Michigan Basketball: 3 keys for the Wolverines against Norfolk State

By Adam Childs | Nov 5, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines drives to the basket against Marques Townes #5 of the Loyola Ramblers in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 15: Ahmaad Rorie #14 of the Montana Grizzlies attempts a lay up past Jon Teske #15 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Image /

1. Lock down the Spartan offense

Michigan was one of the best defensive teams in the country last year and rode that to the National Championship game. Zavier Simpson emerged as one of the best defenders in the country and the rest of the team followed suit.

There was a commitment to defense that the Wolverines had not seen in years and it propelled them to a 14 game winning streak that ended against Villanova. Charles Matthews and Jon Teske both turned into good defenders last year and if they take that same approach this year, they will be tough again.

The Wolverines overmatch the Spartans and they need to show it on defense. This is the type of game where Michigan should smother their opponents and not even give them a shot to be in the game. It’s a perfect game for Simpson and company to just absolutely get after the other team. They contest shots better than most teams in the country and should continue to do it in this game.

It is also could be a game where the Wolverines know they should win and the defensive intensity is not as high. If they show the same defensive intensity in this game that they did to end last year, it should bode well when their schedule gets tougher.

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