Michigan Basketball: 3 things to watch for Wolverines vs Purdue

Michigan slugged out a hard-fought win against conference foe Penn State in a 58-57 game. The Wolverines improve to 12-9 and look to face Purdue on February 10th, who is coming off a mammoth double-digit over against Illinois.

Well, Penn State, unfortunately, proved to be a struggle for the Wolverines who really should not have struggled. We learned a lot from that game about the Wolverines in my opinion, such as how Hunter Dickinson is the whole offense, as well as Devante Jones, is slowly improving.

The Wolverines do face a tough foe in Purdue, a team who they actually almost beat on the road not too long ago, with the game being at Crisler can the Wolverines pull this one out? Let’s talk about some things to watch.

1. Michigan needs to get more people involved

While that sounds easy to say it’s not exactly something Michigan basketball can afford to do. You’d be taking a serious gamble but at the same time, the talent around Hunter Dickinson is just incomprehensible so the fact that we’re sitting in early February trying to find a 2nd man for Hunter Dickinson is nuts.

Purdue is going to be playing big bodies all game on Dickinson, and I would not be surprised if they double Dickinson and dare Michigan basketball to shoot the three, which would be very smart.

2. Caleb Houstan needs to step up

Caleb Houstan was Michigan’s highest-rated recruit in the last class and one of the highest-rated recruits ever to attend Michigan. Yet, he has seen some serious struggles lately. Most notably shooting 1-of-4 yesterday against Penn State.

Houstan needs to have a career night against Purdue and contribute in a big way to the box score or else this is going to get ugly. No more exceptions, if he’s not able to shoot the ball bring in someone who can.

3. Michigan needs to find a way to stop Jaden Ivey

Jaden Ivey in my opinion is the best player in college basketball right now. He’s explosive, dynamic, and quick to the rim with the ability to tear you apart from deep. Michigan has not seen a player so gifted in a long time, in my opinion, and they did not do a good job at all the last time they played.

Trevion Williams exploded out of nowhere but they did a good job keeping Edey at bay, so now the Wolverines need to keep Ivey below 20 points to give them a fighting chance. I believe in the Wolverine’s ability to stop Ivey, but it’s going to come down to coaching in my eyes.