3 Keys and a prediction for Michigan Basketball vs Rutgers

Contain Ron Harper and Geo Baker

Trying to slow down Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker is much easier said than done but Michigan basketball can’t allow the two to combine for 47 points and eight 3-pointers as it did in the first matchup.

Baker scored more points but Harper seemed to set the tone against the Wolverines and made 5-of-6 attempts from 3-point range. Brandon Johns will probably get the first look at defending Harper and to be fair, he wasn’t available in that matchup.

Johns can be a solid defender and when called upon in key situations during his career, he’s been able to deliver such as starting for Isaiah Livers when he was out in 2020 and 2021.

But the Wolverines are also going to need a solid effort from Jace Howard. He doesn’t make much impact on the offensive end but his defense is solid and his mentality is needed against a Rutgers team that doesn’t care about winning ugly.

Michigan needs productive minutes from the four, even if just on defense and it will be up to Johns and Howard to provide that. But Johns has played well against Rutgers in the past so this could be the perfect situation for him to exceed expectations once again.

Michigan basketball vs Rutgers prediction

The Wolverines will be without their head coach and that’s not ideal. But Michigan has one of the better coaching staffs in college basketball and Phil Martelli is no stranger to the sideline.

The coaches will need to put the players in a position to be successful and they will. At the end of the day, it’s not that complicated. I think Michigan comes out with an inspired effort.

Dickinson and Brooks — they know what is at stake — and I don’t see them laying an egg tonight. Hunter is going to be on point and I think Eli has a classic (professor) game playing great defense and providing timely scoring. I also expect a solid night from Johns and DeVante Jones.

Rutgers is tough and talented. This will be a grind but Michigan will find a way: 72-66.