Michigan Basketball: 3 keys to non-con matchup with St. John’s Red Storm

2. Win the backcourt battle among the new guards

There’s an understanding as to what the respective frontcourts bring to the game. The question marks on both sides is how the respective backcourts are going to look. For Michigan, they brought back Dug McDaniel, who started last season and seems primed to be a breakout candidate.

The 5’11 sophomore has been impressive so far, averaging 19.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg. His backcourt mate is Nimari Burnett, a transfer from Alabama. The veteran guard only has 13 points in two games but he does have seven assists and has been a plus-defender. What’s been the biggest surprise for the Wolverines is Terrance Williams, the starting small forward who is putting up 14.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg.

St. John’s starting backcourt is a pair of mid-major transfers in Jordan Dingle and Daniss Jenkins, who combined for around 40 ppg last season at Iona and Penn respectively. Daniss, the point guard of the team, went for 17 pts, 7 rebs, and 8 asts against Stony Brook. Dingle had 13 points and there’s more of a question about whether his Ivy League scoring ability can translate to the Big East level. Even if Burnett doesn’t score much, shutting down Dingle is just as important to the Wolverines’ chances at winning.

Assuming McDaniel and Jenkins equals each other, Williams against the other “wings” for St. John’s (Nahiem Alleyne and Sean Conway) will have an impact as well. Without RJ Luis available, the Red Storm isn’t as big on the court, something Michigan can take advantage.