Michigan vs Iowa Odds
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 163.5 -110o / -110u | OFF |
| Iowa Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 163.5 -110o / -110u | OFF |
We head out to Iowa City, Iowa, as the Hawkeyes will look to avenge their two-game skid when the Michigan Wolverines come to town. Michigan has had its own struggles, as it enters this game on a three-game losing streak.
Both of these teams are known for their offenses and are nearly ranked the same on KenPom. This should be an intriguing matchup, with both teams not wanting to bury themselves in the Big Ten standings early in the season.
Here's college basketball odds and a pick for Michigan vs. Iowa on Sunday, Dec. 10.
Michigan Wolverines
It's been a rough week and a half for the Wolverines, as they've played well in all of their games just to come up short. Specifically, they had Oregon right where they wanted them, but ultimately blew it with a couple of key mistakes at the end of regulation.
It's no secret by now that this team rides or dies with their offense. The Wolverines are 21st in the nation in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency.
This is a very talented starting five and they deserve a lot of the credit, considering the Wolverines' rotation is one of the thinnest in the entire country. Michigan is shooting 37% from 3, and it should get ample opportunities to cash in from deep against this Hawkeyes team.
I'd like to see the Wolverines improve from the charity stripe, which has been the main reason why they've lost a few of these close games. They're shooting 67% as a team, which ranks in the bottom 100 in the country.
Defensively, they're going to have their hands full in this game. Not only is this going to be a desperate Hawkeyes team, but they have the ability to get scorching hot from deep.
This defense is 348th in opposing 3PT%, which is really alarming for this game. They're also 258th in Rim-and-3 Rate, which means they're allowing a ton of high-quality shots from the outside or inside the paint.
As much as I love this offense, I don't see any answers on defense. The Wolverines haven't been too bad defending inside the arc, but the Hawkeyes' offense doesn't really flow through that area.
Dug McDaniel can always carry this team to victory, but this just seems like an awful matchup for the Wolverines. The offense will keep them in it late, but we might be better off targeting a different angle in this game.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Just like the Wolverines, the Hawkeyes have had some issues defending. This really isn't a surprise considering Hawkeyes teams of the past, but they better be careful in this game.
Offensively, they've been terrific per usual. However, they're 309th in 3PA per game, which is quite bizarre given the team's recent history.
I expect them to fire more 3s in this game, especially due to how badly the Wolverines have been defending the perimeter. The likes of Tony Perkins, Payton Sandfort and Patrick McCaffery will get plenty of chances throughout this game.
Even though the Hawkeyes haven't been lights out from deep, they're 17th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. They take of business at the charity stripe and do an excellent job of protecting the basketball.
This is a pristine matchup to get this offense back into a groove, and I expect the Hawkeyes to take advantage of it. The Wolverines don't go lightning fast on offense, but I expect the Hawkeyes to force this game into a track meet.
Just like I spoke about above, the Hawkeyes' defense isn't in much better shape than the Wolverines'. The unit is 323rd in Rim-and-3 Rate, so the offense better be ready to make up for a poor defensive performance.
The Hawkeyes have been getting killed on the offensive glass and exposed inside the arc, which is a big reason their defense has suffered this season. They don't really force many turnovers, and as their Rim-and-3 Rate suggests, they continue to allow a lot of easy shots all over the floor.
I think this is a great spot for the Hawkeyes at home, but I don't quite trust their defense enough to say I think they'll win this game outright.
Michigan vs. Iowa
Betting Pick & Prediction
The best play in this game is the over by a landslide. I don't think anybody should trust either of these defenses to make big stops down the stretch of the game, and I can't trust the Wolverines with a lead given their poor performance at the free-throw line thus far.
I think the Hawkeyes win, but why not take the over instead?
Both of these offenses will be able to expose their opponent's weak defense, and I expect the Hawkeyes to force the Wolverines to keep up in a track meet.
Also, the Wolverines should have tired legs late in this game due to their thin rotation and the tempo of the game.
Although they don't attempt many 3s, this is a great matchup for the Hawkeyes to get hot from deep. This should be an offensive slugfest.
Pick: Over 163.5 (Play to 165)
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