Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for Wolverines against Indiana

Defense stays stingy

After having arguably the worst defense in the Big Ten during most of Livers’ absence, Michigan has turned things around and while it may still rank 12th in points allowed in the Big Ten conference, the defense has been as good as it was early in the year recently.

Following a five-game stretch that saw the Wolverines allow 72 points or more in each game, the defense started to turn things around against Nebraska and in the six games since the loss to Penn State, Michigan has held each opponent to 64 or less.

That’s getting it done and considering Michigan boasts the third-best scoring offense in the Big Ten, it’s perfect complimentary basketball.

It seems the better Michigan defends, the better it plays offense. Part of that is getting stops and defensive rebounds can help jumpstart the fast break, which is where Michigan excels, not only attacking the basket but finding 3-point shooters.

Another thing that helps create easy buckets is turnovers and Indiana ranks 13th in the league as far as taking care of the ball, which is something U-M will use to its advantage.