NCAA Basketball Prediction: Northwestern Wildcats vs Michigan Wolverines
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
by Joe Rodriguez
After losing its first Big Ten game of the season, No. 13 Michigan Wolverines bounced back in a big way against Wisconsin, turning in its best performance yet in a 59-41 victory. The Wolverines, who will take on Northwestern on Wednesday at Crisler Center, snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Badgers and proved they are capable of playing any style.
Michigan had no trouble with Wisconsin’s methodical pace, and the Wolverines punished the Badgers defensively while holding them to a season-low in points. If Michigan plays the same kind of defense, Northwestern Wildcats could be in trouble. The Wildcats have scored 56 or less in two of their last three games. The Wildcats have won three of the last four meetings.
- Northwestern Wildcats @ Michigan Wolverines
When: 6:30 PM ET, Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Where: Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: Big Ten Network.
The Wolverines have opened as 8-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NCAA Basketball Odds.
Northwestern Wildcats (11-4): Northwestern is coming off a 57-56 loss to Illinois and must now prepare to play three of its next four on the road. The Wildcats are 4-2 this year away from home. Two of their upcoming opponents, including Michigan, are ranked in the top 25. The Wildcats led the Illini by five at the half but then fell apart before ultimately losing on a late free throw. Northwestern has dropped three of four after a 10-1 start, and will need to generate offense outside of John Shurna and Drew Crawford, who average 18 and 17 points, respectively. Shurna is the Big Ten’s leading scorer, and Crawford is third.
Michigan Wolverines (13-3): Three Michigan players combined to score 43 of the team’s 59 points in the win against the Badgers, including Tim Hardaway Jr., who finished with a game-high 17 points. Freshman guard Trey Burke had 14 and Zack Novak added 12 for the Wolverines, who improved to 10-0 at Crisler Center. Michigan’s defense has been dominant of late, holding five of its last seven opponents to 57 points or less. The Badgers never found their rhythm against the Wolverines’ man-to-man or zone schemes, and shot just 31.9 percent from the field.
1. Northwestern makes a Big Ten-best nine 3-pointers per game.
2. A win over the Wildcats would give Michigan coach John Beilein his best start since taking over at Michigan.
3. Hardaway has scored 10 or more points in the second half nine times this season.
NCAA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Michigan 71 and Northwestern 60
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crisler arena - drew crawford - john beilein - john shurna - michigan wolverines - northwestern wildcats - tim hardaway jr - trey burke - zack novak
