After holding on to defeat Ohio State in Ann Arbor Saturday night, the No. 11 Michigan Wolverines head to Northwestern just one game behind the Michigan State Spartans for first place in the Big 10. The Wolverines and the Buckeyes are tied for second place in the Big 10 at 10-4, having split the season series.
Northwestern, meanwhile, is 16-10, 6-8 in Big 10 play and in desperate need of a marquee win to bolster their at-large tournament resume. The Wildcats are currently listed among the last four teams in the bracket, according the ESPN resident doctor of Bracketology, Joe Lunardi.
Michigan will have its hands full with John Shurna, the new all-time leading scorer in Northwestern history. In the previous meeting this season between the two teams, Michigan won 66-64 in overtime. Freshman guard Trey Burke scored the final eight points for Michigan in the overtime period. Burke is riding a wave of confidence coming into the game, having led Michigan with 17 points and five assists in its win over Ohio State.
For more on the Michigan Wolverines, check out Maize n Brew. For more on the Wildcats, head over to Northwestern blog Sippin' On Purple. And for more from around college hoops, visit SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.