3 keys and a prediction for Michigan basketball vs. No. 22 Xavier

Keep the 3-point battle even

Michigan makes 9.8 3-pointers per game. Xavier makes 9.7. The Musketeers are 17th in college hoops shooting 40 percent from 3-point range, so that will be a huge challenge for the Wolverines defensively, although they are allowing teams to shoot just 28 percent from deep.

With Michigan's size advantage on the inside and its ability to throw multiple lineups at Xavier, such as Danny Wolf playing center if needed, it feels like the Wolverines have the advantage as long as they don't beat themsleves with turnovers and keep Xavier off the offensive boards reasonably well.

That's all true as long as the 3-point battle is close. This wil be the toughest test of Michigan's 3-point defense and if Michigan succeeds on that end of the floor, it should win the game.

Michigan vs. Xavier prediction

Both teams should shoot the ball better after getting adjusted to a weird-looking gym. it's a hard matchup to read and the battle at center could really determine things. Vlad Goldin needs to score inside and not allow Freemantle to get easy looks. But we also don't know how much Goldin will guard him. Michigan needs to do a better job of limiting offensive boards and turnovers, but as they can hit more of the open looks than they did on Friday, I'm going with Michigan.

Prediction: Michigan 79, Xavier 74