After two consecutive wins against San Diego State and Auburn, Michigan will now face Gonzaga at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. On the other hand, Gonzaga is coming off a win against Maryland for this matchup. Michigan and Gonzaga are ranked seventh and 11th in the AP Poll, and both aspire to make it to the Final Four this season. Both teams have a skilled frontcourt lineup that perfectly matches each other for this showdown.
So, how are Michigan and Gonzaga going to show up for this upcoming showdown? Let’s find out.
Michigan vs. Gonzaga Predictions
The Michigan Wolverines have some great stats to make their case seem solid ahead of the matchup. Michigan ranks 17th-best in two-point shooting percentage, shooting 63% from the field. Defensively, the Wolverines are ranked third, allowing just 35.2% on two-point field goals.
Michigan has been dominant at the rim, with Aday Mara and Morez Johnson anchoring strong paint defense and rebounding. Gonzaga counters with Graham Ike and Braden Huff, who combine for 33 points per game and are highly effective inside, helping the Bulldogs shoot 62.3% from the field while allowing just 44.3% defensively. The question is whether that holds against a Michigan side that recently bullied opponents, holding Auburn to 33% from the field and grabbing 40% of its own misses.
Michigan is playing at a top level, but Gonzaga presents its toughest test yet. That’s exactly the kind of challenge Dusty May sought when he scheduled games like Duke. May understands Michigan’s potential, and the Wolverines need matchups like this to prepare for March Madness. Gonzaga fits that bill, but if Yaxel Lendeborg replicates his performance from the first two games, he becomes the X-factor that could tilt the game in Michigan’s favor.
ESPN’s matchup predictor estimates a 68.9% chance for Gonzaga to clinch this game.
Michigan vs Gonzaga Lineups
Michigan Lineup
PG: Elliot Cadeau
SG: Nimari Burnett
SF: Roddy Gayle
PF: Yaxel Lendeborg
C: Aday Mara
Gonzaga Lineup
PG: Mario Saint-Supery
SG: Adam Miller
SF: Tyon Grant-Foster
PF: Braden Huff
C: Graham Ike
Injuries
There are no reported injuries for the Michigan Wolverines, aside from guard Ricky Liburd, who will be out for the season. Liburd has redshirted for Michigan, which is the reason behind his unavailability for this game.
There are no particular injury reports for Gonzaga either. Guard Mario Saint-Supery had an injury scare following an ankle injury in an exhibition game this year. However, he was ultimately named to the EuroBasket final roster and is not expected to have a lingering issue.
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