Michigan Basketball: Top 5 non-conference games for 2018-19

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Villanova Wildcats in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Charles Matthews #1 of the Michigan Wolverines drives to the basket against Marques Townes #5 of the Loyola Ramblers in the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four semifinal game at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Brett Wilhelm – Pool/Getty Images) /

5. George Washington, Neutral, November 17th

The fifth strongest game on Michigan’s schedule is against the George Washington Colonials. This early season contest is very important because Michigan will have the opportunity to play a stronger opponent in the championship of the Mohegan Sun Hall of Fame Tip-Off if they win.

George Washington looks like a sub-100 team and a bottom four A-10 squad so a win will not positively impact Michigan’s resume. Last season, they finished 192nd in KenPom and have lost their top three scorers (Yuta Watanabe, Jair Bolden, and Patrick Steeves). Wing Terry Nolan and big man Armando Toro are the two returning starters and they averaged 9.1ppg and 7.8rpg respectively.

The Colonials do add a pair of transfers in DJ Williams and Armel Potter who could provide a reason for optimism. Potter was a double-figure scorer for both of his seasons at Charleston Southern and will likely take over for Bolden in the backcourt. Williams is a former highly rated recruit who played sparingly at Illinois. He should start next to Toro in the frontcourt. Rising sophomore Justin Mazzula played in all 33 games last season and could be the fifth starter for George Washington.

Michigan should be heavily favored in this game and a loss here would be considered a major upset.

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