Michigan Basketball: 3 Ways to defeat MSU without Isaiah Livers

Win the turnover battle

Michigan basketball is under an intense adjustment period, going from a slower possession game to a faster offensive that closely mimics what the NBA is doing. With adjustment comes growing pains, and those pains showed most notably on the court with Iowa State. Simpson led the team in a category that no one wants to claim: turnovers.

Twenty-two balls were coughed up in total, handicapping the offense that still ended with an incredible 83 points despite the circumstances.

Michigan cannot have one of those days.

Three times the Wolverines have escaped with less than double-digit turnovers, and that’s precisely what they need in order to take down the mighty Spartans tomorrow.

Matt’s musings and prediction

Outside of the three-pointers, lock-down defense, and not giving up the ball, Teske is going to have to establish himself early and often in the paint, especially when there’s an offensive drought. The Wolverines won’t be able to shut down the Spartan offense for long, and without Isaiah’s accuracy from three, it will be nearly impossible to come back from large deficits.

The biggest key will be finding the hot hand and letting that guy work until the buzzer sounds and don’t let whomever it is a breather, let him breathe at halftime, and on the bus home. Whether it’s Brooks, Wagner, or DeJulius from the bench, there must be at least one man outside of Teske that accounts for 15-20 points for UM to have a chance.

Prediction: Isaiah’s absence will be too much to overcome, and the Spartans will pull away in the second half with significant contributions from Winston and bench points from Rocket Watts. Spartans win at home 86-79.