No. 23 Wisconsin faces No. 3 Michigan in the Big Ten semifinals today at 12:00 PM CT on CBS in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. Once again, the Badgers are big underdogs against the mighty Wolverines, as Michigan is favored by 12.5 points.
Yesterday, the Badgers delivered another heart-stopping overtime victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini, 91-88. Nick Boyd took the game over after Kylan Boswell got in his face, scoring a career-high 38 points. Alongside Boyd, John Blackwell chipped in 31,
making it a combined 69 points by the best backcourt duo in the nation.
Back in January, Wisconsin upset the second-ranked Wolverines in Ann Arbor, turning the Badgers’ season around. Let’s look at what has changed for Michigan since that loss to Wisconsin.
Opponent Preview
With the exception of that January 10th loss to Wisconsin, Dusty May’s Michigan Wolverines have dominated the Big Ten Conference this year. The Wolverines wrapped up the regular-season Big Ten conference title on February 27th with a win at Illinois and finished with an outstanding 19-1 conference record. Michigan’s only loss was to the current number-one-ranked team, Duke, in a rare out-of-conference February matchup in Washington, D.C., back on February 21st.
The Wolverines remain one of the most balanced teams in the nation. The Michigan offense ranks first in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation at 87.9 points per game, while its defense is fifth in the Big Ten, allowing 69.0 points per game.
In their quarterfinal matchup against Ohio State, Michigan earned its third victory over the Buckeyes this season, 71-67. Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Aday Mara led the way with 17 points and seven rebounds to deny Ohio State’s upset bid.
Mara is one of many Michigan Wolverines to take home Big Ten postseason honors. Dusty May was named Big Ten Coach of the Year, while forward Yaxel Lendeborg was named Big Ten Player of the Year. In addition, forward Morez Johnson Jr. landed on the All-Big Ten third team, and Trey McKenney took home Big Ten All-Freshman team honors. Johnson Jr., Lendeborg, and Mara also landed on this year’s Big Ten All-Defensive team.
Score Prediction
Michigan has shown in recent games that it is close to being upset, but has managed to pull out a victory. While Nolan Winter is questionable to return, I have a tough time believing this Wisconsin team can pull another upset over Michigan.
In the last meeting, the Badgers got off to a spectacular 20-7 run to start the second half. Can the Badgers do that again against the Wolverines’ intimidating size?
Prediction: Michigan 86-75
