On Friday, March, 18^th at approximately 9:40 P.M. the (11) Michigan Wolverines will take on the (6) Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round of the 64 team NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Notre Dame is (21-11) on the season whereas Michigan is (22-12).  “The Crowd” projects a final score of Notre Dame 73.2 – Michigan 70.9 with an over/under of 152.8.

Scoring Margin: Michigan +6.8 (68th) Notre Dame +5.1 (91st)

Points per game: Notre Dame 75.7 (116th) Michigan 74.3 (146th)

Points allowed per game: Michigan 67.5 (70th) Notre Dame 70.6 (146th)

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Notre Dame 47.1% (36th) Michigan 46.6% (50th)

Three Point Percentage: Michigan 38.4% (30th) Notre Dame 36.9% (70th)

Free Throw Percentage: Michigan 73.7% (42nd) Notre Dame 73.5% (42nd)

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Notre Dame 42.8% (135th) Michigan 44.5% (238th)

Turnovers committed per game: Notre Dame 9.7 (6th) Michigan 9.8 (7th)

Turnovers forced per game: Michigan 11.9 (242nd) Notre Dame 9.7 (339th)

Rebounds per game: Notre Dame 36 (183rd) Michigan 32 (322nd)

Assists per game: Michigan 15 (73rd) Notre Dame 13.5 (143rd)

These teams are pretty evenly matched in the major statistical categories so there is no real advantage either way.  Michigan has signature wins over three ranked teams: Maryland, Purdue, and Indiana.  Notre Dame has signature wins over three ranked teams: Louisville, North Carolina, and Duke (twice).  I would probably pick Michigan if their star Caris LeVert were healthy.  I’m picking Notre Dame in a close one.

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