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3 keys and a prediction for Michigan basketball vs. Arkansas

Michigan basketball has another test against Arkansas tonight and here are three keys and a prediction.

By Chris Peterson

Michigan center Danny Wolf (1) makes a layup against Iowa guard Josh Dix (4) during the second half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
Michigan center Danny Wolf (1) makes a layup against Iowa guard Josh Dix (4) during the second half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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524. December 10th . 8-1 . 485. Michigan -4 . 7-2. Score. 9:00 PM EST . ESPN2

What a difference one season makes for Michigan basketball. What a difference Dusty May has made.

After a 2-0 start in Big Ten play and an 8-1 record overall, the Wolverines are ranked in the AP poll this week (14th) for the first time since 2022.

On Tuesday night, in Madison Square Garden, another test awaits as John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks await in an interesting non-conference matchup.

It's another chance for what could be a quad-1 win for Michigan basketball. Arkansas is 45th right now in the Kenpom rankings. U-M is 22nd and boasts the 11th-ranked defense, dropping six spots after Iowa went for 83 points.

As with any Calipari team, Arkansas is loaded with talent. McDonald's All-American Boogie Fland (15 ppg, 5.2 assists) has been as good as advertised, while former Kentucky transfer Adou Thiero has been dynamic (18.6 ppg). Johnell Davis isn't scoring as much as he was under May but is a 3-point threat and another playmaker. Zyonimir Ivisic is scoring 12 points per game as a 7-foot-2 big.

There will be some interesting matchups at play and here are three keys, plus a prediction for Michigan basketball against Arkansas.

Control the turnovers

Both teams have strong defensive numbers but Arkansas has allowed more than a point per possession in each of the three games against high-major opponents. Illinois made 15 3-pointers and averaged 1.19 points per possession.

Arkansas forces 15 turnovers per game and Michigan basketball fans know that's a stat that can translate. The Wolverines are forcing 15 turnovers per game, but they can't keep giving it away at the rate that they have.

Thiero is a 6-foot-7 forward who can give Danny Wolf problems. Wolf has become a focal point of the offense in terms of creating for others but that's led to a high volume of turnovers too.

It's not just on Wolf though. Roddy Gayle had four turnovers against Iowa. You don't average 15 turnovers per game because of one player and staying under that number will be key tonight.

Keep it under and Michigan has a great shot to win this game.

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