Presbyterian @ Michigan preview
Crisler Center
No. 15 Michigan looks to recover from its roughest stretch of the season when it hosts Presbyterian on Saturday. The Wolverines, who were unranked to begin the 2019-20 campaign, vaulted into the Top 5 after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis, but have dropped three of their last four games, including setbacks to fifth-ranked Louisville and No. 10 Oregon on Dec. 14, to tumble down the national rankings.
"When you lose two in a row it's going to sting because we're human," Michigan coach Juwan Howard told reporters. "All the guys in our locker room are hurt right now and so am I.” Michigan saw its non-conference home winning streak end at 23 games following the 71-70 overtime loss to the Ducks, and hope to avoid losing three straight contests for the first time in over five years. The Wolverines have beaten 32 straight unranked opponents in Ann Arbor, including 24 by double digits. Presbyterian has dropped three straight games following an 81-58 loss to Jacksonville on Wednesday, and hopes to kick start a sputtering campaign by knocking off a ranked opponent on the road for the first time since Nov. 19, 2011.
TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network
ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN (2-9): Chris Martin matched his career high with 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field against Jacksonville to finish in double figures for the fourth consecutive game. Cory Hightower added 11 points against the Dolphins to move within 25 of reaching 500 for his career while Michael Isler scored six and grabbed a team-high four rebounds. JC Younger made a pair of 3-pointers to move into second place on the program's all-time list with 207 and needs eight more to take top spot.
ABOUT MICHIGAN (8-3): Franz Wagner knocked down four 3-pointers en route to matching his career high with 21 points while David DeJulius added 14 points in the loss to Oregon. Isaiah Livers scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds while Zavier Simpson produced eight points and a game-high 11 assists, but missed a potential game-winning hook shot in the final seconds in overtime. Brandon Johns continued his solid play of late after finishing with eight points and nine rebounds and Jon Teske was held to a season-low four points, but recorded the 500th rebound of his career.
TIP-INS
1. Livers is ranked ninth nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (50).
2. Simpson has dished out 10 or more assists in four games this season.
3. Presbyterian is 1-14 against ranked opponents.
PREDICTION: Michigan 87, Presbyterian 61