No. 24 Michigan Men’s Basketball (16-5) will put its undefeated (10-0) home record to the test against the previously No. 16 team in the country when they face the Oregon Ducks (16-6) at Crisler Center this week, Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m. Michigan is new to the top 25 this week. Oregon has dropped from the ranks after losing three straight.

If you’re unable to join the capacity crowd of 12,000 students, alumni and other fanatics, you can watch the nationally televised game on FOX Sports. 

Michigan is coming off a solid 66-63 road win against Rutgers (11-11), where its defense kept freshman phenom and Big Ten scoring leader Ace Bailey (20.2 points per game) to just 10 points. The Scarlet Knights were held 13 points below their season average of 76.0 points per game, which ranks 13th in the Big Ten Conference. 

Oregon’s offense is statistically on par with Rutgers, averaging 76.4 points per game on the season, 12th in the Big Ten, but does not have a nationally leading scorer. The Ducks’ scoring leaders are senior center Nate Bittle (12.5 points per game) and sophomore guard Jackson Shelstad (12.3 points per game), ranking 37th and 40th in the Big Ten, respectively. 

The Wolverines have the fourth best offense in the Big Ten, averaging 82.3 points per game. The team’s top two scorers are senior center Vladislav Goldin (15.6 points per game, tied for 14th in Big Ten) and junior guard Tre Donaldson (12.8 points per game, 33rd in Big Ten). 

On defense, the Wolverines and Ducks are comparable. Oregon has the ninth worst defense among the Big Ten’s 18 teams, giving up 71.0 points per game to opponents. Michigan has the seventh best defense in the Big Ten, giving up 70.3 points per game to opponents. 

The Ducks haul in 35.5 rebounds per game, ninth in the conference. Michigan is better, bringing in 38.2 rebounds per game, third in the conference. 

Oregon dishes 14.8 assists per game, 12th in the conference. Michigan is better, sharing the ball at 17.9 assists per game, third in the conference. 

Where Oregon has a chance to steal this game is turnovers. The Ducks give the ball to the other team 11.6 times per game, eighth worst in the Big Ten, but significantly better than Michigan. The Wolverines are the worst team in the conference, turning over the ball 14.8 times per game. 

Momentum is on the side of the Wolverines, however. 

Oregon has lost the previously mentioned three in a row and four of its last five. Michigan has won two in a row and eight of its last 10. 

With a win, the Wolverines will push their home record to 11-0, notch their second win against a ranked team, potentially rise in the top 25 ranks and set up showdowns with other ranked teams.

Michigan is positioned to become a top team in the country, but it will have to earn it. There are no easy games in Big Ten play. 

Over its final 10 games, Michigan will play #7 Purdue, #9 Michigan State (twice), #23 Illinois and #18 Maryland. Unranked teams include Oregon, Indiana, Ohio State, Nebraska and Rutgers. 

The Wolverines are also in contention to win the Big Ten regular season title. They have an 8-2 conference record, within reach of top seeded Michigan State (18-3 overall, 9-1 Big Ten) and Purdue (17-5, 9-2). 

Prediction: 

Both teams are motivated, but Michigan is statistically the better team. Look for the Wolverines to feed off a pumped up home crowd and score in bunches, taking advantage of its size. 

Michigan’s Goldin is 7’1” and 250 lbs. Donaldson is 6’3” and 195 lbs. Oregon’s Bittle is 7’0” and 220 lbs. Shelstad is 6’0” and 170 lbs. 

If they take care of the ball, Michigan should build a lead in the first half and pull away. 

Betting odds have not been released, but Sportswire by USA Today predicts a Michigan win, 79-71. 

I agree this will be a home win for Michigan, and I see the margin of victory exceeding 10 points, again, if the Wolverines take care of the ball. 

Michigan 81 

Oregon 70