Michigan Basketball: 3 Predictions for Wolverines against Indiana

Caleb Houstan builds on his confidence

One of the biggest issues Michigan basketball has had this season has been the 3-point struggles of five-star freshman Caleb Houstan.

Houstan was supposed to be a plug-and-play guy except his outside shot hasn’t been what was expected. Some of it is definitely adjusting to the college game and remember, he was supposed to be a high school senior this season but reclassified.

But Houstan seemed to find something against Maryland. He looked confident and made 3-of-4 shots from beyond the arc. Prior to that, Houstan had made just 1-of-17 from 3-point range.

Shooting is all about confidence though and hopefully, Houstan found his stroke. While he has struggled, he’s proven he can shoot at this level. In six of his first nine games, he made multiple 3-pointers and that’s the kind of effort the Wolverines need down the stretch.

Houstan just needs to be in the 35-percent range. He also can’t hesitate. The Wolverines desperately need him as a floor spacer and when teams have to respect that shot, it opens up him driving to the bucket and he showed against the Terps he can do more than shoot.

I thought it was Houstan’s best game of the season, considering the circumstances and I think he’ll follow it up with a pair of 3-point makes vs IU and another double-digit effort.

Prediction

I’m going out on a limb here but I have a good feeling about Michigan basketball going into this matchup. Hunter Dickinson was inspired against Maryland (he always is) but if that energy translates to Sunday and the rest of the season, this team has a fighting chance.

And I think they pull the upset in Assembly Hall on Sunday.

Final score: Michigan 73, Indiana 66