Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for Wolverines vs Iowa

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 03: Head Basketball Coach Juwan Howard draws up a play for (l-r) Franz Wagner #21, Eli Brooks #55, Mike Smith #12, Chaundee Brown Jr. #15, and Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of a college basketball game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Crisler Arena on January 3, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

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Iowa’s defense will struggle

Iowa might have the best scoring offense in the Big Ten, but the Hawkeyes also allow the ninth-most points in the Big Ten, and part of the reason for that is poor 3-point defense.

The Hawkeyes make 10 3-pointers a game, yet they surrender an average of 10 3-point makes per game on defense, although it takes opponents an average of 28 shots.

Iowa’s field-goal percentage defense is second in the Big Ten but that’s in part because of a strong 2-point defense, which the Wolverines should challenge. Guarding Dickinson is one thing, but the Hawkeyes have to deal with Franz Wagner, Isaiah Livers, Mike Smith and others.

It will be interesting to see if Garza defends Dickinson one-on-one too and if Hunter can find a way to score inside against the big man.

Dickinson’s defense and rebounding will be more important, although I’d expect a double-double or something close to that. But this feels like a night for Wagner and Livers to shine.

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