When the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio St. Buckeyes meet, emotions always run high. When the two bitter rivals square off on Sunday afternoon in Columbus, even more will be on the line than usual.
No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 15 Ohio State preview: Wolverines look to remain unbeaten
With the No. 1 spot in the polls up for grabs, the Wolverines look to make a statement against their bitter rivals.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Following losses from Arizona, Duke and Wyoming the last week, Michigan is the only undefeated team left in the country. With the Wolverines ranked No. 2 in both major polls, a win would likely move them to the top spot.
Michigan is regarded as the nation’s top offensive team by Kenpom. They average about 81 points a game, shoot 41 percent from behind the three-point arc and feature four players averaging double-digits in scoring. If there is any flaw to this team, it’s that they’re a bit undersized -- just one player in their normal rotation stands taller than 6’8 -- and they go about two-deep off the bench.
Ohio State would like to do nothing more than wreck Michigan's quest for No. 1. The Buckeyes are led by forward Deshaun Thomas, who averages 20 points and nearly seven rebounds per game. Lenzelle Smith Jr. is the only other player averaging double digits for OSU, and he scores about 10 points per night.
The key matchup will be between point guards Trey Burke and Aaron Craft. Burke, who is a frontrunner for National Player of the Year, averages slightly more than 18 points and seven assists a night. Craft, a junior, is regarded as one of the top defenders in college basketball and is as crafty as they come with the ball in his hands. Look for these two to be matched up on each other all afternoon.
Start Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Odds: Ohio State is favored by two points, according to OddsShark.
See More:
