Michigan Basketball: 10 Telltale Games on the Wolverines' Schedule in 2011-12

Even with NBA-bound Darius Morris gone from last year’s talented roster, the Michigan Wolverines have plenty to be excited about as the 2011-12 season commences. The return of high-scoring stars like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Zack Novak has Michigan ranked at No. 18 and looking like one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous teams.

The first big test they’ll face is less than a week away, as they take on No. 9 Memphis in the Maui Invitational. A win over the fleet-footed Tigers would set Michigan up as a contender on a national scale.

Herein, a further look at that Nov. 21 showdown as well as nine more games that will define the season for the Maize and Blue.

10. Jan. 5 at Indiana

The Wolverines head to Assembly Hall for their first Big Ten road game of the season. By rights, this should be a fairly easy win for Michigan against a middling Hoosiers squad. But that also makes it a dangerous game to look past.

Indiana’s frontcourt of Christian Watford (a junior who averaged 16 points and 5.4 rebounds last year) and 6’11” freshman Cody Zeller (brother of North Carolina star Tyler) poses a significant threat.

Jon Horford and Evan Smotrycz will need to be ready to play on defense or risk a bad upset early in the conference schedule.

9. Jan. 29 at Ohio State

The opening of Michigan’s home-and-home with archrival Ohio State comes at the tail end of a three-game road trip.

The Buckeyes, led by Wooden Award favorite Jared Sullinger, will be the class of the Big Ten again this season after winning the regular-season and tournament titles in 2010-11.

It’s probably too much to expect Michigan to win in Columbus (where they fell 62-53 last year), but another good showing would be a real confidence builder.

If the Wolverines hope to keep Sullinger from completely dominating on his home floor, it will take one of their best defensive performances of the season. 

8. Jan. 24 at Purdue

Even with shot-blocker JaJuan Johnson gone, Purdue is a safe bet to be one of the top defensive teams in the Big Ten. A healthy Robbie Hummel will provide muscle inside while quick-handed Lewis Jackson pressures the Wolverine ball-handlers outside.

The Boilermakers don’t have enough pure scorers to trade baskets with Michigan, and if the Wolverines are going to stay in the Top 25, this is the kind of game they have to win in conference play.

Look for Tim Hardaway Jr. to step up against the undersized Boilermakers guards here.

7. Dec. 3 at Iowa State

The Wolverines and their fans may notice a few familiar faces in this matchup, as Big Ten transfers Chris Allen (Michigan State) and Royce White (Minnesota) are key additions to coach Fred Hoiberg’s Cyclones this season.

Iowa State has plenty of talent, but whether it will have come together by this point in the pre-conference schedule is anybody’s guess.

This will be Michigan’s first chance to face an opponent who might actually beat them in a true road game. If the Wolverines struggle here, it will be a real wake-up call that they’re not ready for Big Ten play.

6. Feb. 5 at Michigan State

Even for strong Michigan teams, the road end of their home-and-home with the Spartans is often too tough a challenge to meet. This year, with the Wolverines up and Tom Izzo’s team down, it becomes an absolute must-win.

Draymond Green and the Spartans have heart—not to mention more offensive rebounding than they showed last season—but not the scoring punch to hang with Michigan’s offense.

The Wolverine frontcourt will be tested on the glass, but this is a game the Maize and Blue can’t afford to let slip away.

5. Jan. 1 vs. Minnesota

Michigan’s second league game presents its first big test of the Big Ten schedule. Minnesota, led by returning Big Ten rebounding champ Trevor Mbakwe, has one of the toughest frontcourts in the conference.

Containing Mbakwe will be a tall task for the Michigan post players, but the Gophers have even fewer answers for Stu Douglass and Tim Hardaway Jr. Look for Michigan to pull away behind fast-break points and jump shooting for an early statement win.

4. Jan. 21 at Arkansas

An oddly-timed southern road trip in the middle of the Big Ten schedule sends the Wolverines to Fayetteville. New Arkansas coach Mike Anderson’s press-and-fast-break approach will be a huge culture shock after three weeks of grinding Big Ten games.

This matchup is the opener of a huge three-game road trip, and Michigan badly needs a win to set the tone.

They bring a much better offense than Arkansas can match, but as Anderson’s Missouri squad showed last year, a high-energy team on its home floor can be very tough to beat.

3. Nov. 21 vs. Memphis

Michigan gets its big chance for a signature non-conference win in this Maui Invitational meeting. The ninth-ranked Tigers boast a fast, physical lineup that will keep the pressure on Michigan’s guards for 40 minutes.

Memphis’ backcourt tandem of Chris Crawford and Will Barton will run Michigan into the ground given half a chance.

The odds are against a Wolverine victory in this one, but if Michigan does come out on top, it would be a tremendously positive sign for the season to come.

2. Jan. 8 vs. Wisconsin

If Michigan wants to take the leap from ranked team to serious contender, this is the kind of game they’ll need to win. Wisconsin has one of the nation’s best defenses and an All-American-caliber point guard in Jordan Taylor, but Michigan will be playing on its home floor.

In a battle of precision offense versus punishing defense, Michigan must get its shooters into a rhythm while keeping the Badgers off the glass. Look for Zack Novak to use his length to good advantage in what will be a hard-fought matchup.

1. Feb. 18 vs. Ohio State

There’s no win that means more to the Maize and Blue than beating Ohio State, and the team’s best chance to make that happen comes with this meeting in Ann Arbor. Buckeye guards Aaron Craft and William Buford will have their hands full with the Michigan backcourt here.

Jared Sullinger will still (as usual) be the best player on the floor, and Michigan will have to play a nearly perfect game to escape with the win. If they can do it, though, it will be the pinnacle of the Wolverines’ season.