Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for Wolverines in Ohio State rematch
Who wins?
Both teams come into this game 9-8 and as I said, each team is solidly in the NCAA tournament. Now, it’s just a matter of bragging rights and getting better seeding for the Big Ten tournament.
In the Kenpom rankings, Ohio State is No. 9 followed by Michigan basketball at 11. It’s about as even as you can get, but the Wolverines should have that extra edge of a loss and wanting payback for the loss to the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor earlier this season.
If Brooks ends up back in the lineup, the defense will get back to the level it was at prior to his one-game absence. In the nine games before the loss to Wisconsin, no team had scored 70 points against the Wolverines and that was a huge part of winning seven of eight games.
Brooks is essential to the defensive effort and he plays a bigger role on offense than people realize. It won’t be easy either way, but with Brooks, Michigan wins, just barely. Without him, the Buckeyes find a way.
Next. What we learned against Wisconsin. dark
Final score: Michigan 64, Ohio State 62