NCAA Tournament: 3 reasons Noles will advance past Michigan to Elite 8

Defense

The stats I gave for Michigan against LSU? I don’t see Michigan find that type of success against the Noles.

They haven’t been operating at optimal levels offensively in the first two NCAA Tournament games, but their defense has been elite.

The length and athleticism FSU has are unlike anything Michigan has seen in the last few games. They haven’t faced a defense as good as FSU since they played Illinois weeks ago.

The Noles held a top 15 offense well below their season average from the floor and the three-point line.

As I’ve mentioned, Michigan lost their best three-point shooter in Livers and it took two Michigan players shooting well above their three-point average to beat LSU in their last outing.

Could a Michigan player get hot from three-point range against the Noles? Of course, crazier things have happened, but the chances of that happening are relatively low.

I also think the lack of depth will become a factor in their shooting as they get into the second half of the game. The Noles will apply pressure and make Michigan players expend a ton of energy which could affect their legs on those second-half shots.

FSU has forced teams to take a lot of jump shots in the NCAA Tournament, and the goal will be no different Sunday afternoon.

If they accomplish that goal, I like their chances of putting Michigan away as long as they take care of the basketball.