Caneman786 wrote:Tonight on ESPN, at 6:30 PM Eastern Time will be the marquee matchup of college basketball's regular season.
The #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines will visit the #3 ranked Duke Blue Devils.
Michigan is 25-1 on the season and leads the Big Ten in conference play, having gone 15-1.
Duke is 24-2 on the season and leads the ACC in conference play as well, having gone 13-1.
In tonight's matchup, high draft picks abound will take the floor. Here's a summary with ESPN Analytics'
Aggregate Draft Rankings:
DUKE#2 PROSPECT - 6' 9", 250 lbs. - Freshman Forward CAMERON BOOZER
#18 PROSPECT - 6' 11", 250 lbs. - Sophomore Center PATRICK NGONGBA II
#34 PROSPECT - 6' 6", 180 lbs. - Sophomore Guard / Forward ISAIAH EVANS
#49 PROSPECT - 6' 8", 190 lbs. - Freshman Guard / Forward DAME SARR
#89 PROSPECT - 6' 4", 205 lbs. - Freshman Guard CAYDEN BOOZER
#91 PROSPECT - 6' 9", 225 lbs. - Senior Forward MALIQ BROWN
#155 PROSPECT - 6' 8", 215 lbs. - Freshman Guard / Forward NIKOLAS KHAMENIA
MICHIGAN#8 PROSPECT - 6' 9", 240 lbs. - Senior Forward YAXEL LENDEBORG
#24 PROSPECT - 6' 9", 250 lbs. - Sophomore Forward MOREZ JOHNSON JR.
#30 PROSPECT - 7' 3", 255 lbs. - Junior Center ADAY MARA
#137 PROSPECT - 6' 8", 190 lbs. - Freshman Guard TREY MCKENNEY
Of interest here is the matchup between forwards Cameron Boozer and Yaxel Lendeborg. Statistically, they have been the two top players of college basketball:
On College Basketball Reference's BPM, Boozer is #1 with +19.4 (OBPM +13.1, DBPM +6.3) and Lendeborg is #2 with +16.6 (OBPM +9.2, DBPM +7.4).
On Bart Torvik's BPM, Boozer is #1 with +17.9 and Lendeborg is #2 with +15.1.
On Evan Miya's BPR, Boozer is #1 with +13.71 (OBPR +8.99, DBPR +4.72) and Lendeborg is #2 with +13.07 (OBPR +7.62, DBPR +5.46).
On Hoop-Explorer's Luck-adjusted RAPM, Boozer is #1 with +15.1 (Offensive +10.3, Defensive +4.8) and Lendeborg is #2 with +14.7 (Offensive +9.1, Defensive +5.6).
Tonight's matchup may have some implications for the NPOY race, especially if Yaxel has a statement game.