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3 keys and a prediction for Michigan basketball vs Ohio State

By Chris Peterson

Jan 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan's Jace Howard (center) and Will Tschetter (right) try to tell Hunter Dickinson (1) (left) that his nose is bleeding from the bench during their game against Penn State in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan's Jace Howard (center) and Will Tschetter (right) try to tell Hunter Dickinson (1) (left) that his nose is bleeding from the bench during their game against Penn State in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan basketball faces a huge game on Sunday against Ohio State and here are three keys for the Wolverines, as well a prediction. 

It’s rivalry Sunday for Michigan basketball as the Wolverines host the Ohio State Buckeyes in a must-win game.

Michigan basketball kept its hopes alive of making a postseason run on Thursday with an important Quadrant-1 win at Northwestern. With Maryland improving in the NET rankings, the Wolverines actually have two quad-1 wins now.

This game is the start of a three-game homestand. Juwan Howard has yet to beat Ohio State at home and the Buckeyes are really struggling losing eight of their last nine games.

As with Michigan, Ohio State doesn’t lack talent. The Buckeyes are still ranked in the top 40 according to Kenpom even though they are now 11-11 and 3-8 in the Big Ten.

This team is dangerous and in rivalry games, you never know what’s going to happen. Michigan basketball needs this one and here are three keys and a prediction.

Get Hunter going

Despite the fact that Northwestern does really well not to allow post-ups, Hunter Dickinson wound up with 19 points in the win on Thursday. He doesn’t need to force things but he does need to be assertive.

Ohio State has size but nobody that should be able to slow down Dickinson. It will be interesting to see if the Buckeyes double, go zone, trap, or do a mix of it all.

Regardless, Dickinson needs to make good decisions, limit turnovers and finish around the basket. He does all of those things really well, but to win this game, Michigan is going to need its best player to show out.

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