Michigan Basketball vs Maryland: Preview, predictions, and 3 keys
By Max S.
3 Keys for a Michigan win
Mix up the defenses
In the first matchup between these two teams, both teams mixed up their defenses very well. Michigan went to a zone to try to neutralize the stretch big men for Maryland, and Maryland went to a zone to try to slow down Hunter Dickinson.
I don’t have much of a concern for Michigan’s offense going up against a Maryland zone, but I think Michigan will have to once again go to a zone to slow this Maryland offense down a bit and to keep Dickinson in the paint as a rim protector.
Michigan’s defense really struggled in the first matchup until it went to a zone and that ended up being the difference in the game. I would expect to see that once again tonight.
Get Livers going early
I feel like we are due for Isaiah Livers to have a monster shooting night to really get himself going. It feels like Livers has struggled at times this year shooting, but then you realize he’s still over 40% from deep this season.
Maryland does a good job mixing up their defense and I think this is going to be a game that Livers will have a good chance to get some open looks from deep. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Livers knock down 4-5 threes in this one.
Give Dickinson a longer leash
I thought Juwan Howard seriously misused Hunter Dickinson in their last game against Minnesota. It was not his day, but I thought his leash was too short. There’s enough upside with him on the floor that even when he’s having a rough game, you have to let him work through it.
Austin Davis should not be getting double digit minutes in my opinion. He’s a fine backup center but even on an off night, Dickinson will give you more on defense and on the glass. Freshmen will struggle sometimes, and I think Juwan was too quick to pull Dickinson at times against Minnesota.
Maryland has some stretch big men that could be a tough matchup for Dickinson, but he’s the most talented center on this team and Michigan basketball has to roll with him through the ups and the rare downs.