This is exactly like Wisconsin last year. Michigan doesn't have to go to Illinois or Illinois. Wisconsin had the easiest conference schedule of the any of the top teams last year. This year they have the same players, a normal schedule, and they've got 7 losses
Michigan this year is very different than Wisconsin last year.
While Wisconsin had the easiest path in conference play, which helped them secure a 3-way tie for the B1G championship, they still had 6 losses in conference. They had 10 losses overall. They finished the year ranked 22 in KenPom with an adjust efficiency of +18.95.
Michigan on the other hand has just 1 loss so far this season. They’re 5-1 in Quad 1 games. They just won on the road at KenPom #6, who beat us at home earlier this year. They’re currently ranked #3 in KenPom with an adjusted efficiency of +30.50.
Michigan is a very good basketball team. Their schedule hasn’t been quite as difficult as ours so far, but they’ve proven to be the real deal.
We’re going to have a tough time coming out of Ann Arbor with a win.