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Michigan Basketball vs Minnesota: Preview, 3 keys and predictions

By Max S.

Minnesota guard Marcus Carr steals the ball from Michigan forward Isaiah Livers during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
Minnesota guard Marcus Carr steals the ball from Michigan forward Isaiah Livers during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 06: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a dunk against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Crisler Arena on January 06, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 06: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after a dunk against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Crisler Arena on January 06, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

3 keys to a Michigan win

1. Win the center matchup (again)

When these two teams met 10 days ago in Michigan, one of the biggest story lines was the matchup between these two elite centers. Liam Robbins was off to a blistering start to the season and was known as one of the better defensive centers so far in Big Ten play. It was Hunter Dickinson’s “first big test.”

Well, Dickinson passed that test with flying colors as he scored a career high 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Robbins was held to just five points and four rebounds on 2-9 shooting.

Dickinson clearly won the first matchup between these two heavy weight centers but that doesn’t mean it’ll happen again. I’d expect Pitino to change it up and guard Dickinson differently this game. He may send more double teams or mix in more zone defense. Either way, whoever wins the matchup between centers will have a huge advantage to winning this game.

2. Run Marcus Carr off the 3-point line

Marcus Carr is one of the best point guards in the country but he really struggled in the last matchup against Michigan. Eli Brooks, Chaundee Brown, and Mike Smith all did a great job against him.

Carr has struggled this season when he is forced to finish in the paint and Michigan has one of the best two point and rim protection defenses in the country. Carr can really hurt you when he’s knocking down threes which opens up the rest of his game.

If Michigan basketball can take away the three and force him to drive, Dickinson, Franz, and Livers have all played great two point defense this year and should have the advantage there.

3. Feed Franz and Livers

When you compare these two teams, it’s very clear where Michigan basketball has the advantage. That is on the wing with Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner. Minnesota can matchup with the guards and big men from Michigan, but they don’t have the wing talent or depth.

In the first matchup, Livers scored 14 and Franz scored 12, but both players were efficient and didn’t force any bad shots. If Dickinson wasn’t so dominant, I think Michigan basketball could have exploited the wing matchup even more so than they did.

I would expect Livers and Franz to both come out aggressive and looking for their shot early.

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