3 keys and a prediction for Michigan basketball vs Ohio State

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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David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

3-point defense

Michigan’s defense has been up and down all season and it’s something that really dates back to the 2021-22 season.

Michigan baskeball just hasn’t been the same defensively since a couple of years ago but when you lose guys like Chaundee Brown and Franz Wagner, that’s understandable.

On Thursday night though, Michigan looked invested on the defensive end of the floor. Northwestern is a really good 3-point shooting team and the Wolverines did a solid job. Anytime you hold someone under 60 points, that’s a good effort.

The communication was better and that needs to continue on Saturday against Ohio State, which shoots 39 percent from 3-point range in Big Ten play (2nd). Brice Sensabaugh is the No. 1 option and he makes 2.1 triples per game in addition to averaging 17.4 points per game. Sean McNeil and Bruce Thorton also make more than one three per game.

Ohio State attacks the rim a bunch and is second in 2-point field goal attempts but 14th in the Big Ten in 2-point field-goal percentage (44.7). Therefore, the defining thing for the Ohio State offense, to me, will be the 3-ball.

If Ohio State shoots close to 40 percent, that’s a concern for the Wolverines. Also, if that number is closer to 30, that’s a big win for Michigan.

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