Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for Wolverines vs Ohio State

Detroit Free Press
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One of the best rivalries in college sports will take to the basketball floor Sunday as Michigan basketball heads to Ohio State for a top-five showdown.

The Wolverines comes in as the No. 3 team in the AP Poll, while Ohio State is No. 4. Both teams are projected as No. 1 seeds right now in the NCAA tournament and each team still has hopes of winning the Big Ten title although Michigan is in the lead.

Michigan basketball is 10-1 in the Big Ten; Ohio State is 12-4 and if the Wolverines win in Columbus, Ohio State’s hope of winning the league would be essentially out the window.

However, beating Ohio State is one thing Juwan Howard has yet to do. Michigan lost both games to the Buckeyes last season. Winning on the road against the No. 4 team in the country is the greatest test for this team so far this season and here are three predictions.

Hunter Dickinson gets back on track

Although Hunter Dickinson has struggled a little bit in recent weeks, averaging just over nine points in his last five outings, Ohio State doesn’t defend the rim very well and is 227th overall in that area allowing opponents to make 61 percent.

Michigan is the third-best team in the Big Ten conference in 2-point percentage and whether it’s Dickinson, Austin Davis or Franz Wagner, the Wolverines should be able to take advantage of Ohio State’s defense on the inside and it feels like a Dickinson is due for a big game.