Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for Wolverines at Maryland

Who wins?

As I said in the opening, I expect this to be a grind and Maryland will deliberately try to slow the pace. Michigan will want to play faster and when the offense can get out in transition, that’s been some of its most effective stretches.

Wagner was better in the half court against Nebraska, but his ability to attack and shoot in transition is really one of his strengths. Of course, getting stops is key to being able to run but Maryland isn’t a great offensive rebounding team.

Still, I expect most of the opportunities to come in the the half court and guys are simply going to have make shots against this Maryland defense. Livers and Wagner should get some good looks and this could play out similar to Nebraska in that Dickinson may not attempt a ton of shots.

His passing ability is a major weapon though, even if he doesn’t get the assist. But in order for the Wolverines to win this game, guys like Livers, Wagner, Chaundee Brown and Eli Brooks need to connect when they get those chances.

As a team, U-M shoots 35 percent from deep, but individually, Livers and Brown are both over 40 percent, while Brooks and Smith are each at 33 percent or above. I’d imagine Brandon Johns will get some looks if he plays extended minutes at the four or five and as simple as it sounds, this game is probably going to come down to 3-point shooting.

Michigan is going to get good looks, really as it has all year and as long as it can avoid a cold-shooting night, it should have a good chance to escape with a win.

Final score: Michigan 69, Maryland 66