Michigan Basketball: 3 keys for the Wolverines to beat LSU

By Adam Childs | Mar 21, 2021

Mar 20, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Austin Davis (51) reacts as he celebrates with teammates after defeating the Texas Southern Tigers in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Bickel-USA TODAY Sports /

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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Rebound well

LSU is one of the best offensive teams in the country. According to KenPom they are 5th in adjusted offensive efficiency. Michigan isn’t far behind at seventh.

They can fill it up and while Michigan isn’t going to completely stop them, they need to limit their chances, and rebounding well will be a key. The Wolverines cannot afford to let the Tigers get second-chance opportunities. The more they allow the Tigers to have the ball and get those chances, the worse their chances are of winning the game.

LSU rebounds well as they have two guys, Trendon Watford and Darius Days, averaging over seven rebounds per game. The Tigers average almost 12 offensive rebounds per game and rely on those second-chance opportunities.

St. Bonaventure showed that you can slow the Tigers down with good defense but you have to be able to rebound. If Michigan can limit them to one shot per possession the Wolverines will be in great shape to win this game, but allow LSU to get second and third chances and they will be in trouble.

If Michigan wins the rebounding battle it will win this game.

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