Michigan Basketball: 3 Bold predictions for Wolverines against Minnesota

3. Eli Brooks slows down Marcus Carr

Minnesota star point guard Marcus Carr has been one of the best point guards in the country this season. If you have yet to see him play over the last couple of seasons, you are missing out. He’s a special player that would start on any team in the Big Ten.

Carr is averaging 22.1 PPG this season and has scored 20+ points in a game six times. He also has three games scoring 30 or more points. He can absolutely fill it up against anyone.

What makes Carr so tough is not only is he one of the quickest guards in the country that can blow by his defender at any time, he’s also an efficient three point shooter at 38%.

Michigan’s defense has made giant strides over the past few weeks and a lot of that has to do with the improved perimeter defense by Brooks and Smith. Brooks was one of Michigan’s best defenders a season ago but started off this season slow on that end of the floor. He has really picked it up as of late.

Brooks will be tasked with trying to slow down Marcus Carr and he should be ready for the challenge. We have seen Brooks thrive in this spot in the past, most notably in the second matchup against Michigan State a season ago when we helped shut down Cassius Winston.

Carr has also not played his best basketball as of late. Over his last two games, he’s averaging 12.5 PPG on 6-of-25 shooting from the floor. Combine that with Brooks playing his best defense of the season, I think Brooks should slow him down.

If Brooks is able to do his part and limit the production of Marcus Carr, expect Michigan basketball to come away with a win.