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Posted on Thu, Nov 11, 2010 : 5:58 a.m.

5 key games this season for the Michigan basketball team

By Michael Rothstein

The Michigan basketball team's schedule isn't easy. It's dominated by a brutal Big Ten and a host of difficult non-conference games.

Five of the games take on added importance because of either their timing or the opponent. What games do you think are the most important for Michigan this season?

Nov. 26 vs. Syracuse (Legends Classic): The Orange are a Top 25 team and have a 7-foot freshman named Fab Melo. It’ll be Michigan’s first test against a good team - and the first quality big man the untested Wolverines frontcourt will have to play.

Dec. 4 vs. Harvard: Yes, the Crimson are not the Ivy League contenders they were last year - as least not without super guard Jeremy Lin - but if there is one key non-conference game on the schedule it is this. John Beilein can’t afford to lose to former Michigan coach Tommy Amaker. Again.

Jan. 2 vs. Penn State: It isn’t the first Big Ten game, but to set an early tone it might be the most important. Drawing Purdue with an odd 2 p.m. Tuesday start time in the league opener is a bad scenario for the Wolverines, but making sure they are 1-1 heading into a brutal stretch at Wisconsin and at home against Kansas and Ohio State is critical.

Jan. 27 at Michigan State: Playing against Michigan State - one of the premier programs in the country and the benchmark for basketball in the state - always gets Michigan’s players focused. Last year, MSU blew out Michigan in the regular-season finale in East Lansing.

Feb. 9 vs. Northwestern: Surprisingly, Michigan has struggled with Bill Carmody’s crew under John Beilein, despite the Wolverines at least using some of the 1-3-1 defense Carmody employs. The Wildcats swept Michigan a year ago. The Wolverines can’t let that happen again.

Comments

spartyisyourlilsister

Thu, Nov 11, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.

Yawn........whoooooo cares........

MikeB

Thu, Nov 11, 2010 : 8:59 a.m.

Actually I think the game against Oakland is key. Oakland has a lot to prove and a win against a Big 10 team is one way to do it.

trigg7

Thu, Nov 11, 2010 : 7:49 a.m.

Jan 27 against MSU. I guess if you consider bending over as "key."