Game 5: Tarleton State at Michigan Preview

Michigan hosts Tarleton State (8:30 p.m., BTN) tonight in its final tune-up before a stretch of six straight high-major opponents. The Texans are the worst team on Michigan’s schedule—300th on KenPom without a Division I win and coming off a 63-point loss at Baylor—but they can also be a frustrating program to play against, given their unique style.

Billy Gillispie has built a solid program at Tarleton State, and the program is coming off the best season in program history with one caveat: he didn’t coach the team last year. Gillispie was on medical leave the entire season, and the Texans finished 23-8 and 2nd in the WAC. In his place, Joseph Jones earned WAC Coach of the Year honors.

Jones left for an assistant coach job at UTSA, and Gillispie is back now, but nearly the entire roster has left for the portal or graduated. As impressive as last year’s 129th KenPmo finish was, this isn’t the same roster or coach.

The new roster stands out for its lack of Division I experience and size. Tarleton State ranks 362nd in D1 experience (.25 years), 338th in minutes continuity (5.6%), and 351st in average height.