After playing two of the top teams in the country from the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers face off. Who will come out of this with their first conference win?
TV schedule: Saturday, Dec. 12, 12:30 p.m. ET. CBS.
Arena: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan
First-year head coach Archie Miller got off to as rough a start as possible with his new program, losing on opening day to Indiana State at home. The Hoosiers have improved since, winning four of five before losing to top-ranked Duke, 91-81. It was their best performance yet, going toe to toe for over 30 minutes with the Blue Devils. Robert Johnson led the team that game with 17 points and De’Ron Davis chipped in 16 points on an efficient 6/7 shooting.
There were fears that the bottom would fall out this season for Indiana (4-3), but there’s enough talent from the veterans on the roster to make a push for a middle place finish, in what’s been an overall disappointment for the league so far.
One of those teams Indiana will try to finish ahead of is Michigan (6-2), who are coming off an 86-71 loss to the defending national champions North Carolina Tar Heels. The lack of defense in the first half (51 points allowed) doomed Jon Beilein and the Wolverines out the gate. Moritz Wagner was the top player for Michigan, going for 20 points and nine boards.
Kentucky transfer Charles Mathews didn’t play as well versus UNC (12 points) but has been the top scorer for the Wolverines, averaging 16.1 ppg. Wagner is a close second, with 15.9 ppg and 8.6 rpg. The big issue for Michigan right now is the production from the point guard position. Eli Brooks and Zavier Simpson have split starts and time as the main ball handler, with neither establishing themselves as the top guy.
The biggest disappointment has been the situation with Ohio transfer Jaaron Simmons, who averaged 15.9 ppg and 6.5 apg in the MAC a year ago. So far, he’s playing just 11 mpg, and contributing 1.5 ppg. For some reason or another, the coaching staff hasn’t given him any run in the rotation.
Next: Cincy-Xavier by the positions
Unless Michigan can find answers at the point guard position, they’re going to be vulnerable to many more losses, including to an Indiana team who’s showing some fight. With the game being played in Ann Arbor, along with the overall edge on offense for the Wolverines, Beilein and company should start off Big Ten play 1-0. Otherwise, it could be a long season for them.
Prediction: Michigan 85 – Indiana 78