3 keys and a prediction for Michigan basketball vs. Wake Forest

Michigan basketball will play its first high-major team of the season as the Wolverines square off against Wake Forest. Here are three keys and a prediction.

Michigan head coach Dusty May watches warm up before the season opener against Cleveland State during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.
Michigan head coach Dusty May watches warm up before the season opener against Cleveland State during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Value the basketball

Both teams have struggled with turnovers so far this season. It was just one game but Michigan basketball turned it over 15 times against Cleveland State.

Wake Forest is averaging 16 turnovers per game so far this season. Michigan forced 21 against Cleveland State and did a good job of forcing turnovers in the exhibition games too.

We'll see is that trend continues but even if it doesn't Michigan can't turn the ball over 15 times on Sunday and expect to win. There has been a ton of talk about how May reminds so many people of John Beilein, especially with how his teams play and there is a strong resemblance.

The shooting was off the charts. But Michigan could have taken care of the ball better and I'm sure that will be a focal point against Wake Forest. Win the turnover battle and the Wolverines will have a good chance of winning the game.

Prediction: Michigan 75, Wake Forest 70

Schedule

Schedule