Michigan Basketball: 3 keys to success in rematch with Northwestern

By Adam Childs | Jan 12, 2019

EVANSTON, IL - DECEMBER 04: Vic Law #4 of the Northwestern Wildcats takes a shot in the final minute in the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on December 4, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Charles Matthews #1 of the Michigan Wolverines goes up for the dunk during the second half of action against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Michigan basketball returns home to play a Northwestern team that they beat by just two points the last time they played them. How can make it a sweep?

Matchup: Northwestern (10-6, 1-4 Big Ten) at Michigan Basketball (16-0, 5-0 Big Ten)

Date and time: Sunday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET

TV schedule: BTN

Location: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI

Michigan basketball welcomes Northwestern to Ann Arbor on Sunday as they look to make history with their first ever 17-0 start in men’s basketball. The Wolverines have started 16-0 this year for just the third time in school history but have never reached 17 straight to open a season. Dating back to last year the Wolverines have won 30 of 31 games, with their only loss coming in the national championship game against Villanova.

These two teams met in early December in Evanston where Northwestern missed a game-winning three at the buzzer. Michigan looked like they were going to run away with another game when they went up by double digits in the second half before the Wildcats battled back and actually took a three-point lead. A big three by Ignas Brazdeikis tied the game and another by Eli Brooks helped put the Wolverines in the lead. After the Wildcats tied it, Jordan Poole drove the lane for a dunk for the deciding tally. The Wildcats had a shot at the end but didn’t get a great look and it bounced off the backboard and rim for a Michigan victory.

That game is one of only two games this year where a team was within single digits of Michigan, the other being an eight-point win against Western Michigan. Northwestern was able to slow the game down and frustrate the Wolverines and held them scoreless for a big chunk in the second half when they made their run.

Michigan does have the benefit of playing at home in this game, but Northwestern comes in with the confidence that they can beat the Wolverines. So what does Michigan need to do to come out with the win and make school history? We take a look.

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