Busting Brackets
Fansided

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

By Brad Cavallaro

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)
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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines is defended by Donte DiVincenzo #10 of the Villanova Wildcats in the second 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines is defended by Donte DiVincenzo #10 of the Villanova Wildcats in the second 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

3. Providence/South Carolina, Neutral, November 18th

This is a potential game for Michigan as their opponent will be determined by the result of the first round matchups in their early season tournament. Michigan will play GW and Providence will play South Carolina. If Michigan faces the Gamecocks, this will be the first of two encounters this season which is extremely rare.

Providence should be favored against South Carolina so the chances they play Michigan are high. The Friars lose three key seniors in Kyron Cartwright, Jalen Lindsey, and Rodney Bullock, but they return multiple important veterans. Alpha Diallo was the team’s second best player last season (behind Cartwright) and will look to improve on his 13.2ppg and 6.6rpg. The 6’7” junior is a matchup nightmare who plays 2-4 for Providence and uses his size and length to score around the basket and in the mid range. Now that Lindsey is gone, Diallo is the team’s best defender as well.

The good news for Providence is that Emmitt Holt is back after missing last season with abdominal surgery. Holt can space the floor and score with his back to the basket. He averaged double figures two seasons ago and should slot in at PF. Sophomore Nate Watson and senior Isaiah Jackson will likely occupy starting spots at center and small forward respectively after playing key roles last season.

The biggest question marks for Providence revolve around PG play and outside shooting. The freshmen duo of David Duke and AJ Reeves fill address these concerns, but are they ready to play major minutes on an NCAA Tournament team in their first seasons? Makai Ashton Langford will also see time at PG, but is coming off a disappointing freshman season and certainly will not solve the shooting woes.

The Friars are a potential NCAA Tournament team so beating them on neutral court would certainly qualify as a Quadrant 1 victory. South Carolina would probably be a Quadrant 2 victory.

Home/Michigan Wolverines