Dusty May will get his first taste of Big Ten basketball as the Michigan basketball head coach on Tuesday night as the Wolverines head to the Kohl Center to face 11th-ranked Wisconsin.
The Badgers are always tough to beat at home. The Kohl Center hasn't been kind to Michigan basketball over the years. However, the Wolverines are ranked 22nd in the Kenpom rankings compared to the Badgers, who are ranked 29th.
It's been a few years since Michigan won in Madison and it won't be easy on Tuesday night. John Tonje is a name to know. He's averaging 22.9 points per game and shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range with two 3-point field goals per game.
The Badgers have six players who make 0.8 3-pointers per game. They also take care of the ball and play really good defense. John Blackwell is averaging 14.9 points at the point guard spot while Max Klemist is also scoring in double figures (11.5 ppg) and dishing out three assists per game.
Wisconsin is holding teams under a point-per-possession this season and have a top-100 3-point percentage defense. It's going to be a huge challenge for all those reasons. Here are three keys and a prediction for Michigan baskeball vs. Wisconsin.
Win the 3-point battle
Michigan is 37th in 3-point percentage (38.5) and 77th in 3-point percentage defense (29.6). Wisconsin ranks in the top 100 of college basketball in each category too.
So the team that shoots the ball better will have a huge edge. Both teams are proficient. The Wolverines also have six players averaging at least 0.9 3-point field goals per game.
Of course, the Badgers' transition defense is excellent, which should make getting opens looks even more difficult, but part of that is that the Wolverines need to try and impose their will.
We'll see how that goes, but a good night from the 3-point line feels essential to victory. At the very least, Michigan can't allow Wisconsin to get hot. That could turn into a long night.