The Michigan Wolverines (19-9) will bring the regular season to a close on their home court when they face off against the Northwestern Wildcats (17-10) at Crisler Center. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Feb. 24 and will air on BTN.
The Wolverines lost to Maryland 86-82 on Sunday. Mark Donnal finished with 25 points to lead the game. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are coming off a 71-61 loss to Purdue on Tuesday. Bryant McIntosh played well for Northwestern, posting 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Over the last five games, Tre Demps has been on fire for the Wildcats. During that stretch, he has averaged 20.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 3.6 three-pointers.
Half-court execution will be at a premium as Michigan ranks 316th in the nation in possessions per game (65.9 possessions per game), while Northwestern is 334th (65.3). Moreover, foul-shooting opportunities could prove to be quite rare for the Wildcats. They are 333rd in the nation in FTA rate (29.3), while the Wolverines are among the nation’s least foul-prone teams (allowing a rate of just 26.9, ranking 18th in the country).
Notes
Ranked 21st, the Michigan Wolverines have an offensive rating of 115.6. The Northwestern Wildcats rank 125th with a defensive rating of just 101.7.
The Michigan Wolverines average 65.9 possessions and 1.156 points per possession in games this season. The Northwestern Wildcats average fewer possessions with 65.3, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.099.
The Michigan Wolverines have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking eighth in the country with an eFG% of 56.6%. When their opponents record a similar or higher eFG%, the Northwestern Wildcats are winless with a 0-2 record.
The Michigan Wolverines average 25.0 three point attempts per game, and the Northwestern Wildcats attempt 24.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Michigan is 17-9 and Northwestern is 15-9.
Michigan ranks among the best in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.55 (ranked ninth). Northwestern is ranked in the top 25 at 12th with an A/TO of 1.53.
On average, Michigan forces a turnover rate of 18.6%. When Northwestern turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 5-2 record.
