It’s time again for another Ohio State vs. Michigan matchup, and while it may not be as intense as on the gridiron, there’s still no love lost between these two schools. The two could be matching up in a debate about climate change and it would be followed with a ton of vitriol.
And while both teams seem to be positioned to get into the NCAA Tournament, there’s improved seeding on the line not only with the Big Dance, but when it comes to the Big Ten Tournament in about a week and a half.
Both teams sit at 9-8 in the league, and a win locks up at least a .500 record in conference play for either squad. Ohio State wants that to be in its corner, and not something with a maize and blue hue.
Here are three keys to victory for the Buckeye basketball team against the Wolverines.
Next … Grind it out
Play solid, scrappy, grinding defense
Many teams in the Big Ten have a physical DNA makeup. And frankly, that’s become Ohio State’s identity on defense here over the last three weeks when it has picked itself up off the mat. It has to continue against Michigan. The Wolverines like things to be a little more free-flowing on offense, and anything you can do to disrupt that will make more uncomfortable than a Sumo wrestler in spandex.
The Buckeye D has to get up in Zavier Simpson’s face, double down in the blocks and scramble on defense to make every shot a contested one. That should be the deal any game in the Big Ten for Ohio State, but it’s even more so in this one.
Next … It all starts with Z
Limit the effectiveness of Zavier Simpson
I know a guy or two that likes to question the role of Luther Muhammad on this team. It’s true he’s not a consistent scorer, but what he does isn’t often noticed in the box score. It’s a great weapon to have when you’ve got a defensive stopper, and that’s exactly what Muhammad is.
That’s where Michigan point guard Zavier Simpson comes in. There’s an underneath game, and guys like Isaiah Livers can score the ball in streaks, but it all starts with the guy bringing the ball up.
Simpson likes to break his man down, get around him and into the lane. That’s when things happen for the Michigan offense. He’ll take the shot if he gets in close to the hoop uncontested, but if not, he’ll distribute the ball back outside for an open look.
Maybe Chris Holtmann goes with C.J. Walker on Simpson, but my guess is we see a lot of Muhammad on him. He’s got the defensive ability to lock him down and frustrate him. If he can, and the Wolverines can’t get into their offense like they want, it’ll be a big advantage to the scarlet and gray.
Next … Limit the mistakes
Don’t turn the ball over … and over
It feels like a broken record, but Ohio State’s stretches of wins and losses have an almost direct correlation with how much it turns the ball over. Early in the year it was taking care of the ball, then it hit a January skid largely because of a slew of charitable giveaways. There’s more to it than that, but the Buckeyes have also gotten things right here recently — and yes — the turnover bug has been not cured, but on the mend.
When you have two teams with fairly equal abilities like these two, it often comes down do a possession or two. Those can be taken up on the free-throw line, in rebounds, but most especially in the turnover department. Let’s try to keep the unforced errors under ten, and it might be a victory for Ohio State.
