3 keys, prediction for michigan vs indiana basketball in what will be an unusual environment

Bloomington, ind. – When n ° 22 Michigan basketball Takes the assembly hall on Saturday against Indiana, it has the potential to be one of the strangest environments for a basketball match in mid-February Big Ten of recent memory.

IU coach Mike Woodson and the program announced that on Friday this season would be his last, but he will finish the year. In the meantime, May Dusty of UM is just at the top of the road, he missed his ticket allocation in a few minutes and could be on the list of coaches that Indiana continues to replace WoodsonThe whole as he made his debut in the head as a visitor to his Alma Mater.

With all this, UM is always at the heart of the continuation of the Big Ten title. Here are three keys and a prediction for the Wolverines match (17-5, 9-2 Big Ten) against the Hoosiers (14-9, 4-7 Big Ten) in Bloomington (1 p.m., CBS).

Must read: The Dusty May of Michigan basketball gets a return moment in return to Indiana

Coaching dynamic

For most of the week, the discussion of coaching around this game concerned the return of May to the house. As was repeated for a long time this year, and certainly this week, could frequent Indiana and was a student director for legendary coach Bob Knight (1996-2000), as well as a graduate assistant later.

His wife, Anna, detailed in the free press the meaning of this return for the family, although she and her husband have sworn that the goal has never left the game.

Then, the rumors of Bloomington started in the middle of the week, and Friday, Iu Brass had no choice but to tackle it.

“During a meeting with coach Woodson on Wednesday, he informed me that he wanted to resign as a head coach of our program at the end of the current season. He said he was weigning in His mind for a while and that it was an emotional and a difficult decision, “Sports Director of the UI Scott Dolson said in A declaration Friday. “It is clear for me our discussions in the past few days that his priority 1 is that attention is out of him, and rather focused on the Union of Hoosier Nation supporting our students-athletes , our coaches and, above all, the program.

“We still have a lot to play for this season while we are preparing for the match on Saturday against Michigan and the rest of the 2024-25 season, and we want to encourage Hoosier fans to rally around the program and Support in the same positive way that Hoosier Les Fans did it during the MVP All-America and Big Ten player career. “

How Indiana arrived here

It was another disappointing season for Indiana, which is in a way the theme of Woodson’s mandate.

He has a four-year record of 77-49 (36-36 Big Ten). Woodson took IU to the NCAA tournament during his first two seasons, but they won only one match, a first match against Wyoming in the 2023 tournament.

Indiana technically equalized in the second row of the Big Ten that year, but was one of the 12-8 teams in the league. The program missed March Madness last year, at 19-14 in total, then after a solid start to this year, the wheels fell.

The Hoosiers were 13-3 and 4-1 in game Big Ten after beating USC on January 8. Since then, however, IU has only been 1-6, with four consecutive defeats.

The great fifth year Oumar Ballo, by Gonzaga and Arizona, is the leader, on average a double-double (14 points and 9.9 rebounds per game) during his first season in Iu. Sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako (13.2. Points, 4.7 Fonds) has taken a step Forward and Malik reneau (12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds) continues to be effective, while Washington State Transfer Point Guard Myles Rice (11.5 points), Who Missed His Freshman Season Dealing With cancer, has been effective in time, but out of push.

Luke Goode Senior was a good transfer from Illinois, with an average of 8.8 points on 42-40-90. But the fifth year winger Trey Galloway has not progressed enough, pulling only 34.3% in 3s with too many reversals.

Michigan essentials

The last time UM came in this state, he turned the ball on a top of the season 22 times in a 27 -point defeat against Purdue. The Wolverines, which put an average of 15 gifts per game, would leave the crowd opposing a chance to embark on the game if they gave free points to the Hoosiers.

Likewise, UM should be physical. Iu has no qualified shooters, but the Hoosiers have high level talents and a lot of size to disturb. UM must ensure that it passes the Hoosiers from their place.

And wolverines will have to play through their stars. It is a sign of welcome when Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter or Roddy Gayle Jr. (who had trouble) book 15 points, but this team crosses the leader Tre Donaldson and the Bigs “Area-51”, Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf.

Indiana is n ° 55 in Kenpom, but apart from being n ° 8 in average height (at 6 feet 7), is not top 5 in a single category.

Prediction

There are two main possibilities: either the Indiana turns on itself, the locker rooms implement and UM arrives at the right time to capitalize with a victory on the road. Or, it’s a last effort when the Hoosiers gather for Woodson. As much as it is a proud state hoops and the Woodson players are motivated, this team is essentially buried this year. Um just needs thoroughly Help close the coffin door. The choice UM 74, Indiana 66.

Tony Garcia Does Michigan Wolverines Beat Writer from the Free Press Strait. Send him an email to apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on x @Realtonygarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Basketball vs Indiana: prediction for Dusty May Homecoming