Busting Brackets
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NCAA Tournament 2019: 5 biggest storylines entering the Sweet 16

By Brandon Simberg

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a play in the first half during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - JANUARY 6: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a play in the first half during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at John Paul Jones Arena on January 6, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Charles Matthews #1 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates the play against the Montana Grizzlies in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Charles Matthews #1 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates the play against the Montana Grizzlies in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

5. The matchup of grit

When Texas Tech and Michigan play on Thursday night, don’t expect a lot of points. The Red Raiders and Wolverines are two of the top defenses in the nation. They are number one and two in adjusted defense on Kenpom and they allow the second and third least points per game.

Michigan enters as the more balanced offensive team with all five starters averaging over nine points per game. They have floor spacing with Jordan Poole and Ignas Brazdeikis, slashers with Brazdeikis and Charles Matthews, and a deadly pick and roll duo in Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske. When all elements are clicking, Michigan is hard to stop.

But when things don’t click. Michigan looks bad. They often go through long scoring droughts. For all the balance John Beilein’s team possesses, they lack a true superstar to get them a bucket when things go bad.

Texas Tech does not have that same problem offensively. Jarrett Culver is one of the best players remaining in the tournament. The sophomore guard is averaging 22.5 points in the tournament. He has the ability to bail the Red Raiders out against this Wolverines defense. It will be a good test for Culver, going up against Charles Matthews.

For Texas Tech to win, they will need more than Culver. Matt Mooney and Davide Moretti must hit perimeter shots and Tariq Owens will have to battle with Jon Teske inside.

Next. Top players left in the Sweet 16. dark

As simple as this sounds, the team that makes more shots will win this game (shocking I know). Michigan can’t suffer one of their droughts that has plagued them this year and Texas Tech can’t rely on one player alone. While this may not be the most exciting Sweet 16 matchup, it should be one of the best.

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