In the upcoming clash between Michigan and Duke, we're diving into a battle where both teams boast formidable strengths. Michigan's lineup is solid, with few chinks in the armor, while Duke's squad is equally resilient. The Wolverines have a tendency to turn the ball over, and Duke isn't exactly lighting it up from beyond the arc, hovering around the middle in three-point shooting.
One area where Duke might pose a challenge is in forcing turnovers. The Blue Devils have been effective, averaging 12.1 turnovers forced per game, ranking them 101st nationally, and an impressive 11.8 per game in the ACC, placing them 2nd.
Michigan, on the other hand, turns it over 12.2 times per game and forces 12 turnovers themselves. This turnover battle might just cancel itself out, especially given Duke's lack of an elite point guard.
But here's where Michigan might pull ahead: their bench strength. This could be the game-changer against Duke.
Michigan's bench depth is arguably unmatched in college basketball. Analyst Jon Rothstein even suggested that the Wolverines' bench alone could make a decent NCAA tournament run.
Trey McKenney is a standout, averaging 10 points per game and shooting a solid 37.7% from three-point land. L.J.
Cason has been heating up, with an average of 8.2 points in 19 minutes, and an impressive 12.8 points per game over his last five appearances.
McKenney has been consistent, hitting double figures in eight of his last nine games and making at least two three-pointers in seven of those contests. Add Roddy Gayle into the mix, known for his defensive prowess and versatility, along with the sharp shooting of Will Tschetter, and Michigan's bench is contributing a hefty 30.4 points per game. In contrast, Duke's bench is averaging 20.4 points.
Reflecting on their recent matchup against Purdue, Michigan's bench outscored the Boilermakers 34-15, a pivotal factor in their victory. This depth and scoring ability off the bench could very well tip the scales in Michigan's favor against Duke.