It's a battle of worst against first on Thursday night in Minnesota. The Golden Gophers, who are 8-9 overall and 0-6 in the Big Ten, will host Michigan basketball, which is ranked 20th. The Wolverines are also 5-0 in Big Ten play.
Michigan beat Iowa and Wisconsin by a combined five points. Yet, the Wolverines dominated three old Pac-12 teams -- UCLA, Washington, and USC, on their way to a 5-0 record. All three games were won by at least 11 points.
Michigan's lowest point total during those wins was 85 points. Only once in Big Ten play, against Wisconsin, have the Wolverines been held under 80 points. Minnesota, on the other hand, is the worst team in the Big Ten and the Gophers play like it, trying to slow the game down, in order to grind out a win.
Of course, it hasn't worked all that well. Minnesota doesn't have a top-100 win this season and is 0-6 in the Big Ten. The Gophers are ranked outside the top 100 of the Kenpom rankings.
Three players attempt 62 percent of the shots for Minnesota led by Dawson Garcia, who is averaging 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. 6-foot-1 guard Lu'Cye Patterson is also averaging in double figures but shoots just 25 percent from 3-point range. Mike Mitchell and Isaac Asuma are two others to know and both shoot over 40 percent from deep.
The Wolverines have been dominant and boast quite possibly the best offense in college basketball. Michigan baskeball leads the country in field goal percentage (51.9 percent), is second in 2-point percentage (63.3 percent), and 34th in 3-point percentage (37.8). The Wolverines have the 14th-best adjusted offense via Kenpom and the No. 20 defense.
That makes Michigan one of just seven teams to rank among the top 20 in both categories. Tonight against Minnesota, the Wolverines are a 9.5-point favorite and here are three keys, plus a prediction.
Don't play Minnesota's game
In terms of tempo, according to Kenpom's adjusted tempo, Michigan basketball is 48th. Minnesota is 358th. The Gophers want to slow the game down, limit possessions and try to win ugly.
That's the exact opposite of how the Wolverines want to play. According to UMHoops, the Gophers have had just one game this season with more than 70 possessions, while the Wolverines have only played three with fewer than 70.
That will be important to watch tonight. If Minnesota can slow the game down, and keep it in the 60s, it could have a chance at the upset.