Michigan Basketball: 5 predictions for Wolverines against North Carolina

Matthews will turn in a stellar performance

Charles Matthews has been Michigan basketball’s best player so far this season, however, his offensive performance has been a little inconsistent.

In the first four games of the season, Matthews averaged 18.4 PPG and in a three-game stretch against Holy Cross, Villanova and George Washington, he averaged over 21 a game. In the last two games though, he has scored just 13 points.

Against North Carolina though, Matthews will bounce back. For one, he seems to play his best when the lights are brightest. Look at how he performed in the tournament last season and against Villanova. He was 7-of-13 in the win over the Wildcats, with four rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

Also, North Carolina isn’t a great defensive team. Don’t get me wrong, they are solid but because of their pace of play, the Tar Heels do give up points. Michigan has allowed only one team to score 60 points or more, while North Carolina has allowed six of its seven opponents to score at least 60 and four have reached 70.

Matthews is shooting just 19 percent from 3-point range, so he will have to get to the bucket, but his physical, post-up game should do wonders and I expect at least one or two slam dunks.