Michigan basketball hosts Wisconsin with chip on shoulder: prediction

Michigan basketball is still undefeated as it returns to Ann Arbor, but feeling far less invulnerable than a week prior.

The Wolverines weathered their first scare in nearly two months – beating lowly Penn State, 74-72, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, thanks to a pair of stops in the final minute.

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Road games in the Big Ten are often more “survive and advance” than “shock and awe.” That’s true even for Michigan, which had inspired plenty of awe in winning its previous 10 games by more than 35 points per game.

Michigan guard Nimari Burnett (4) tries to save the ball from going out of bound against Wisconsin during the first half of Big Ten Tournament championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

“Thought we stayed poised,” coach Dusty May told Brian Boesch of WWJ-AM (950) after Tuesday’s win. “On a night when things didn’t go very well for us, we still found a way to learn and be in the win column. … It’s another reminder and an opportunity for growth.”

Now, No. 1 Michigan (14-0, 4-0 Big Ten) will looks to get back to form as it hosts Wisconsin (10-5, 2-2) on Saturday (1 p.m., CBS). The Badgers picked up an 80-72 victory at home Wednesday against UCLA, but Greg Gard’s team has struggled in its two true road tests this season – a 98-70 loss at BYU and a 90-60 loss at undefeated Nebraska.

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Worse yet, for Wisconsin, it’s 0-5 in Quad I matchups – and facing Michigan at Crisler Center is pretty much the top of the Quad I box.

The Badgers are led by Nick Boyd, who’s averaging 19.5 points per game on 48.3% shooting, but if there’s any team in the league that should know how to stop him, it’s May’s squad, as Boyd played for May at Florida Atlantic from 2020-24.

“Oh, man. I love Nick Boyd. That’s my guy,” May told reporters at Big Ten media days in October. “He’s a competitor, he’s someone that brings out the best in people and he loves the game and has a will to win that really fit our staff. He’s one of the big…

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Publish date : 2026-01-10 10:04:00

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