Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for Wolverines against Indiana

Michigan gets to 15-0 but in a close game

The previous three times Michigan has played a ranked opponent this season, the Wolverines have won in blowout fashion. Michigan dominated Villanova, North Carolina and Purdue and that might lead you to believe UM will do the same to Indiana.

Michigan Wolverines

It’s certainly possible. This team has been off a little the past few weeks and even though the Wolverines have been winning, they haven’t played their best basketball. Yet, the defense, minus a few stretches, has been suffocating and the offense has been good enough in stretches to win.

Against the Hoosiers, Michigan will need more of a complete effort. Matthews and Ignas Brazdeikis will need to be huge on both ends and Jordan Poole is going to have to knock down some shots. Also, if Livers can’t go, someone will need to step up. He’s a critical piece on both ends of the floor and one of Michigan’s better 3-point shooters.

If Livers can’t go, it puts more pressure on Iggy, Matthews, Eli Brooks and Zavier Simpson to knock down some perimeter shots. Indiana is a good defensive team, but the Hoosiers go through poor stretches of play on both ends. They have an issue with turnovers and settle for too many outside shots at times.

If Michigan can force outside shots by protecting the paint it should be able to hold Indiana to a modest percentage. The Wolverines should also win the turnover battle, which will lead to some easy buckets and some open looks from deep. Ultimately, that will be enough for Michigan basketball to improve to 4-0 in the Big Ten. But it won’t be easy.

Final score: Michigan 68, Indiana 63