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Michigan Basketball: 3 keys and a prediction for Wolverines vs Ohio State

By Chris Peterson

Feb 10, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) celebrates during the second half as Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) reacts at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) celebrates during the second half as Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) reacts at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan basketball has more work to do on its NCAA tournament resume and here are three keys and a prediction for Ohio State. 

Just two days ago, Michigan basketball notched its biggest win of the season as the Wolverines dismantled Purdue.

But, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, Michigan basketball is still projected among the next four teams out. Right now, Michigan ranks eighth in that order.

The Wolverines are 13-9 and 7-5 in the Big Ten and as that projection shows, Michigan basketball still has work to do on its resume. A win over 16th-ranked Ohio State would certainly help. The Buckeyes are fresh off a loss to Rutgers and have struggled recently against top-level teams.

After its win over Purdue, Michigan rose to No. 27 in the Kenpom rankings. Ohio State is 21st led by the sixth-ranked adjusted offense. However, OSU is ranked 127th on defense. Michigan, by comparison, is 19th on offense and 86th on defense.

So without further ado, let’s break down the keys for Michigan basketball to beat Ohio State and we’ll also break down the odds and offer a prediction.

A big game from Moussa Diabate

If the Wolverines are going to knock off their rival, a big key is slowing down E.J. Liddell who is averaging nearly 18 points a game, 7.6 rebounds and is shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-7 forward is as good a scorer as there is in the Big Ten and freshman Moussa Diabate is going to draw the assignment. Diabate has grown by leaps and bounds this season, but at times, he will regress and make some of those same freshman mistakes.

Diabate was outstanding against Purdue and guarding Liddell will be among his biggest challenges. He’s long and athletic though and the job is to make things as hard on Liddell as possible, while not allowing him to get his teammates involved.

Liddell is going to work but if the Wolverines can force him to take lots of tough shots and be less efficient than usual, that’s a winning formula. But as with doing that to Hunter Dickinson, it’s much easier said than done.

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