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thewolverines24
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7 PM Eastern on BTN+. Subscription stream to watch is the only option. Unless you know Jack Sparrow, Blackbeard, or Roberto Clemente.
KEYS
Value the basketball: The strength of CMU?s defense is its ability to force giveaways, while Michigan is ranked 2nd in the country in turnover rate. The Wolverines have been terrific in valuing the basketball all year long, and accomplishing the same will be crucial tonight.
Transition & one-on-one defense: CMU wants to play fast and attack one-on-one matchups. It?s not much of a secret that Michigan has struggled to contain the ball defensively and CMU will test those abilities, despite a very limited offensive squad. An outstanding defensive performance against Central Michigan won?t change the outlook for Michigan on defense, but it will provide a building block ahead of much more difficult challenges.
Get Hunter Dickinson on track: Hunter Dickinson has been sputtering over the last six games. He?s been productive but hasn?t been approaching the All-American level of play that Michigan needs from him on a nightly basis. Establishing a ball screen offense is essential, just like it has been crucial to allow Dug McDaniel and Kobe Bufkin to grow into bigger roles. That progress has been encouraging over the last few games, but where this team ends up depends on Dickinson. Michigan isn?t going to beat good Big Ten teams without Dickinson dominating, and he hasn?t dominated a game for a while now.
BOTTOM LINE
The Chippewas are one of the worst teams on Michigan?s non-conference schedule, and Michigan is out of time to mess around. KenPom pegs the Wolverines as 85-65 favorites, giving CMU a 3% chance at the upset. This is a spot where Michigan needs to play well for 40 minutes, cover the KenPom spread, and then get back in the lab ahead of a New Year?s Day tilt with Maryland.
Go Blue!
KEYS
Value the basketball: The strength of CMU?s defense is its ability to force giveaways, while Michigan is ranked 2nd in the country in turnover rate. The Wolverines have been terrific in valuing the basketball all year long, and accomplishing the same will be crucial tonight.
Transition & one-on-one defense: CMU wants to play fast and attack one-on-one matchups. It?s not much of a secret that Michigan has struggled to contain the ball defensively and CMU will test those abilities, despite a very limited offensive squad. An outstanding defensive performance against Central Michigan won?t change the outlook for Michigan on defense, but it will provide a building block ahead of much more difficult challenges.
Get Hunter Dickinson on track: Hunter Dickinson has been sputtering over the last six games. He?s been productive but hasn?t been approaching the All-American level of play that Michigan needs from him on a nightly basis. Establishing a ball screen offense is essential, just like it has been crucial to allow Dug McDaniel and Kobe Bufkin to grow into bigger roles. That progress has been encouraging over the last few games, but where this team ends up depends on Dickinson. Michigan isn?t going to beat good Big Ten teams without Dickinson dominating, and he hasn?t dominated a game for a while now.
BOTTOM LINE
The Chippewas are one of the worst teams on Michigan?s non-conference schedule, and Michigan is out of time to mess around. KenPom pegs the Wolverines as 85-65 favorites, giving CMU a 3% chance at the upset. This is a spot where Michigan needs to play well for 40 minutes, cover the KenPom spread, and then get back in the lab ahead of a New Year?s Day tilt with Maryland.
Go Blue!
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