Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines Picks, Predictions, Odds
Big Ten college basketball betting action this Thursday night sends the No. 24 Iowa Hawkeyes on the road to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines. Game time on FS1 from Crisler Center is slated for 9 p.m. (ET).
Score Prediction
Iowa 78, Michigan 69
Best Bet
Iowa +1 (-105)
IOWA HAWKEYES vs. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES PREDICTIONS
Iowa is building some momentum for the postseason with a straight-up four-game winning streak. With Monday’s 21-point romp over Northwestern as 10-point home favorites, the Hawkeyes improved to 11-7 SU in Big Ten play. They have now won seven of their last eight games. The only loss in that run was against Michigan on Feb. 17.
While the Wolverines won that first meeting by five points as five-point road underdogs, they continue to struggle with consistent play from one game to the next. Going back to an upset against Purdue on Feb. 10, they have followed up their last four wins with a loss. Following Tuesday’s big 17-point win over rival Michigan State, Thursday’s game points to another letdown.
These two teams still matchup well. Yet, I am going with the hotter team in Thursday’s rematch. It has been difficult to trust Michigan to play to form all season long. At least Iowa brings some level of consistency into this game. I also like the revenge factor in this game with the Wolverines dominating this series in recent years.
IOWA HAWKEYES vs. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING ODDS
- Iowa +1 (-105)
- Michigan -1 (-115)
- Over 156.5 (-105)
- Under 156.5 (-115)
IOWA HAWKEYES vs. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING RESOURCES
- Matchup: Big 10
- Date: Thursday, March 3, 2022
- Venue: Crisler Center
- Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- TV-Time: FS1 - 9:00 p.m. ET
IOWA HAWKEYES BETTING ANALYSIS
Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)
- SU: 21-8
- ATS: 17-12
- O/U: 19-9-1
Other than the earlier loss to Michigan, Iowa has won all the games it was supposed to since late January. The Hawkeyes have been a solid bet against the closing number since mid-February at 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games. The total has stayed UNDER in three of their last four contests.
Forward Keegan Murray scored 26 points in Tuesday’s win and, as one of the top scorers in the nation, he is averaging 23.3 points per game on the year. He also leads the team in both rebounds (8.6) and blocked shots (2.0) a game.
Guard Jordan Bohannon scored 18 points in the final home game of his career at Iowa. He is Iowa’s second-leading scorer with 11 PPG while shooting 37.5% from the field. He has also connected on 37% of his team-high 192 shots from three-point range. The Hawkeyes have been able to average 83.7 points a game this season.
They are also averaging 37.9 rebounds with 12.2 a game on offense. Iowa is shooting 45.8% from the field and 35.2% from outside the three-point line. Defensively, the team has a points-allowed average of 70.9.
MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING ANALYSIS
Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)
- SU: 15-12
- ATS: 11-16
- O/U: 15-12
Michigan’s ability to cover the closing spread has followed its SU record the past five games at 3-2. Overall, the Wolverines are 10-8 SU in Big Ten play while going 8-10 ATS. This is the type of inconsistency this team has displayed all season long at 16-12 SU and 12-16 ATS. The total has gone OVER in four of the last five games.
Center Hunter Dickinson went off against Michigan State on Tuesday night with a career-high 33 points. He connected on 13 of his 19 shots from the field while pulling down nine rebounds. On the year, he is averaging a team-high 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds a game.
The Wolverines have a trio players other than Dickinson scoring at least 10 PPG. All three are shooting better than 40% from the field. Forward Caleb Houston (10.9 points) has connected on 37.5% of his team-high 136 three-point attempts. Guard DeVante’ Jones (10.1 points) leads the team in assists with 4.5 a game.
Michigan has averaged 73.2 points and 35.8 rebounds a game this season. It is shooting 47.3% from the field and 33.8% from three point range. At the other end of the court, the Wolverines are holding opposing teams to 69.3 PPG.
INSIDE THE STATS - IOWA HAWKEYES
- Record: 21-8
- PS/G: 83.7 (5th)
- PA/G: 70.9 (234th)
- ORtg: 116.9 (4th)
- DRtg: 99.1 (164th)
INSIDE THE STATS - MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
- Record: 15-12
- PS/G: 73.2 (130th)
- PA/G: 69.3 (187th)
- ORtg: 108.2 (56th)
- DRtg: 102.5 (249th)
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- IOWA: Keegan Murray - F (23.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg)
- IOWA: Jordan Bohannon - G (11 ppg)
- MICH: Hunter Dickinson - C (18.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg)
- MICH: Eli Brooks - G (11.9 ppg)
IOWA HAWKEYES vs. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING CONCLUSION
Neither team plays defense at a high level. Yet, when you are having issues scoring points that should not be a factor on Thursday night. Each side is simply looking for a much needed win as the regular season winds down.
Recent trends on the total line point to a lower score than expected with three of the last five meetings staying UNDER the closing line. Michigan State holds the SU 7-3 edge over the last 10 meetings and it is 6-4 ATS.
IOWA HAWKEYES vs. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES BETTING TRENDS
- Iowa has covered the spread in five of its last seven games.
- Iowa has won four straight games.
- Iowa has gone UNDER the point total in three of its last four games.
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