Michigan Basketball: Preview, prediction and how to watch vs Maryland

Michigan basketball faces a must-win game on Tuesday night at home against Maryland and here’s a look at the matchup, as well as how to watch and a prediction. 

As far as Michigan basketball is concerned, Tuesday’s game against Maryland is a must-win. The Wolverines are 7-7 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten.

There are 16 Big Ten games remaining, so there is time to turn things around for Michigan basketball but the Wolverines are going to have to win 9 or 10 of those 16 games to make the NCAA Tournament.

In the Big Ten, Michigan basketball has lost three in a row. Of course, COVID-19 hasn’t helped. Michigan was down to seven scholarship players on the road against Rutgers and was also without Hunter Dickinson against Illinois last week.

It’s unclear whether or not Dickinson or Brandon Johns will return on Tuesday against Maryland as assistant coach Phil Martelli told reporters on Monday.

Yet, even if the Wolverines don’t have their best player, they need to find a way to beat Maryland, a team that’s 1-5 in the Big Ten and fired its head coach.

Maryland does have familiar names on its roster such as Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell who combine to average nearly 30 points as the Terps starting backcourt.

Like Michigan, Maryland ranks in the bottom third of college basketball in 3-point shooting. Both teams have also struggled with 2-point defense. Maryland is allowing opponents to make 50.2 percent of 2-point attempts in Big Ten play and is 265th on the season.

Obviously, the would bode well if Dickinson is back. Even if he isn’t, Moussa Diabate should be able to take advantage down low. The defense also needs to be better.

As Dylan Burkhardt of UMHoops notes, Michigan is giving up a lot more points this year on assisted buckets. It’s off-the-catch jumpers and things that Michigan just didn’t allow much last season.

I think it comes down to a couple of simple things. For one, this year’s team doesn’t have the one-on-one defenders that it did last year and two, there’s an abundance of mental mistakes.

The reason Michigan’s defense worked so well is it had guys who could defend in one-on-one situations — Franz Wagner, Eli Brooks, Chaundee Brown, etc. Brooks is the only guy now and he has the defend the other team’s best guard every night.

DeVante Jones isn’t a great one-on-one or ball screen defender. Caleb Houstan is a horrible defender. While his offense has been bad, the drop-off on defense from Wagner to him has been even more drastic.

And to make matters worse, the rotations and communication have been an issue all season too. You expect that with a young team but you also expect that to improve.

The Wolverines at least showed a little heart against Illinois and they need an inspired effort tonight against Maryland.

Prediction for Michigan basketball vs Maryland

Maryland is reeling and Michigan is desperate for a win. If the Wolverines drop this game, their NCAA Tournament hopes are probably sealed unless they put together a winning streak.

Maryland is a disaster right now and while we don’t know who will be playing for Michigan basketball on Tuesday night, the Wolverines should have enough talent to win this game. But they have had talent all year. They haven’t played good basketball and that needs to change tonight.

If Dickinson is back, Michigan will definitely win this game. If not, it feels like more of a toss-up but I’m still betting on a bounce-back performance from the Wolverines and a win.

Prediction: Michigan 73, Maryland 65.

What channel is the Michigan basketball game on?

Michigan basketball will play Maryland on ESPN2 at 7 PM EST/4 PM PST

Michigan basketball vs Maryland Live Stream

Today’s Michigan basketball game can be streamed on Fubo TV.