Michigan will beat Michigan State
One of the lessons Dusty May learned last season was that the Wolverines needed to be a better rebounding team this season.
Michigan State out-rebounded the Wolverines on the offensive glass both times. In the first game in Ann Arbor, the Spartans grabbed 19 offensive boards (40 percent of their misses). Michigan only allowed 10 in the second meeting, but it was a huge issue.
It wasn't just Michigan State either. So May went out and got the best rebounder in the American Conference, plus two of the best rebounders in the Big Ten -- Johnson and Mara.
Mara has the low-post scoring ability to replace what Vlad Goldin brought, too. He's got NBA draft potential. Add Tschetter to that frontcourt group, and it's one of the most versatile in the country.
That will pay off in the Big Ten, especially against Michigan State. The Spartans will likely win one of the two games, but Michigan will win at least one in the series this season. Lendeborg, Mara, and Johnson combined for 8.2 offensive rebounds last season and a total average of 22.1.
Neither Johnson or Mara played over 19 minutes a game either. So rebounding should be a strength, not a weakness, and that will neutralize a huge advantage for MSU last season.