Game Day Essentials: Game #30 at Michigan

Michigan Info

Head Coach: Juwan Howard
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Wolverines

Shirt not to wear: Yellow, Blue, Nike
Line: Michigan by 17
Typical Rotation Depth: 7-9

KenPom rank: 30

Offensive Style: To the rim

Defensive Style: Guarding the 3

Players to watch:   Jon Teske

The big 7'1" center leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Teske takes and makes enough 3s where you have to honor that ability.  He's also a formidable rim protector.

Players to watch:       Zavier Simpson

The senior PG didn't play in Lincoln though the team was fine without him. Notorious for having a poor outside shot coming into this year, Simpson is hitting on a respectable 35% this year.

Roster points

Michigan's roster is at full strength and they've played well despite dropping 

• Livers is one of Michigan's best 3pt shooters
• Starting 2 guard Brooks has struggled with his shot in conference play
• Franz is the younger brother of former star Mo and has really come on in the last 5 games.
• Nebraska will have to work hard to keep forward Brandon Johns off the boards. Johns is typically the 5th option on offense and can clog the paint when paired with Teske
• DeJulius is guard depth
• Soph Adrien Nunez and Fr Cole Bajema are a couple of high ranked out of HS guys not currently in the rotation. 
• Centers Austin Davis and Colin Castleton are both traditional post players used not only as depth for Teske but will also play with him. Michigan won't have any hangups about trying to match up with Nebraska's small line up.

The Skinny:

This isn't a particularly good matchup for Nebraska.  Michigan runs people off the 3pt line better than most anyone and Nebraska is at their worst when they turn into a hero ball driving team. Offensively they're going to try and run everything into the paint but will be content to take open threes when Nebraska inevitably sells out to stop it.  Feels like you're asking this Nebraska team if they feel lucky on Michigan senior night and the answer is probably no. Feels like we're due for a respectable night of FT makes or else some other little victory.

 While they most likely our looking ahead to Maryland, the Wolverines also still have a bad taste in their mouth from Sunday's loss at Ohio St.  While Nebraska seems to show up when you least expect it, I don't expect that twist tonight.

Prediction: Michigan 80 - Nebraska 63