Michigan Basketball vs Rutgers: Odds, how to watch and 3 predictions

Simpson will shine on the big stage

Zavier Simpson and Michigan basketball should have some good memories of playing in the Garden since the team didn’t win the Big Ten Tournament championship there.

Simpson was great that week and while that team is much different, Simpson will have to be great again for the Wolverines to knock off Rutgers and I think he will be.

Who knows what happened with the whole suspension thing, but it obviously wasn’t a huge violation of rules. Whatever it was, maybe it will be a good thing for Zavier, who at times, hasn’t played up to his standards.

Part of that hasn’t been his fault. He has been forced to shoot the ball more than usual and his teammates need to help him out. Jon Teske should have a chance to get things going inside and others like Eli Brooks, Brandon Johns and Franz Wagner need to build on their performances against Nebraska.

If Michigan is going to win, it needs a classic Simpson game, something like 12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. I believe U-M gets it and a stellar effort defensively.