Defense needs to travel
As good as the offense has been for Michigan basketball, the defense is the biggest reason why the Wolverines are ranked. 11th is a great place to be in the Kenpom rankings and Michigan is doing all the right things.
Teams are only averaging 8.2 assists per game. The field-goal percentage defense ranks in the top 53 in each category but is 12th overall (field-goal percentage) and 11th in 2-point field-goal percentage defense.
Teams are shooting just 29.1 percent from 3-point range against Michigan. Thiero, Fland, and Davis are all guys to worry about with the ball in their hands. Making Arkansas settle for tough 2s will probably be the idea.
That means playing good transition defense, which is another reason why keeping the turnovers down is important.
We'll see if Arkansas tries to attack Wolf. Fland and Davis are also dangerous and containing all those weapons is another key to victory for the 14th-ranked Wolverines.
Prediction: Michigan 79, Arkansas 72