Michigan Basketball: Staff predictions for Wolverines vs Badgers

The 9th ranked Wisconsin Badgers come to Ann Arbor tonight to face a red hot Michigan basketball team looking to stay unbeaten.

This will be the toughest test for Michigan basketball so far this season. Wisconsin is by far the best and most experienced team that the Wolverines have faced and this is setting up to be a thrilling game tonight.

Here are the GBMWolverine staff predictions for tonight’s top-ten showdown.

Wolverine Corner: Michigan wins 73-68

This was a tough prediction for me. As I wrote in my three predictions for this matchup article yesterday, I do believe that Wisconsin is the worst matchup for Michigan out of anyone in the Big Ten.

Their stretch big men and physical guards could both give Michigan basketball fits in this game. The difference for Michigan though should be on the wing where the Wolverines have a significant advantage with Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers.

I think Michigan’s wings will play well enough, and Dickinson will dominate inside and I see Michigan winning a very close one. Michigan is playing better basketball right now and this is the perfect game for the Wolverines to show the college basketball world that they are for real this season.

Jared Dettmer: Michigan wins 74-68

Wisconsin’s skilled perimeter big men will provide Hunter Dickinson and Michigan basketball their toughest challenge yet defensively. Having said that, I’m not sure the Badgers have the interior bodies to keep Dickinson down for 40 minutes. Michigan takes a back and forth battle 74-68.

Adam Childs: Michigan wins 84-77

About a month ago, Michigan’s defense looked to be a question mark, especially against the three point shot. Those doubts have seemed to have faded the past couple of games as the defensive intensity has ramped up and that is good news heading into the Wisconsin game.

If the Wolverines can shut down their outside game they will win this game and they could win it big. Oh, and they have this guy named Hunter Dickinson inside also. Michigan is playing better than anybody not named Gonzaga this year and I don’t think they slow down tonight.

Ryan Kraus: Michigan wins 72-67

The Wolverines have gotten off to an impressive start, thanks in large part to the play of freshman sensation, Hunter Dickinson. They face a big test against a veteran Wisconsin team. Will they be the first team to contain Dickinson? I don’t think so. Michigan wins a close one.

Chris Peterson: Michigan wins 74-70

Hunter Dickinson will be one of the keys for Michigan but far from the only one. The Wolverines need to continue their dominance in the paint and also limit the 3-point shooting of the Badgers. Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers will be huge and if they shoot the ball, which I think they will, the Wolverines will win.