3 Predictions for Michigan Basketball against Central Florida

Who wins?

The Wolverines were much sharper in their win against Ball State but UCF will provide a different challenge. The Cardinal were probably a better basketball team, but the Knights are more talented and can physically match-up better than any team yet on Michigan’s schedule.

It seems like a good time to work on narrowing down the rotation with conference play just days away and it will be interesting to see if Dickinson is the starting center.

At this point, there really is no logical debate for him not starting. Austin Davis is a decent player. He can score in the paint and he’s not a bad rebounder, but Dickinson is a better overall athlete and at this point, a better player.

I’d be surprised if he didn’t start but I have been surprised up to this point too. One thing that hasn’t been surprising is the stellar play of Isaiah Livers and that will continue.

A lot of people, myself included, expected Franz Wagner to be Michigan’s Big Ten Player of the Year candidate but after a few games, Livers is making a strong case.

This game will be a good test for Michigan on both ends of the floor. We’ll see how it does defending some quicker players and also how it will hold up to some defensive pressure.

I do expect this game to be more of a grind, but the Wolverines will break it open with their 3-point shooting, which is the biggest difference between the two teams.

Final score: Michigan 81, UCF 67