Michigan is looking to bounce back after last weeks embarrassing home loss to Northwestern. The rest will surely help, the team looked to have very tired legs after playing 3 games in 6 days. The last Penn State win started Michigan’s late season positive momentum and made Beilein’s squad appear to be headed the right direction. A win at Penn State is Michigan’s last chance for a series sweep against any other teams in the Big Ten, it also is a chance to move up in the conference standings. Michigan is currently in a three way tie with Penn State and Iowa with 5 wins.
Penn State recently scrapped out a big home victory against Iowa which came down to the final seconds and has proven to be a formidable team at home with wins against MSU, Iowa and Illinois. The fact remains that this is a depleted Penn State team without Claxton, not to mention a banged up Cornely. The threats in the backcourt are Pringle and Battle, both of whom scored in doubt digits last game.
Michigan won the last contest by out shooting Penn State, one of the few times that has happened all year. Michigan shot 54% to Penn States 36% (box score). Anthony Wright, DeShawn and Manny had solid games for Michigan although the turnover/assist numbers from the first meeting are a bit scary. Manny had 1 assist to 5 turnovers and the team as a whole had 11 assists and 14 turnovers.
UMHoops Prediction: Michigan 66 – Penn State 64 — The Wolverine domination of Penn State continues. Let’s hear the predictions.
Also just a tip, Tigers tickets went on sale today and were tough to get. As always try StubHub for your Tigers tickets. These coupon codes will give you $20 off as well (hat tip DTW).
WEL03081 – $20 off – Expires 4/10/2008
WEL03082 – $20 off – Expires 4/17/2008
WEL04081 – $20 off – Expires 5/15/2008
WEL04082 – $20 off – Expires 5/22/2008
