3 predictions for Michigan Basketball against Purdue Fort Wayne
Dug McDaniel will impress again
One of the most exciting players in the Michigan basketball game against Ferris State was Dug McDaniel.
The freshman point guard is only 5-foot-11 and that’s why he wasn’t ranked higher in the recruiting rankings but he looks like he belongs.
I already predicted that Dug is going to break the string of transfer starting point guards next season and who knows, he could take over by the end of 2022-23. He’s got a burst that you can’t teach and he’s always been a true point guard in terms of being a shot-creator.
What I love about Llewellyn is that he’s got the ability to play alongside Dug at the two and if you think about a guard rotation of Llewellyn, Bufkin, McDaniel, and Jett or Isaiah Barnes and it’s something the Wolverines can work with.
McDaniel needs to prove he can hit shots from deep. He was 0-for-3 on Friday. I’ll predict he hits at least one on Monday and makes another positive impression.
Michigan basketball vs Purdue Fort Wayne score prediction
As I said, Purdue Fort Wayne is no joke and they are ranked 155th overall right now according to the preseason Kenpom rankings. Michigan basketball is 26th.
That’s only like 40 spots lower than Nebraska is right now, so the Mastodons could provide the Wolverines a real challenge, especially with their experience and 3-point ability. Purdue Fort-Wayne made over nine 3-pointers a game and will test U-M’s defense.
Jett and Bufkin looked really good at scoring the ball but they have to play solid defense too and that’s something to watch. Terrance Williams and Hunter Dickinson can struggle on that end too, so I’m watching the defense as much as the offense.
However, Purdue Fort Wayne also struggles on the boards and I see Michigan’s offensive rebounding being an issue. U-M is just too big, strong, skilled, and athletic, or at least it should be but the chemistry and cohesion advantage is Purdue Fort Wayne’s.
Next. 5 bold predictions for Michigan's 2022-23 season. dark
The Wolverines enter this matchup as a 15.5-point favorite according to FanDuel and I’m going to say that Michigan covers the spread with an 89-70 win after a competitive first half.
(Odds are subject to change)