3 Predictions for Michigan Basketball vs Michigan State

No magic fix for defense

Of all the issues plaguing Michigan basketball, it was the worst time this week for players and coaches to be missing practice due to COVID-19.

Obviously, health and safety is the top priority. But many of Michigan’s issues don’t have a magic solution. Some of it is lack of communication but there is inexperience at work. Practice is a way some of those things can get hammered out.

A lot of Michigan’s issues — overhelping, guarding the wrong guy in transition, being out of position on defense — can be addressed in practice. This is why freshmen aren’t always ready.

Basketball is a mental game too. That’s why Eli Brooks said, “This isn’t high school anymore.” In high school, giving up a semi-uncontested 3-pointer won’t kill you all the time, especially depending on who is left open.

But in college, those simple mistakes lead to points for the opposition. Some of it can get fixed over time yet, it’s clear that Diabate isn’t the defender we thought he would be, while Houston and even DeVante Jones have downright struggled.

Jones will get steals. He also gambles too much and fouls too often. Gambling can pay off in the way of a steal, but it can also mean a missed rotation and an open look.

Izzo and the Spartans will take advantage of that and they will test the Wolverines’ weakness with all of their sets. The fact that Michigan was short on practice this week doesn’t help and in the end, Michigan State’s superior execution will be the difference in a close game.

It also doesn’t hurt that six Spartans average nearly a 3-point field goal per game while shooting at least 33 percent. Gabe Brown shoots 39 percent on six shots per game from deep.

Malik Hall and Joey Hauser are shooting 55 and 34 percent respectively and with all those shooters, MSU will take advantage if Michigan makes mistakes, which it has and can be expected to until the Wolverines prove otherwise.

Prediction: Michigan State 77, Michigan 70