Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for the Wolverines against Illinois

Michigan’s 3-point shooting will give it an edge

Illinois is a really talented offensive team, however, with the way that the Wolverines have defended this season and the way they can match up man-to-man, the Illini will have to hit some jumpers to win this game.

And when it comes to 3-point shooting, Michigan basketball has a big edge. Not only are the Wolverines one of the best perimeter teams in the country, but they are also second-best in the Big Ten at 39.9 percent.

Isaiah Livers and Eli Brooks are each making more than two treys per game and both shooting a ridiculous percentage. Livers is at 49 percent; Brooks is right there at 48. Zavier Simpson is also making 1.1 per game and is shooting 43 percent from beyond the line.

That’s been a huge improvement. David Dejulius is also above 40 percent and when Franz Wagner, who is at 28 percent, gets going, the 3-point shooting will be deadly. Teske will need to step up and knock down 1-2 and as a team, somewhere around 10 feels like a winning number.

Illinois also ranks 227th in 3-point defense as well as 197th in 3-point percentage compared to Michigan, which is 20th in 3-point offense and 40th in 3-point defense. That’s a significant difference and if it plays out that way, it will be the difference in the game.