Michigan Basketball: 2019-20 keys to beat Wisconsin at home

2. Simpson keeps being a leader

Zavier Simpson has been one of the best point guards in the country this year and is showing it by being second in the nation in assists per game with 8.0. He is one of the best passers in the game and he is the one that makes the Wolverines offense flow.

The offense runs the best when Simpson is working off of screens and finding the open guy. He continually finds guys for clear shots and when they are knocking down their shots it is almost impossible for teams to stop them.

The problem Michigan was running into was when Simpson would dribble too much and eventually take a shot that was contested or ill-advised. Simpson is not one of the Wolverines go-to scorers and that is ok. They don’t need him to be. They need him to be the leader on the court and find openings for his teammates.

If occasionally he gets an opening take it, but don’t force it. When he gets his points that way the Wolverines are even more dangerous. Michigan is so much better when he is the facilitator and then also the leader on defense.

When the Wolverines went through their slump, part of it was the loss of Livers, but the other was it seemed like Simpson was trying to do too much and when his shot wasn’t hitting it affected his defense also.

But when Simpson is working the offense and finding his teammates and the offense is running smoothly it seems like his whole game is that much better.

If Simpson can look to dish first and score second the Wolverines will be in good shape in this game. Take what the Badgers give you but don’t force it.