A colossal showdown between the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines and the No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes is scheduled for this Thursday in Ann Arbor. Will the Wolverines add to their current win streak? Or will the Hawkeyes pull of a mild upset on the road?
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Betting Preview for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs Michigan Wolverines NCAA College Basketball Game on February 25 2021
Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI
When: Thursday, February 25, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Iowa Hawkeyes (odds) vs. Michigan Wolverines (odds) – view all 2021 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Iowa Hawkeyes (odds)
Record: 17-6 Overall / 11-5 Conference
Iowa muscled out another win on the strength of its offense, as the Hawkeyes won their fourth game in a row by beating the Penn State Nittany Lions at home last Sunday, 74-68. The Hawkeyes shot just 44.8 percent from the field in that game but went 10 of 25 from behind the arc. The Hawkeyes have been on fire with their outside shooting lately. They have made an average of 11.5 threes on 50 percent shooting percentage over their last four games. That kind of shooting will be crucial in stretching Michigan’s defense that is surrendering 7.0 3-pointers per game. Iowa is among the best outside-shooting teams in the nation, ranking ninth overall with 10.2 3-pointers per game on 40.3 percent accuracy. Luka Garza, who had 23 points in the Penn State game should be a handful for Michigan’s big men. Garza is averaging 24.7 points per game on 56 field goal shooting percentage this season.
Iowa is 3-1 against the spread in its last four games overall.
Betting on the Michigan Wolverines (odds)
Record: 16-1 Overall / 11-1 Conference
Michigan emerged victorious in a huge clash between potential No. 1 seeds in March Madness, as the Wolverines took down the Ohio State Buckeyes at home last Sunday, 92-87. The Wolverines’ offense came through for Juwan Howard’s team against Ohio State. The Wolverines shot 53.4 percent from the field and knocked down 11 of 23 attempts from behind the arc. Michigan seems to have the ability to adapt to its opponents’ strengths and find a win to get by, which is why the Wolverines are ranked as high as they are right now. The Wolverines relied on Hunter Dickinson for stability against the Buckeyes. Dickinson led the Wolverines with 22 points and nine rebounds. The seven-footer Dickinson will be key in neutralizing Garza down low. Michigan is seventh nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency rating (121.1) and 11th in adjusted defensive efficiency rating (90.5).
Michigan is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Iowa wins, 78-77.
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