The Michigan Wolverines have made a strong entry into the Big Ten title conversations, thanks to a powerful beginning to their season and varying performances from other teams in the conference. This sudden buzz, while occurring early in December and likely premature, represents a significant improvement for a Michigan team that faced difficulties the previous year.
Michigan achieved a notable upset on Tuesday in Madison, marking their most impressive victory of the season. The team is now poised to potentially start the conference season 2-0 as they prepare to face the Iowa Hawkeyes at home. The Hawkeyes, currently sitting with a 7-1 record, are ranked 50th in KenPom but have had a relatively easy schedule, with their most significant win perhaps being a buzzer-beater against Northwestern.
The upcoming game is set for Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. ET, taking place at Crisler Center in Detroit, MI, and will be broadcast on FS1.
Despite Iowa’s strong record, their performance has not impressed some observers. Their notable victories include a win over Washington State, but they suffered a loss to Utah State and barely managed to defeat Northwestern. Owen Freeman has been a standout player for Iowa, averaging 17.3 points and 7.6 rebounds, but other key contributors such as Payton Sandfort are still looking to find their consistency this season.
In the last three seasons, Michigan has faced Iowa five times, with Michigan winning only twice and losing both matchups at home. However, last year’s game in Michigan was closely contested until Iowa pulled ahead, while Michigan excelled in a later meeting in Iowa City, scoring an impressive 90 points.
A crucial question for Michigan revolves around the sustainability of their recent success against Wisconsin, where they effectively utilized the talents of Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf. Although they might not replicate their 44-point output from the bigs in every game, it’s a strategy worth pursuing until opponents can adjust. With Iowa struggling against two-point defense, Michigan is likely to emphasize their inside game again.
Defensively, Michigan has excelled at limiting opposing teams’ assists, which will be critical against Iowa’s transition-heavy offense. The Hawkeyes thrive on fast breaks and three-point shooting, so Michigan must maintain discipline in their defense to prevent open looks.
A solid start to Big Ten play could set Michigan on a confident path moving into January, as they seek to accomplish a 4-0 record through a challenging stretch of games. With their current momentum, the Wolverines are starting to find their rhythm, and fans have good reason to be optimistic about the season ahead.
This matchup promises to be an exciting contest, and as Michigan continues to improve, they could emerge as a formidable contender in the Big Ten this season.