March Madness 2021: Why Michigan is the biggest threat to Gonzaga

Michigan Wolverines guard Franz Wagner (21) dances after their 86-78 victory against the LSU Tigers during the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
Photo of Andrew Ortenberg

Andrew Ortenberg

NCAAB

Show Bio

I'm an NFL handicapper here at Pickswise who was raised in a household full of sports fanatics. Since I unfortunately never had LeBron James' jumping ability I wasn't able to make it to the NBA, and chose writing about sports as the next best thing. An avid sports bettor myself, I'm excited to get to write about the industry as it gets set to take off across the country. Buckle up.

It was a truly wild first weekend, and now we’ve got a bit of a break from NCAA Tournament action. March Madness certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, and things will really kick into a new gear this weekend with the Sweet 16. This special tournament only happens once a year, so it’s a great time to go big and bold. With that in mind today we’re bringing you our boldest take, which is that Michigan is the biggest remaining threat to Gonzaga’s national title hopes.

We’ve got a lot of great content planned, so be sure to check out our March Madness hub to stay on top of everything that goes on. Also, be sure to check out our picks on the side and total for every single game in the tournament.

But first, let’s talk about Michigan:

They’re flying under the radar

The fact that March Madness has been such a disaster for the rest of the Big Ten may ultimately end up working in Michigan’s favor. They’re the only team left standing from the conference, and just about everybody in the national media has spent the past week declaring the Big Ten fraudulent.

It’s easier to play with low expectations, and Michigan started to get seriously disrespected to the point seemingly everyone was picking LSU to get the upset over them in the Round of 32. They aren’t feeling the weight a typical one seed might be right now, as everyone has discounted them following the injury to Isaiah Livers. Which brings us to our next point.

The Isaiah Livers loss isn’t as big as it seems

People started writing off Michigan before March Madness even began after the news about Livers’ injury broke. Sure he’s a key piece to be missing, but I think the situation has been overblown, and his absence isn’t being felt nearly as strongly as some might think. Livers is a great shooter, but Franz Wagner, Eli Brooks, Mike Smith, Chaundee Brown, and Brandon Johns all shoot at least 37 percent from downtown.

That’s every player in the rotation outside of the two bigs Hunter Dickinson and Austin Davis. In other words, they’ve got plenty of perimeter shooting still, and Dickinson can take care of things in the paint. They’ve scored at least 82 points in each of their two tournament games and just shot 54 percent from the floor against LSU, so I don’t think offense is going to be a problem without Livers. This is still an elite unit.

They can slow down Gonzaga’s offense

Gonzaga is a true juggernaut offensively, and the clear favorite to win the tournament at this point. Of the other remaining top teams like Alabama, Houston, Baylor etc., I think Michigan easily has the best chance to slow them down. I was extremely impressed with what I saw from the Wolverines defensively in the Round of 32.

They managed to beat the Tigers solidly despite the fact that LSU only turned the ball over three times all game. That’s because they played extremely stout defense in the half court, limiting LSU to just 39.1 percent shooting. LSU was top five in offensive efficiency this season according to Kenpom, so that’s no small feat.

Gonzaga is in a league of their own, but I think Michigan has the horses to knock them off their game. Dickinson’s rim protection gradually got better as the season went on, and the freshman seven-footer will be able to contain Gonzaga big Drew Timme in the post. The Wolverines have some lengthy wings who can make life difficult for Corey Kispert.

It won’t be easy, but for all the reasons above I think they’ve got the best chance to knock off Gonzaga in a potential Final Four meeting.

Pickswise is the home of March Madness Predictions. Check out all of our March Madness Picks, including daily March Madness Parlays throughout the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Virginia Bonuses

See All
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win + $25 Bonus Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet and get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Plus receive a $25 Bonus Bet after placing your qualifying wager

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, OH, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
FanDuel Sportsbook
No Sweat First Bet - Up To $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if you Lose

Sign up for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account

Make a first-time deposit of $10+, and then place your first wager on any sports market

Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets if you lose!

Must be 21+. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 14 days after receipt. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook.
DraftKings
Bet $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets instantly

Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook and make your first deposit

Make your first deposit and bet $5+ on any sports market

Get $150 in bonus bets instantly

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. $150 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com.
bet365
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets!

Register for a new bet365 account

Place qualifying bets of $1 or more

Get $200 in bonus bets - no matter if your bet wins or loses

New Customer Offer. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bonus Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. Must be physically located in VA.
WynnBet
Bet $100 & Get $100 Bet Credit

Register for a WynnBET account today.

Deposit & Wager $100 on any sports market (odds -120 or greater).

Get a $100 Bet Credit.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers
Get up to $500 Back in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Doesn't Win

Sign up for a new BetRivers account using promo code SPORTS

Make your first deposit & and bet up to $500

If your first bet loses, get up to $500 back in bonus bets

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF
Caesars Sportsbook
Your First Cash Bet Is On Caesars Up To $1,250

Sign up for a new Caesars Sportsbook account and Place your 1st wager of $10 or more

If you lose, you get 100% of your stake back as a Bet Credit - up to $1,250.

AND win or lose, you’ll also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

21+. New users and first wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bet credit $1,250; must be used within 14 days of receipt. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Unibet
Get up to $100 Back in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Doesn't Win

Register for a new Unibet account & make a deposit

Place your first bet up to $100 free!

Get $100 back in bonus bets if your wager loses

New players only. Terms & conditions apply. 21+. VA only.
DraftKings
Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus

Create a new DraftKings Sportsbook account and make your first deposit (min $5)

DraftKings will match 20% of your deposit up to $1,000 total

To get a $100 bonus, deposit $500

21+. Terms & conditions apply.
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win Your First Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet up to $1,000!

Get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, MA 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
DraftKings
Get a +1000 Odds Boost on Any Golfer to Win any Tournament

Create a New DraftKings Account

Make Your First Deposit Of $5+ Into Your Sportsbook Account

Following Sign Up, You’ll Be Issued With One (1) Single-Use +1000 Odds Surge Token For Any Golfer To Win Any Tournament

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer
Underdog Fantasy
First deposit is 100% matched up to $100 with Underdog Fantasy

Sign up for a new account with Underdog Fantasy

Make your first deposit

Every dollar (up to $100) will be matched! Deposit $25, get $50; deposit $100, get $200, etc

Must be 21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply
Owners Box
First Time Deposit Bonus Up To $500

Sign up for a new DFS account with OwnersBox

User's first deposit will be matched up to $500 in site-credit

Join one of their Daily NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL contests

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to receive deposit bonuses, participate in Contests, or win prizes offered through OwnersBox Contests. In jurisdictions, territories, and locations where the minimum age for permissible use of Contests is greater than eighteen (18) years old, you must meet the age requirement in your local jurisdiction or territory.
TVG
Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back Up to $200 if you don't win

Register for a new TVG account and make a deposit

Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200

If your horse doesn't win you'll get a refund up to $300

21+. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
TwinSpires
Get a $200 Sign-Up Bonus for The Preakness with Twinspires Racebook

Open your TwinSpires.com account using offer code BET200

$200 bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered

To earn the full $200 bonus players must wager $800 within 30 days

21+. Terms and conditions apply.