3 Keys To Michigan Covering Against Florida State In Sweet 16

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Michigan, the number one seed, has skillfully maneuvered through the chaos of the initial two rounds in their NCAA Tournament journey.

It is quite an impressive accomplishment, especially when considering that we hold the highest seed average in the 64/68-team bracket era for this year’s Sweet 16. Additionally, all the other teams from the Big Ten Conference have already been eliminated.

If the Wolverines manage to surpass their most challenging March Madness opponent, fourth-seeded Florida State, here are three crucial factors that will contribute to their victory.

Preview: Oddsmakers still see Michigan as slight favorite

The East Region semifinal between Michigan and Florida State is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday. The game will be televised on CBS and will be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Throughout the entire week, the Wolverines have consistently maintained their position as the favored team. The majority of Michigan sportsbooks currently have U-M listed as a 2.5-point favorite.

The over/under for the point total is fluctuating between 143 and 144 points.

Michigan continues to be a strong contender for winning the NCAA Tournament, with odds ranging from +700 to +900. On the other hand, Florida State is slightly farther behind, with odds falling in the +1500 to +2000 range.

1. Replacing Isaiah Livers’ production

The Wolverines from Michigan entered March with great aspirations for a national title, but unfortunately, Isaiah Livers’ stress fracture has cast a shadow over their prospects.

While there hasn’t been an official ruling out of Livers for the tournament, it is still anticipated that he will remain sidelined for the next two weeks.

During the season for the Wolverines, the senior forward had an average of 13.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, which were among the top three on the team.

Michigan has witnessed a remarkable display of skill from certain players in both of their initial tournament matches, greatly contributing to the Wolverines’ triumph.

In their first-round game against Texas Southern, guard Mike Smith contributed 18 points and five assists, while forward Brandon Johns Jr. added 11 points to the team’s score.

During Monday’s victory against LSU, Eli Brooks contributed 21 points and facilitated seven assists. Meanwhile, Chaundee Brown, the guard who came off the bench, also scored 21 points.

Johns is averaging a mere 4.5 points per game this season, while Brown’s average is just 7.9. If Michigan wants to stay competitive with teams like FSU and possibly Alabama, they will heavily rely on this unexpected level of performance from them.

2. Michigan’s offense should target 75 points

Florida State has the ability to emerge victorious in a high-scoring match, considering their impressive average of 79.6 points per game. Nevertheless, in all six of FSU’s defeats this season, they have conceded 75 points or more.

Michigan’s NCAA Tournament run was exemplified by a chaotic 86-78 victory over LSU. However, the Wolverines might face difficulties relying solely on role players to exceed their usual averages.

Despite this, Michigan should adopt an aggressive offensive strategy as FSU’s scoring defense (70.1 ppg) ranks 179th nationally, and their 3-point defense (33.9%) ranks 197th.

The Wolverines have impressive defensive stats, as they only allow an average of 65.2 points per game and limit opponents to a 39% shooting accuracy from the field.

Despite their aggression, U-M must remain cautious of committing errors and preventing FSU from initiating a fast break. In the second round, the Seminoles pressured Colorado into 19 turnovers and capitalized on 17 transition points, leading to a 71-53 victory.

Michigan is among the top 50 teams with the fewest turnovers per game (11.2). The Wolverines have the ability to play at a fast pace without committing turnovers.

3. Wolverines must establish the paint

The Seminoles have displayed dominance in the paint on both ends of the court, resulting in two tournament victories for Florida State.

In a victorious match against UNC-Greensboro, FSU dominated the paint with an impressive score of 44 points, securing a final score of 64-54. Continuing their strong performance, the Seminoles then added 28 close-range points in their subsequent game against Colorado.

Under 20 minutes per game, Center Balsa Koprivica (standing at 7-foot-1) consistently contributes 9.2 points and 5.7 rebounds, showcasing the Seminoles’ formidable attack led by their aggressive guards and forwards.

Hunter Dickinson, the highly talented freshman from Michigan, will face a physical challenge and must assert his defensive dominance in the paint. Standing tall at 7-1, Dickinson showcases his prowess by averaging 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

In addition, it will be crucial for senior forward Austin Davis to contribute valuable playing time. The 6-10 forward’s abilities will be put to the test while replacing Dickinson on the court.

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