Michigan basketball has another interesting matchup against Western Kentucky on Sunday. The Hilltoppers are ranked 112th overall according to the Kenpom rankings and have won six in a row.
The Hilltoppers are 9-3, just like Michigan basketball. U-M is an 18.5-point favorite and they are playing at home at the Crisler Center (8:00 PM EST on Big Ten Network).
This could be a trap game for Michigan basketball but they have dominated their buy games this season, winning all of them by at least 20 points. Purdue Fort Wayne had a similar feel but the Wolverines blew them out and they should be able to handle Western Kentucky.
The Hilltoppers are much improved though and here are three keys and a prediction.
Don't get carried away with turnovers
Western Kentucky wants to play up-tempo. They average 82 points per game (55th in college basketball) but also force 14.7 turnovers per game. The Wolverines have struggled to take care of the basketball this season and if they have like 15-20 turnovers, this game could get interesting. Western Kentucky is likely to press, trying to mitigate their size disadvantage so U-M needs to be prepared.
Take advantage of their size inside
Western Kentucky is one of the shorter teams in college basketball. They have just five players who are 6-foot-6 or taller.
The Hilltoppers have two big men who are 6-foot-11 but they don't play a ton. Maybe they will get more minutes in this matchup, but the normal bigs for Western Kentucky, Babacar Faye (6-8) and Tyrone Marshall (6-7), are going to have a tough time defending Michigan basketball down low.
The Hilltoppers hold opponents to 49 percent on 2-point attempts. U-M shoots 62 percent and that's a matchup the Wolverines should win.
Keep Don McHenry in check
Don McHenry is a 6-foot-2 guard who averages 18 points per game. Michigan has struggled with dynamic guards this season and McHenry is a big reason why Western Kentucky is so dangerous in transition. McHenry is Western Kentucky's best scorer and creator. Holding him in check is key to avoiding a close game and a potential upset.
Michigan 89, Western Kentucky 67