Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The No. 2 seed in the Midwest region of the 2014 NCAA Tournament, the Michigan Wolverines, have rolled to a spot in the Sweet 16 with impressive wins over the No. 7 seeded Texas Longhorns and the No. 15 seed Wofford. With the No. 1 seeded Wichita State Shockers and the No. 3 seeded Duke Blue Devils already falling, Michigan will believe that they have an easy path to the Elite Eight. Unfortunately, the Wolverines will face the hottest team in college basketball in the Sweet 16, the No. 11 seeded Tennessee Volunteers.
Tennessee crushed the 2014 NCAA Tournament’s Cinderella team in the No. 14 seeded Mercer Bears after they dominated the No. 6 seeded UMass Minutemen and escaped with a win against the No. 11 seeded Iowa Hawkeyes in the First Four. Jarnell Stokes is one of the best players in college basketball, and it is showing in their wins.
What to Watch For:
Michigan is one of the worst rebounding teams in college basketball, whereas the Volunteers are one of the best. Nik Stauskas will have to have the game of his life from range if the Wolverines are to break through Tennessee’s defense and Josh Richardson. Richardson’s defense will be key for both teams.
Prediction:
The Volunteers are getting hot at the right time. Michigan may be one of the best teams in college basketball, but they don’t have an answer for Jeronne Maymon and Stokes down low. Expect a huge game from Stauskas, but the Wolverines will fall short of the streaking Vols.
Tennessee 68, Michigan 60
Taylor Sturm is a Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
