Michigan Basketball: Wolverines defense will be tested by Purdue

Michigan basketball takes on Purdue Saturday in the start of Big Ten play. Here is what you need to know including how to watch.

After a blowout win over North Carolina, Michigan basketball is the talk of the college basketball world. Yet, none of that will matter Saturday, when Purdue invades Crisler Arena for the start of Big Ten play.

When it comes to the Big Ten Conference, there are a number of contenders. But as of right now, two of the strongest look to be Michigan basketball and Purdue. The Wolverines are 7-0, while the Boilermakers are 5-2, however, each of Purdue’s losses was close and both came against ranked teams in Florida State and Virginia Tech.

Now, both teams will take a break from their non-conference schedules to play a pair of Big Ten games. The first is today and then each will follow it up with a game this week. The Wolverines will play Northwestern next before starting the rest of Big Ten play in January.

Before we break down this matchup any further, here is the basic game info, including tip-off time, how to watch and stream.

Game Info

Game 8: Michigan vs Purdue

When: 3:30 PM EST

Where: Crisler Arena

TV: ESPN

Streaming: ESPN App or ESPN 3

Radio: WWJ (950 AM) in Detroit

Breakdown

This isn’t the same Purdue team it has been in the past. Yet, the Boilermakers still want to shoot a lot of 3-pointers and when it comes to that, they do it as well as any team in the country. Currently, they are ninth in the NCAA in made 3-point field goals. Michigan is well outside the top 150 in the same category.

Purdue wants to play up-tempo, while Michigan wants to play at a slower pace, set up its defense and just strangle teams with its defensive prowess. The Wolverines lead the country in fewest points allowed and according to Kenpom, they also have the top unit in terms of defensive efficiency.

However, Purdue has a very good offense too. In fact, Purdue ranks sixth according to Kenpom in terms of offensive efficiency and through seven games, Purdue has yet to score fewer than 70 points. Michigan, on the other hand, hasn’t allowed a team to score 70. The 67 points scored by North Carolina Wednesday was the most Michigan has allowed all season long.

While North Carolina was a more talented overall team than Purdue, Carsen Edwards, who is leading the Boilermakers with over 25 PPG, might be the biggest individual challenge the Wolverines have faced all season long.

Edwards attempts 10 3-pointers per game for Purdue and makes around four per game. As a team, Purdue is hitting around 12 triples per game, a number Michigan basketball will have to work hard to try and keep under 10.

Zavier Simpson should be matched up with Edwards and his ability to guard on the ball should be a big help. If the Wolverines can limit Edwards, they should be able to limit the Purdue offense enough to win. However, it will be yet another challenge for what many believe is the best defensive team in college basketball.