GBMWolverine
Fansided

3 keys and a prediction for Michigan basketball against Virginia Tech

Michigan basketball has high-major contest against Virginia Tech on Monday and here are the keys and prediction.

By Chris Peterson

Nov 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Tre Donaldson (3) dribbles on Tarleton Texans guard Jordan Mizell (4) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Nov 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Tre Donaldson (3) dribbles on Tarleton Texans guard Jordan Mizell (4) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan basketball is taking part in a multi-team tournament and the Wolverines will play two games over the next two days.

Michigan is part of the Fort Myers Tip-Off. Virginia Tech, Xavier, and South Carolina are the other teams in the field. If Michigan wins, it will play South Carolina or Xavier for the championship or face the loser of that game for third if it loses to Virginia Tech.

Michigan basketball is 28th in the Kenpom rankings. Virginia Tech is 129th. The Hokies have two losses this season. One was to Penn State. Another was to Jacksonville. The Wolverines are an 11-point favorite and here are three keys plus a prediction.

Take care of the ball

Michigan is turning the ball over 16 times per game. Virginia Tech is forcing 14 turnovers per game. It's one of the things that Hokies have done well this season and forcing Michigan into 15 turnovers seems like one of the few ways the Hokies can win the game.

Turnovers have been a theme and against a high-major opponent, this will be a good test for Dusty May's Wolverines.

Mitigate the boards

Virginia Tech has some talented offensive pieces in Mylyjael Poteat and Toibu Lawal who each average 13 points per game. Neither is a perimeter scoring threat but they both shoot better than 55 percent on 2-point attempts. Virginia Tech is bringing down 12.6 offenisve rebounds per game. Michigan basketball is allowing 11.6 and that's another path for the Hokies to pull an upset.

Keep defending at a high level

Michigan has been shooting the ball well (38 percent from 3-point range) and averaging 1.16 points per possesion. They are among the top-100 overall in college basketball in offensive and defensive efficiency.

The defense has been stellar. The 0.86 rating is 17th in college hoops. Michigan basketball hasn't played the most difficult schedule, although there have been two top-75 teams. Virginia Tech also isn't a great offensive team. The Hokies are outside the top 200 in field goal percentage, 2-point percentage, 3-point percentage, and points per game.

They are scoring under a point per possession and if Michigan can hold them under that on Monday, that should equal a Wolverines win.

Michigan vs Virginia Tech prediction

Tre Donaldson deserves more credit for how he's playing. The Auburn transfer is scoring 13.6 points per game to lead Michigan as well as dishing out 4.5 assists and shooting 52 percent from 3-point range. The Wolverines are averaging 1.16 points per possession and Donaldson is a big reason why. That should continue on Monday and even if it drops a bit, as long as the defense holds up and U-M doesn't allow a bunch of extra possessions via turnovers or offensive boards, it should be a double-digit win.

Prediction: Michigan 80, Virginia Tech 66

Home/Michigan Basketball