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NCAA Tournament Predictions: Midwest Region: 4. Michigan vs. 13. Ohio
- Updated: March 12, 2012
By: Kels Dayton
4 Michigan (24-9, 13-5 Big Ten)-Led by head coach John Beilein, the Wolverines have experienced a resurgence in recent years, culminating with a co-Big Ten championship this season. (The Wolverines finished tied with Ohio State, Michigan State atop the conference).
Guard Trey Burke (Zumapress/Icon SMI)
Michigan is a deep team that relies on steady guard play from freshman Trey Burke (14.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.6 apg) and sophomore Tim Hardaway Jr. (14.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.1 apg). Seniors Zach Novak and Stu Douglass provide leadership in the backcourt.
The Wolverines play a tough-to-prepare-for 1-3-1 zone, and use a lot of back cuts and Princeton-style sets on offense. Michigan has a skilled big man in Evan Smotrycz, who can step out and knock down the 3 if necessary.
This is an awful rebounding team, and doesn’t have much of a post presence. Michigan could struggle if it goes up against physical, bruising teams down low.
KEY STATS:
311th Rebounds per game (30.8)
83rd Field Goal Percentage (.456)
11th Three-Point Field Goal Percentage (.361)
Team stats courtesy www.statsheet.com.
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14 Ohio University (27-7, 11-5 Mid-American)-The Bobcats return to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year hiatus. Last time they went Dancing, Ohio stunned the nation by pummeling 3rd-seeded Georgetown en route to a shocking 97-83 victory.
Guard D.J. Cooper (Elsa/Getty Images)
That game turned Bobcats freshman point guard D.J. Cooper into a household name, if only for a day or two. Now, the 5-11 junior who looked like a young Michael Jackson has put some weight on, and his game is more mature as well. Cooper led the Bobcats with 14.6 points and 5.7 assists per game this season.
Guard Walter Offutt is a capable scorer and can be deadly from three-point range. Pick against Ohio at your own peril.
KEY STATS:
151st Rebounds per game (70.7)
57th Points Allowed per game (62.4)
51st RPI
Team stats courtesy www.statsheet.com.
PREDICTION: Michigan
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