Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for Wolverines against Iowa

Michigan will win, but it won’t be easy

While I didn’t necessarily see Michigan basketball blowing out Indiana last week either, it’s hard for me to see the Wolverines doing the same thing Friday night in Iowa City.

For the Hawkeyes, this is a huge game. As I said, they have some good wins, especially with a win over Oregon on a neutral floor in non-conference play, but a win over fifth-ranked Michigan, a team that’s 20-1 and 9-1 in the Big Ten, would look tremendous on their resume.

Michigan Wolverines

When Iowa played Michigan State at home, the Hawkeyes had the lead before they let it slip away in the second half and it will be interesting to see if they can put themselves in a similar position against Michigan.

The key battle of the game may just be the Wolverines interior defenders such as Teske, Brazdeikis and Isaiah Livers, as well as maybe even Brandon Johns, against Cook and Garza. Neither Iowa big really shoots much from deep, but both shoot better than 54 percent from the field.

With Teske and the rest inside, Michigan really shouldn’t have to double and if it can avoid that, it will be a huge help for the 3-point defense, which will have its hands full against Iowa, a team that has four players who average at least one 3-point field goal per game.

Joe Wieskamp, Isaiah Moss and Jordan Bohannon average 5.6 3-point field goals per game and holding them at or below that average will be key and if the Wolverines can limit having to double team down low, it should help prevent open looks. Not allowing the pace to get out of control and limiting transition points, both inside and out, will also be vital.

Ultimately, if Michigan defends, takes care of the ball and has a solid shooting night against a porous defense, it should win. But in Iowa City, things never seem to come easy.

Final score: Michigan 67, Iowa 63.