Indiana Basketball: Keys for a road upset against Michigan in 2018-19

3. Find a way to score inside

Michigan is one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to defending the paint. For the season, the Wolverines are allowing their opponents to shoot just 42.4% from inside the arc (11th best in the nation) and that is a major reason why they have been so successful to this point in the year. With that said, though, Indiana absolutely needs to find a way to score around the rim.

Thanks to the matchup nightmares that Romeo Langford and Juwan Morgan pose for most teams, the Hoosiers have the ability to potentially win the battle inside. I mean, good offense beats good defense, right? To this point in the year, Indiana is ranked third in the nation in 2-point field goal percentage (60.3%) and that will need to continue in this matchup. Additionally, if they are able to work their way to the free throw line, which is a tall task against Michigan, they need to capitalize on those attempts.

So, even though Michigan’s defense will look to force perimeter jumpers, Indiana needs to avoid settling and continue to attack the basket repeatedly. This might allow Archie Miller’s team to wear down the Wolverines’ elite defensive unit.

If Morgan or Langford gets hot, then they could easily hang around in this game and potentially close out this upset. In the end, though, I do not think that Indiana quite has the firepower to take down Michigan on the road, especially without key players. It still should be a fun game to really jumpstart the New Year.

Final Prediction: Michigan Wolverines – 74, Indiana Hoosiers – 62