Win in the paint
Ace Baldwin, Penn State's point guard is the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year from last season and is also one of the best ball-screen guards in the Big Ten. U-M will need to do a better job against him than it did Braden Smith.
Zach Hicks is another name to know. He's made 53 triples this season and leads the Big Ten in 3-point shooting percentage (42.1). Limiting those players will be a huge key, but the Wolverines need to be productive on offense too, starting with Vlad Goldin inside.
Michigan basketball has the second-best 2-point offense in the Big Ten (percentage wise) and is fifth in all of college basketball. The Wolverines were held under 50 percent against Minnesota and Northwestern. They did make 56 percent of their 2-pointers against Purdue, but they only attempted 25 compared to 29 3-pointers.
Goldin also had four turnovers in that game. Same as Danny Wolf. The big-man pick-and-roll wasn't effective and hasn't been the past few games. Penn State does have one of the best rim protectors in the Big Ten in Yanic Konan Niederhauser who leads the conference with 2.2 blocks per game.
Goldin needs to win that matchup. Michigan basketball also needs to take advantage of the fact that Penn State ranks 18th in the Big Ten in offensive rebounding and 17th in defensive rebounding.
Goldin needs to win down low and the Wolverines should dominate the glass. If not, that will be worrisome.
Prediction: Michigan 81, Penn State 71
The Nittany Lions will keep it close with their ability to force turnovers, but the Wolverines will shoot the ball better and the Twin Towers bounce back. So does the 3-point shooting in a much-needed win.