Texas A&M Basketball: 5 reasons Aggies can upset Michigan in Sweet 16
By Jeff Shull
1. Rebounding
Maybe the biggest advantage the Aggies will have on Thursday evening will be on the glass. A&M ranks third in the nation at 41.7 and Michigan is only 277th at 33.5 total rebounds per game. A&M’s size on the front line will be evident in this game, as they boast three players 6-foot-9 or taller in their starting lineup to Michigan’s one.
A&M is also 31st in the nation with 12.4 offensive rebounds per game, meaning they can get second chance points if their outside shot isn’t falling. That could very well be the case even if it hasn’t been so far in the tournament (shooting 16-for-40 from three point land).
Robert Williams is the catalyst here. He is averaging 13.5 rebounds per game through the first two games in the tournament and will likely have Michigan guard/wing Duncan Robinson on him while the Aggies are attacking. He has two inches and a ton of leaping ability on Robinson, so he should be able to cash in some second chance buckets.
One of Williams or Tyler Davis will be guarding Robinson on the other end as well, which should allow them to gather up the defensive boards and limit Michigan’s second chance opportunities.