When analyzing the matchup between Michigan basketball and Duke on Saturday, it can be difficult to find distinct advantages for both teams.
Michigan doesn't have many weaknesses. Neither does Duke. The Wolverines turn it over too much, while Duke isn't a great 3-point shooting team. They are middle of the pack, with the potential to be very good at times.
If there was one edge for Duke that worries me, it's the ability of Duke to force turnovers. The Blue Devils have forced 12.1 per game (101st) but also 11.8 per game in the ACC (2nd). Michigan turns the ball over 12.2 times per game. Michgan also forces 12 turnovers per game.
So that could wind up being a wash, especially because another weakness of Duke is not having an elite point guard. One thing for Michigan basketball, that can't be a wash, are the bench points.
That might be the biggest advantage Michigan has over Duke.
Michigan's bench can be an X-factor vs. Duke
Michigan might have the deepest bench in college basketball. Jon Rothstein said he thinks the Wolverines could take Aday Mara, the four bench players, and make the NCAA tournament.
Trey McKenney is scoring 10 points per game. He's shooting 37.7 percent from 3-point range. L.J. Cason is averaging 8.2 points in 19 minutes and is averaging 12.8 points per game in his last five outings.
McKenney has scored in double figures in eight of his last nine games. In seven of those games, the five-star true freshman has made at least two 3-pointers.
Add in Roddy Gayle, one of the best glue guys in college basketball, and an elite defender, plus the shooting and smarts of Will Tschetter, and the Wolverines score a total of 30.4 per game off the bench. Duke is averaging 20.4 points per game off the bench.
Looking back at the Purdue game, Michigan outscored the Boilermakers 34-15 on bench points. That's a huge reason why they won the game.
If the Wolverines come anywhere close to that on Saturday, they will win the game, probably by a few possessions.