ESPN.com preview of today's game involving SLU:
12:10 p.m., CBS
How Michigan can advance to the Sweet 16: The Wolverines can advance if they use their size on offense and subdue a unique Saint Louis offense. Michigan had early struggles as Kenny Blakeney's Howard team focused on
Yaxel Lendeborg (nine points) and used a zone to keep the Wolverines out of the lane. It didn't work for the whole game because
Aday Mara and
Morez Johnson Jr. -- who had 40 points combined -- played over the top of it while continuing to score from the perimeter to seal the win. Saint Louis doesn't have the size to defend Michigan at any position. On offense, the Billikens could be forced to camp out at the 3-point line because the Wolverines won't give them a lot of room to operate in the paint. If Michigan hits its 3s, dominates inside and defends a versatile Saint Louis offense, the Wolverines should advance to the Sweet 16.
-- Myron Medcalf
How Saint Louis can advance to the Sweet 16: Saint Louis is an efficient offensive operation, shooting around 59% inside the arc and around 40% from 3. That's what the Billikens will need to get a win over a Michigan team with just three losses this season. They'll have to be good on the perimeter and around the rim as they were against Georgia with 66 points in the paint. But how? They'll have to attack Michigan's big men, especially
Aday Mara, on ball screens, which is what Duke did down the stretch of its win over Michigan this season. Saint Louis has six players who have made at least 37% of their 3-point attempts this season. The Billikens can advance if they exhaust Michigan's frontcourt with an inside-outside game that keeps the Wolverines guessing
and plays their best defense of the season to protect the rim against one of America's biggest frontcourts. Easier said than done.
-- Medcalf