Michigan Basketball: Previewing must-win match-ups for Wolverines
Home must be hostile
The Wolverines let one past them in 2018-19 at Crisler Center to the Spartans. It was an expected loss as Michigan State dominated the Big Ten, eventually claiming the conference regular season and tournament championships. But for Michigan to get to around 25 wins, home games must be hostile to anyone who steps into The House that Cazzie Built.
Michigan held Presbyterian to 44 points, the lowest total allowed by Michigan this season as the Blue Hose shot just 28 percent from the floor. #GoBlue 〽️🏀 pic.twitter.com/1gtQ7kjpcs
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) December 21, 2019
They’ve already reached their quota of defeats at home with the overtime loss to Oregon, which means winning out with home court-advantage is essential for another – highly unlikely – 30 wins, and they can only drop a few should this hoops squad desire any win total above 20.
Specifically, on Jan. 22nd, No. 23 Penn State will arrive in Ann Arbor for the first meeting of the two teams. Led by Senior Lamar Stevens, the Nittany Lions have shown they belong by discarding No. 4 Maryland 76-69 earlier this month.
Then, in February, No. 5 Ohio State will travel north with their monster forward Kaleb Wesson. Kaleb is averaging 13.9 points and nine rebounds. Immediately following the Buckeye’s is Michigan State, which arrives four days later, for the second showdown between top conference guards Cassius Winston and Zavier Simpson.
The key here is to win all or most of the games mentioned above for the Wolverines to have a shot in March/April.