VA
  • TGT on YouTube
  • About TGT
  • The TGT Team
  • How TGT rates
  • Responsible Gambling Advice
  • Contact Our Team
  • Writers Wanted
  • Content Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Contains commercial content
Billboard Left
Billboard Left
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Game Preview: Can the Hoosiers Knock Off the Wolverines?

Game Preview: Can the Hoosiers Knock Off the Wolverines?

Two Big Ten heavy hitters slug it out
Publish Date: 01/05/2019
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis
Source: Yahoo Sports

When: 4:30 PM ET Sunday, January 6th

Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan

How to watch: CBS

The #21-rated Indiana Hoosiers (12-2, 3-0) will travel to Ann Arbor on Sunday as they seek to upset the #2-ranked Michigan Wolverines (14-0, 3-0) in their toughest test of the Big Ten season so far. The match-up will be the beginning of a tough stretch of games for the Hoosiers, as they play three of their next four contests on the road. This should be a good gauge for Indiana, who are trying to show they can play with the top teams in the country, and that the disappointing performance against Duke earlier in the season was a fluke rather than the norm.

Michigan boasts a three-headed monster for their team, relying heavily on Ignas Brazdeikis, Charles Matthews, and Jordan Poole to set the tone for the team. Brazdeikis has been one of the best Freshmen in the nation this season, leading Michigan in scoring at 16.4 per game as well as shooting 42.2% from behind the arc. Brazdeikis also has good size and length, standing at 6’7 and 215 pounds, and he has shown good scoring ability from everywhere on the court and should be priority number one for an Indiana defense that has been prone to letting shooters catch fire. Matthews is the second leading scorer for the Wolverines, adding 13.9 per game, though he prefers to do most of his work in the paint. He is an excellent cutter and possesses an effective mid-range game. Poole is the only other Wolverine in double figures, managing 13.8 per game, including a stunning 48.6% from the three-point line. It is imperative that the Hoosiers get out to contest his shots behind the arc and not let him get comfortable from deep. Joining those three in the starting line-up is Junior guard Zavier Simpson who is averaging 6.8 points and 6.1 assists on the season and has proven to be an excellent calming presence for the Wolverines. Big man Jon Teske rounds out the starting 5 for Michigan, contributing 7.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and excels at making the hustle plays needed to win.

The biggest task for the Hoosiers offensively will be trying to find a way to crack the vaunted defense of the Wolverines. Michigan comes into this game ranked as the #1 defense in the Big Ten and the third best nationally, holding opponents to just 55.1 points per game on the season. The Indiana offense has been very effective so far this season, leading the Big Ten and coming in at 2nd in the nation, shooting 52.9% from the field, but the Michigan defense will provide a tougher challenge than any defense they have faced so far this season. It will also be important for the Hoosiers to get out to a fast start. Indiana has an unhealthy habit of spotting early leads to teams before settling into the game, and that’s a strategy that could see this game get out of hand for Indiana. Michigan’s defense is too good to try to play from behind all game, and letting the crowd get into it early could prove disastrous for Archie Miller’s team. Indiana should be confident in their ability to fight back from deficits but spotting early points to a team as talented as Michigan may prove a fatal mistake.

Michigan will be the best team Indiana has faced since taking on Duke, and the Hoosiers will need to play their best game of the season to pull off the big upset. It is also important to note that talented Freshmen guard Rob Phinisee is expected to miss his second straight game. He is trying to work his way back from a concussion.

Following the Michigan game, Indiana will be on the road for another tough task as they travel to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins, before returning home to take on the #24-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Billboard Left
Billboard Left
Read Also
1979 Indiana Hoosiers: A Bumpy Road to Glory
NIT Champions is not something the Indiana Hoosiers ever strived to be, ...
Top 11 Big Ten Basketball Teams, since 1960
Through the years, the Big Ten Conference has been one of the ...
BetMGM Promo
Top 10 Most Disappointing Losses in Indiana Hoosiers Basketball History
The Hoosiers have a legendary program, and the memorable wins far outweigh ...
Bob Knight’s 1973-76 Indiana Hoosiers: What Might Have Been?
What if's are a huge talking point for fans of all teams, ...
The 5 Greatest Teams of Baseball’s Golden Decade the 1970’s
Baseball, to me, reached its peak in the 1970s. This to me ...
NCAA Basketball Indiana vs Michigan: Odds, Tips and Predictions 02/11/23
📅 Date: Saturday, February, 11 🕚 Game Time: 6 pm 📺 How ...
The Greatest College Basketball Team of All Time
Rating the greatest college basketball teams ever has been done many times ...
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
Sam Teets’ 2021 NBA mock draft 1.0: Cunningham goes first
The 2021 NBA Draft is less than three weeks away. Sixty young ...
Elmer Ray: The Humble Man of Hastings
"Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for ...
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now! Get your Bonus Bet now!
Top Brands
Top Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
Day 5: 2 bonus packages $25 = 30,000 LC + 30 SC, $100 = 120,000 LC + 120 SC
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Latest News
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Can’t Knock The Hustle 
Canelo Alvarez and Jermell Charlo put it all ...
Was the 1918 World Series Between the Red Sox and Cubs Fixed?
Everybody knows about the 1919 World Series and ...
Betting Tips
09/30/2023 - 11:30 am
Mohegan Sun Arena
Tip:
Sun to win from 2-0
-120.00
FanDuel
09/30/2023 - 12:00 pm
Texas Memorial Stadium
Tip:
Kansas to Cover
16.50
FanDuel
09/30/2023 - 12:00 pm
Kroger Field
Tip:
Kentucky to Cover
-1.50
FanDuel
Our Latest YouTube Videos
Video: College Football Prediction show: Notre Dame vs Duke Preview and prediction!
College Football Prediction show: Notre Dame vs Duke Preview and prediction!
Video: Cincinnati Bearcats on the Prowl: Cincinnati vs BYU Preview and Oklahoma recap
Cincinnati Bearcats on the Prowl: Cincinnati vs BYU Preview and Oklahoma recap
Video: NFL Best Betting Show: Picking all Week 4 games againt the Spread!
NFL Best Betting Show: Picking all Week 4 games againt the Spread!
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now! Get your Bonus Bet now!
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
Top Online Casinos
Top Casinos Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
Day 5: 2 bonus packages $25 = 30,000 LC + 30 SC, $100 = 120,000 LC + 120 SC
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
BetMGM
BetMGM
BetMGM Review
4.6/5
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.6/5
Caesars
Caesars
Caesars Review
4.5/5
PointsBet
PointsBet
PointsBet Review
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.5/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $1 & Get $365 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Bet $1 and Get $365in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
PointsBet
PointsBet Bonus
5 x $50Bet Credits
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Bonus
100% up to $500
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Unibet
Unibet Bonus
$100 Second Chance Bet
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
21+ and physically present in VA only. Terms & Conditions apply. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call, text or chat, VA Council on Problem Gambling on their confidential and toll free helpline at: 1-888-532-3500.
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterAuthor IconJosh SchwartzSamuel TeetsSimon Briffa
+8
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Author Icon
Christopher Carlson
Content Writer
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Author Icon
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
Author Icon
Malik Zorrok
Author
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Author Icon
Buddy Gibbs
Author
Brian Coburn
Brian Coburn
Author
Peter Bonahoom
Peter Bonahoom
Author
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into “The Grueling Truth” sports shows, “Where the legends speak”

Contact us: contact@thegruelingtruth.com

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
Close
Players accepted in the US US Flag
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Exclusive promo code: TGTSOCIAL
  • Play Plinko, Hilo, Crash and more!
  • Get Stake Cash bonuses every day!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site