LSU faces stiff test from top-seed Michigan due to their length and toughness

LSU-Michigan is a prime time affair with a berth in the Sweet 16 at stake. The Tigers and Wolverines tip it off at Lucas Oil Stadium arena 6:10 central time Monday evening on CBS. It promises to be a very physical matchup.

Although Michigan is the No. 1 seed in the East Regional game, the No. 8 seed Tigers could hold an advantage in overall quickness and athleticism. However, the Big Ten power is long, physical and skilled.

Some interesting notes about the Wolverines all-time include their six NCAA runnerup finishes and eight Final Four appearances. Michigan cut the nets down as National Champions in 1989. They are no strangers to the bright lights on the basketball court but this is only the third time they’ve been a No. 1 seed.

Head coach Juwan Howard was a member of Michigan’s Fab 5 as a center. Is in his second season at the helm, he has recorded the most victories at Michigan in the first two seasons of a regime (25 wins). He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year.

In their last six contests to this point, they are just 3-3, having beaten Texas Southern 82-66 in the NCAA first round. Notable games include a 79-57 win over Iowa and 67-59 victory over Wisconsin. Michigan dropped a close one, 68-67, to Ohio State March 13th and lost in early March to Illinois, 76-53.

Michigan boasts one of the most physically imposing lineups in college basketball. They go eight deep but are without the services of their leader, senior Isaiah Livers, due to a stress fracture against Maryland on New Years Eve. The 6-7 Livers was the squad’s top shooter, a team captain and a vocal leader. There’s an outside chance he returns if the Wolverines continue to play beyond Monday.

Freshman center Hunter Dickinson will present challenges for the Tigers in the paint. The 7-foot-1 Dickinson averages team highs with 14.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Named Big Ten freshman of the Year, he had five rejections against Wisconsin and four versus Toledo. He is successful in 59.6% of his shots from the field.

Difficult to keep away from the rim, Dickinson can occupy space and read the game well. He fouled out in opening round against Texas Southern with 16 points (6-of-7 shooting) in 24 minutes. LSU must take the game to him and the rim.

Big guard Franz Wagner (6-9, 220) has 49 starts under his belt. Second on the team in blocks (23), he is athletic enough to play three different positions. Crafty and strong to the bucket, Wagner adds value as a long range shooter. He averages 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, hitting 50.2% from field.

Senior point guard Mike Smith (5-11, 185), a grad transfer from Columbia University, is a good passer who averages 9.5 points and 5.4 assists per outing. With 22 starts at Michigan this season and 113 career starts, Smith has lots of experience. He shoots 43.9% from three-point range.

Eli Brooks (6-1, 185), another senior, averages 9.2 points and 2.9 assists. He’s another skilled shooter with a high basketball IQ but he brings the most value as an elite defender and team captain. Interestingly, he sports a tattoo of Buddha on his arm. It helps explain his calm and focused on-court demeanor.

Chaundre Brown (6-5,215, Sr.) plays 20 minutes per game and averages 7.4 points with 2.9 boards. Another defensive stopper, he knocks down 46.7% of his shots. The transfer from Wake Forest, he has become the Wolverines’ sixth man after 74 career starts with the Demon Deacons.

Austin Davis (6-10, 250, Sr.) chips in 5.6 points each game in 11 minutes per outing. One of three tri-captains, his wide body provides a good screener. Davis is a very unselfish player and capable rebounder as a ‘Maize and Blue’ collar worker.

Brandon Johns (6-8, 240, Jr.) has gained increased playing time with absence of Livers. Scoring 4.4 points per game, he can knock down mid range shots. Johns is a winning player, providing outstanding defensive effort with a very scrappy style. He will give you a good 10 minutes each game.

Terrence Williams, (6-7, 240), another role player whose playing time has expanded in the wake of Livers’ injury, is a hybrid forward with good post moves. The freshman is physically tough. Averaging 7.2 minutes, he has made 17 appearances, mostly off the bench.

Howard has a team that is both skilled and tough with enough length to match up with any foe. If LSU is to pull the upset, they must hold their own in the paint and on the glass.

If sharp-shooting Cam Thomas and the versatile Trendon Watford play to their capabilities, LSU can beat anyone. They may have to be at their best for the Tigers to stick around in Indianapolis.