Michigan vs Saint Louis: Height vs Shooting

0:00On March 20, Michigan faces St. Louis in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament midwest region, right here in Buffalo. Both teams run similar offenses, heavy on analytics, high efficiency shots, and quick transitions. They chase rim attacks and catch and shoot threes for big assist numbers. Michigan packs height with three starters, 6 foot 9 or taller, while St. Louis builds around 6 foot 10 center Rabia Villa. He's their main hub, handling the ball at the top of the key, like a skilled passer and score. Players on both sides go way back, like Michigan's Morez Johnson, who's known Avala since middle school, through Chicago area, AAU circuits. Coaches call it familiar territory, almost like facing yourself in practice. Both squads stay balanced, with Michigan boasting seven double figure scores in St. Louis ranking second nationally and three points shooting at, over 40%. Guards like St. Louis's Amari McCotry, thrived by exploiting whatever defenses give up. The big match up pits Michigan's seven foot three-a-day Mara against Villa, using

1:04length to disrupt passes and force tough shots. It shapes up as a tight battle of styles, but Michigan's depth could pull them through to the suite 16.