Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for Wolverines against Wisconsin
Teske’s defense will have a huge impact on Happ
One of the biggest factors in the game for both teams is going to be the matchup inside between Happ and Michigan big man Jon Teske.
Happ is very skilled at scoring inside as evidenced by his shooting percentage (57 percent). But he is also great at passing out of the post, which is why he has over four assists. As a team, Wisconsin doesn’t shoot a lot of 3-pointers (255th NCAA) but when it does, the Badgers tend to make them (18th 3-point percentage) at a 39.1 percent clip.
ICYMI: No. 2 @umichbball clinched its first 17-0 start in program history with a 20-point win vs. Northwestern tonight.
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A big part of that is the open looks generated by Happ and that’s where Michigan should have an edge. At 7-foot-2, Teske is a different animal than most of the guys who guard Happ. He is quick enough to guard him 1-on-1 and when Happ is playing with his back to the basket, Teske will be a tough target to shoot over. He also blocks more than two shots per game.
Teske and Zavier Simpson are the two biggest reasons why Michigan has such a dominating defense with the Wolverines ranking third in points allowed (56.6) and third in defensive efficiency according to Kenpom.
In this game though, Teske will be a huge factor as his size and length will fluster Happ, who scored 29 points in a loss against Michigan basketball a season ago. That effort kept the Badgers close and if he plays like that Saturday, Wisconsin should win. However, Teske only played nine minutes in that game, so things should be different this time around.