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Michigan looks to continue surprising start

Dec 31, 2008 - 1:59 PM Wisconsin (9-3) at No. 24 Michigan (10-2), 2:00 p.m. EST

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (Ticker) -- It has only taken Michigan 12 games to match its win total from all of last season.

The 24th-ranked Wolverines look to continue their fast start when they host Wisconsin in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams on Wednesday.

Michigan went 10-22 in coach John Beilein's first season, but have had a surprising turnaround in year No. 2, due in part to Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims.

Harris had 29 points and a career-high 16 rebounds as the Wolverines won their fifth straight game with a 77-57 victory over North Carolina Central on Monday.

The sophomore guard is averaging 19.8 points and 7.8 rebounds, while Sims, who had 17 in Monday's win is averaging 17.2 and 9.2.

Wisconsin, which won all three meetings last season, including a quarterfinal matchup in the Big Ten tournament, has not played since a 74-69 loss to Texas on December 23.

Trevon Hughes scored 18 points in the setback and the junior leads the team in scoring at 12.6 per game.