Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for Wolverines against Texas Tech

Michigan basketball is back in action Thursday in the NCAA tournament taking on Texas Tech in the Sweet 16 and here are three predictions.

After taking a break for a few days, the NCAA tournament starts up again tonight and for Michigan basketball, that means a matchup against third-seeded Texas Tech in Anaheim.

Last season, Michigan was able to win the West Region, beating Texas A&M and then Florida State to advance to the Final Four. This time around, there is going to be even more of a challenge.

Top-seeded Gonzaga will take on fourth-seeded Florida State before Michigan basketball takes the floor and as you can see, the top four seeds have all advanced. The Seminoles won’t make anything easy on the Zags, just like they didn’t make it easy on the Wolverines in last season’s Elite 8.

Whichever team wins that game will face either Michigan or Texas Tech, two defensive juggernauts that won their first two games of the NCAA tournament by double figures. In defensive efficiency, Kenpom ranks Texas Tech No. 1 and Michigan No. 2.

Defense is going to be a factor but finding some offense will also be important. Maybe the biggest thing for both teams is taking care of the ball. If the Wolverines can do that against Tech, a team that forced turnovers on 23 percent of its possessions, it would go a long way towards victory.

Slowing down Jarrett Culver, the Red Raiders big-time scorer will also be key. With a look at what happens and more analysis, here are three predictions.