It has been a fun but frustrating season for Michigan basketball. The Wolverines surged back into the Top 25 after wins over Xavier and Wisconsin but will drop out after a one-point loss to Oklahoma and a two-point loss to Arkansas last week.
The Wolverines have lost three games this season by a total of five points. They also led by double-digits in each one of those games. Michigan basketball needs to learn how to finish, but the people saying Dusty May can't coach are clueless.
Michigan basketball is well ahead of schedule and as long as they can take care of business in the next two games, they'll head into final 18 Big Ten games with a 10-3 record and a 2-0 mark in the league.
Purdue Fort Wayne might not sound formidable, but it is ranked 135th in the Kenpom rankings, meaning Michigan could lose this game if it's not careful. The Mastodons also have all five starters back from last season, making them experienced and sort of a scary mid-major, especially because they specialize in 3-point shooting and forcing turnovers.
Here are the keys, predictions, and how to watch for Michigan basketball vs. Purdue Fort Wayne.
Keys
Purdue Fort Wayne is 13th in all of college basketball with 3-point field goals (138). They have five players who average at least one 3-point field per game led by Rasheed Bello (2.1) and Maximus Nelson (2.5). 6-foot-2 guard Jalen Jackson scores 18 points per game and is also a solid 3-point shooter, so one big key for Michigan basketball will be 3-point defense. The Wolverines need to make a triple or two at some point after shooting 14 percent against Oklahoma. One recipe for an upset is allowing Purdue Fort Wayne to win the 3-point battle as Oklahoma did.
Another big key will be turnovers. Purdue Fort Wayne forces over 15 per game, which is 32nd in college basketball. Michigan has struggled with turnovers all year, so keeping that number around 10 will be important. The Wolverines also need to take advantage of their 7-footers inside. Purdue Fort Wayne doesn't have a single player taller than 6-foot-9, so U-M should own the paint.
Michigan basketball vs. Purdue Fort Wayne how to watch
Date: December 22 Game Time: 1:00 PM EST Venue: Crisler Center How to Watch: BIG+ Listen: Mgoblue.com
Michigan basketball vs Purdue Fort Wayne prediction
Michigan is a 22-point favorite. That seems a tad high. Purdue Fort Wayne can shoot the ball and if they have success forcing turnovers, they could hang around in this game. But after two tough losses, Michigan basketball will come back with a vengance. The Wolverines will shoot much better from 3-point range and they win going away.
Prediction: Michigan 92, Purdue Fort Wayne 68