Massachusetts Lowell @ Michigan preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 8, 2013 ) Massachusetts Lowell 42, Michigan 69

No. 15 Michigan looks to continue its winning ways at home when it closes out the non-conference portion of its schedule against UMass Lowell on Sunday. The Wolverines bounced back from two straight losses, including a 71-70 overtime setback to seventh-ranked Oregon on Dec. 14, with an 86-44 win over Presbyterian a week later, and hope to reach 10 victories before New Year's Day for the fifth consecutive season.

Michigan has won 30 of its last 31 non-conference home games, with four of its five victories this season coming by double digits, but the Wolverines will be without its leading scorer Isaiah Livers (13.6 points per game), who is out indefinitely with a groin injury. "When you know you're going to miss time but don't know how long, it can be pretty frustrating," Michigan coach Juwan Howard told reporters. "We're going to keep forging ahead and hopefully hold down the fort until he returns." The Wolverines will face UMass Lowell for the second time in program history following a 69-42 win on Nov. 8, 2013, and hope to focus solely on the River Hawks with a showdown with No. 16 Michigan State on deck. UMass Lowell has dropped two straight games following a 93-81 loss to Loyola Maryland, and it hopes to bounce back in a big way by knocking off a Big Ten opponent for the first time in program history.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT UMASS LOWELL (6-8): Christian Lutete scored a team-high 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field against Loyola to finish in double figures for the 10th time in his last 11 games. Obadiah Noel added 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals while Ron Mitchell registered 13 points and six assists against the Greyhounds. "We gave up far too many points," UMass Lowell head coach Pat Duquette told reporters. "Defensively it wasn't one of our best efforts, but I love Loyola's offense as they do a great job moving the basketball."

ABOUT MICHIGAN (9-3): Eli Brooks scored a game-high 16 points in the win against Presbyterian after being held to two points in the loss to Oregon. Jon Teske added 15 points and seven rebounds against the Blue Hose to become the 45th player in program history to grab 500 boards while David DeJulius tallied 12 points. Brandon Johns, who is averaging 4.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, is expected to return to the lineup after missing the previous game with an illness.

TIP-INS

1. Michigan PG Zavier Simpson is ranked second nationally in assists per game (8.8).

2. The Wolverines have shot over 50 percent from the floor in seven games this season.

3. UMass Lowell has dropped seven consecutive games against Big Ten opponents.

PREDICTION: Michigan 86, UMass Lowell 62