-10, a respectable conference, the Wolverines should win easily.
Michigan Wolverines
Through three games, Michigan basketball has played suffocating defense. The Wolverines are allowing just 42.3 points a game and are limiting teams to just 31-percent shooting, which is sixth in the nation. The scoring defense ranks third.
Charles Matthews and Ignas Brazdeikis are both leading Michigan with 16.3 PPG. Isaiah Livers has also been a strong contributor off the bench with an average of eight points and a team-high 6.7 rebounds. Jon Teske has also been solid, scoring six points, grabbing five boards and blocking 3.3 shots per game.
Zavier Simpson will also look to build on his performance against Villanova. He scored nine points, had six assists, five steals and just two turnovers. He and Jordan Poole are still finding their way offensively.
The Wolverines will take on George Washington Saturday at 12 EST (Watch ESPN or ESPN3) and then if they win, UM will face either South Carolina or Providence Sunday in the championship game. Both teams are ranked in Kenpom’s top 63, with Providence 63rd and South Carolina 56th.
Either way, as long as Michigan basketball can take care of business Saturday morning, the Wolverines will have a chance to score another solid win away from home, which would be the second of the week.
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