Michigan Basketball: Wolverines Won't Make Deep Run in NCAA Tournament

Michigan has one of the most electric offenses in the nation this year, but struggles on the defensive end—combined with a disadvantage on the glass—will doom the Wolverines in the 2013 NCAA tournament.

The No. 4 seed in the South Regional ranks 27th in the country in points per game and ninth in field-goal percentage, but also ranks 132nd in opponents' field-goal percentage and 79th in rebounding rate, via TeamRankings.com. The Wolverines have also had trouble defending the three-ball, allowing opponents to shoot 33.2 percent from downtown (135th), including 39.1 percent in their last three contests.

In Michigan's last three losses, Wisconsin, Indiana and Penn State combined to go 25-of-58 from downtown (43 percent). The Wolverines were also out-rebounded by Indiana, 47-26.

Michigan has four players averaging more than 10 points this season, including the dynamic Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. The squad certainly has guys who can finish.

But it's about more than offense in the NCAA tournament. You need to be able to stop people. 

The Wolverines face South Dakota State in the round of 64. They may face VCU in the round of 32. I expect them to beat both of these teams and advance to the Sweet Sixteen. But they will likely face No. 1 seed Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen. That's where their run will end.

The Jayhawks rank first in the country in opponents' field-goal percentage. They have the ability to slow down Michigan's offense. 

Bill Self's squad also ranks 14th in field-goal percentage and 14th in rebounding rate. The Jayhawks should be able to put up points on the Wolverines and beat them on the glass.

Michigan is not only an imbalanced team, it is faced with some tough matchups in the South Regional. Burke and Hardaway can carry the Wolverines to the Sweet Sixteen, but anything beyond that is not realistic. 

Be sure to download a printable NCAA bracket and check out Bleacher Report's live bracket.

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