The Michigan basketball team has won five games in a row as they head into Columbus for the first matchup against Ohio State this season.
Ohio State might be 15-10. However, the Buckeyes are ranked 28th according to the Kenpom rankings. Michigan basketball is 22nd. Both teams have top-30 offenses and defenses.
Ohio State has also lost just three times at home this season and beat Purdue on the road. Bruce Thorton is scoring the ball as well as anyone in the Big Ten right now and should challenge the Wolverines defense.
Ohio State is a team that relies on individual scoring and 3-point shooting. Ball-screen defense will be vital for Michigan. We saw against Purdue how the Wolverines offered different looks, even throwing some zone and pressures at Braden Smith.
We'll see how Dusty May defends Bruce Thorton. Ohio State is a 1.5-point favorite and here are three bold predictions (and a score) for the Buckeyes and Wolverines.
Roddy Gayle has a good game
You know that Roddy Gayle is going to be motivated for this one. He's also not quite right offensively. Gayle score in double figures the other night but hasn't shot the ball well from 3-point range.
However, Dusty May was smart to move him to a bench role where he can be more of a creator. Gayle showed last week he can still get to the bucket and create for others. He scored over 13 ppg last season and shot under 30 percent from 3-point range.
A secondary playmaker is needed and he turned into that against Purdue. His defense will also be important. The Buckeyes are a stellar shot-making team and even though the offense might not be pretty, Gayle will score in double figures again and he'll make an impact defensively.
Vlad Goldin delivers a double-double
I'm hoping the Goldin we saw in the second half against Purdue is the Vlad that we see going forward. At times, he's been downright dominant in the Big Ten.
He's also been timid. Since the torrent start, teams have gotten physical with the Wolverines. Dusty May even acknowledged that the Wolverines weren't quite ready for the physical nature of the Big Ten conference.
Now they are. Ohio State ranks 9th in the Big Ten in blocks. They do have a 7-footer, but only two players who are 6-foot-9 or taller. They allowed 10-of-16 field goals to Derik Queen and Julian Reese of Maryland.
Michigan can win the 2-point game. Danny Wolf needs to have a stellar day too but I see Vlad having a good day on the offensive end, and on the boards.
Buckeyes win the 3-point line
This probably isn't a super bold prediction. Michigan basketball has struggled from 3-point range recently. Ohio State is sixth in the Big Ten at 3-point percentage. The Wolverines' 3-point defense has been stellar though ranking fifth in the Big Ten allowing 31.7 percent.
I do think Michigan will start to find the shooting touch a little more. The Buckeyes can't match up with Michigan inside that should lead to some open looks. However, Ohio State will hit more and shoot a better percentage.
Prediction: Michigan 75, Ohio State 71
It's going to be a close battle. But I think the Wolverines will do just enough to bother Bruce Thorton. They will also struggle to defend Area 51 and Tre Donaldson will make an impact too as Dusty May wins his first foray into the rivalry.