Michigan Basketball takes a perfect record to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis preseason tournament. What do they need to win their first game against the Iowa State Cyclones?
Michigan Basketball has had a great start to the season including a big win over Creighton in the Gavitt Tipoff Games. Besides struggling in the second half in the first game against Appalachian State they have looked very good. Isaiah Livers has shown he is ready for the big time, while Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske continue to be a steadying force for the Wolverines.
Their most complete game of the year came in their last game against Houston Baptist. They did about whatever they wanted in the first half that was about perfect as they scored 63 points and led by 37 at the break.
Livers led all scorers with 24 points including 4/5 from deep as he only missed one shot on the night. Simpson added 22 points and hit 3 three-pointers of his own and Colin Castleton came off the bench to score 14 points.
The Wolverines were a much better team than HBU but to dominate as they did was a great sign. The question will be is how do they respond to playing better competition and three games in three days.
They open up on Wednesday against Iowa State who has played well but not great this year. It should be a great game between two teams ready to get some resume-building wins in their hopes to make the NCAA tournament this year.
So what do the Wolverines need to do to get an opening-round win against the Cyclones and head towards a probable game with North Carolina? We take a look at the three keys for their game against Iowa State.