For the second time in a few weeks, Michigan basketball will square off against Ohio State. This game will be in Columbus, and it's vital for both teams.
Michigan is 21-1 and 11-1 in the Big Ten, tied with Illinois for first place in the conference. The Wolverines are projected as a No. 1 seed by ESPN's Joe Lunardi.
Yet, in a title race this close, with Nebraska just one game back, there is no margin for error, especially with games against Illinois, Purdue, and Michigan State looming.
This is the kind of game that could cost Michigan a regular-season championship. On the flip side, it's the perfect opportunity for Ohio State to bolster its NCAA tournament resume. The Buckeyes are 15-7 overall and 7-5 in the Big Ten.
This is the start of a four-game stretch against teams in the tournament or also on the bubble for the Buckeyes, with three of four at home.
For Michigan, it's a chance to sweep the Buckeyes after posting a 1-0 record against them last season. Dusty May is 2-0 against OSU and 2-0 in rivalry games this season. Michigan basketball and Ohio State will be a perfect table setter for the Super Bowl. Here are three bold predictions.
Michigan stymies Bruce Thornton again
Ohio State will surely try to adjust to Michigan's game plan of trying to keep Thornton out of the paint, which worked pretty well in the first meeting. He scored just 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Michigan forced a lot of tough mid-range jumpers, and Thornton wasn't able to convert. Dynamic guards used to be this program's achilles heel. Now, this program can switch 1-4, and outside of a stretch five, they are really prepared to guard anything.
They can guard a stretch five, too, it just makes it more difficult with Aday Mara, although as Dusty May has shown, the Wolverines are willing and able to adjust.
Michigan wants to force a lot of one-on-one shots that are tough 2-point attempts. Thornton can make those shots, but Michigan's length will be an issue, and he'll be held under 15 for the second time this season against the Wolverines, as well as the sixth time overall.
Michigan controls the paint again
The Wolverines probably won't shoot 75 percent on 2-pointers this time around, but they also rebounded 46 percent of their misses, which isn't surprising against an Ohio State team allowing more offensive rebounds than any team in the Big Ten.
Michigan will make more 3-pointers than in the first game, and won't shoot below 30 percent. That's my prediction at least, as it feels like Ohio State will force more 3-point attempts, since the Wolverines did struggle to make them.
Michigan has been inconsistent from deep. However, Nimari Burnett just hit seven. Trey McKenney has scored in double figures in five consecutive games. Regardless, if Ohio State plays more zone, it could lead to even more offensive rebounding opportunities.
Second-chance points, 2-point percentage, and points in the paint are all categories that will be won by the Wolverines on Sunday.
Yaxel shines
Yaxel Lendeborg seems to take these rivalry games personally. The Wolverines star is averaging 22 points and 10.5 rebounds (50 percent from field) in the wins over Michigan State and Ohio State.
Lendeborg had 18 points and nine rebounds in the first matchup. On Sunday, he will have 20 and 10 in a second straight win for the Wolverines.
Michigan 79, Ohio Staate 68