Predictions for Michigan vs. Tennessee in NCAA Tournament
· Yahoo Sports
James Hawkins, Connor Earegood, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Sunday's NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game between Michigan and Tennessee (2:15 p.m., CBS).
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Predictions for Michigan vs. Tennessee
James Hawkins: The Volunteers have a potent 1-2 punch in senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and freshman forward Nate Ament, but the one thing they do better than anyone is crash the offensive glass. Tennessee grabs a staggering 45% of its missed shots, a mark that leads the nation, per KenPom, with four players averaging roughly two offensive boards per game. Outside of that, the Volunteers don’t excel at anything else offensively. Defensively, they ranked second in the SEC during conference play, so they can present some challenges there. As long as Michigan finishes off defensive possessions and limits Tennessee’s second-chance opportunities, it should keep marching on. Pick: Michigan, 82-72
Connor Earegood: If not for Iowa, Tennessee would be the weakest team in the Elite Eight field, but at least the Hawkeyes faced a real test in Florida. The Vols rattled off wins against overmatched Miami (Ohio), a faltering Virginia and an Iowa State team without All-American Joshua Jefferson. Michigan is too much for them to squeeze past. The Wolverines are firing on all cylinders with that second-half clampdown against Alabama. Unless Elliot Cadeau has a real stinker, the Wolverines will head down to Indy for their first Final Four since 2018. Don’t worry UM fans, Donte Divincenzo can’t hurt you anymore. Pick: Michigan, 84-72
John Niyo: Joshua Jefferson’s injury for Iowa State helped pave Michigan’s path to the Final Four. Because Iowa State’s defense is a different animal than the one the Wolverines will face in Tennessee. And even though the Vols, who are in the Elite Eight for a third straight year, were always a dangerous 6-seed in this region, their strengths — specifically the way they pound the offensive glass — collide with Michigan’s own. We’ve seen how that goes for other teams this season. Pick: Michigan, 83-74
Bob Wojnowski: If good matchups are possible in the Elite Eight, this is a good one for Michigan. The Volunteers have never reached the Final Four, and grinded their way to a 6-seed with rebounding and defense. They’re first in the nation in offensive rebounds but their shooting is suspect, 175th in 3-point percentage. If the Wolverines play defense like they did the second half against Alabama, and their big guys shut down Tennessee 6-10 freshman phenom Nate Ament, they should control this. Yaxel Lendeborg is seizing his time on the big stage, and 7-3 Aday Mara should get a chance to block a bunch of shots. Michigan’s offense will be stymied at times, but has enough to win a low-scoring slugfest. Pick: Michigan, 72-63
NCAA Tournament
NO. 1 MICHIGAN VS. NO. 6 TENNESSEE
▶ What: Elite Eight NCAA Tournament game
▶ When: 2:15 p.m. Sunday
▶ Where: United Center, Chicago
▶ TV: CBS
▶ Records: Michigan 34-3, Tennessee 25-11
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Predictions for Michigan basketball vs. Tennessee in NCAA Tournament