The Michigan Wolverines aim to extend their winning streak to three games. They have a chance to do just that on Friday against the Iowa Hawkeyes, who are thirsty for a victory following recent setbacks in conference play. Will the Wolverines continue to roll? Or will the Hawkeyes punch Michigan in the gut with a huge victory against a top-five team? Going into the game, NCAA Futures price the Wolverines at +1000 to win the 2019 College Basketball Championship while their opponent is listed at +7500 to accomplish the same at season’s end.
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Betting Preview for the Michigan Wolverines vs. Iowa Hawkeyes College Basketball Game on February 1, 2019
Where: Carver Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City
When: Friday, February 1, 2019, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Michigan Wolverines (odds) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Michigan Wolverines (19-1 Overall / 8-1 Conference)
The Wolverines continue to move away from a recent bad loss to the Wisconsin Badgers on Jan. 22, as they have now stitched together two-straight victories. Following the Badgers game, the Wolverines survived the Minnesota Gophers in a 59-57 home win before bludgeoning the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington last Friday, 69-46. Michigan will have to deal with the Ohio State Buckeyes at home on Tuesday before its date with the Hawkeyes. The Wolverines have been shaky of late, even in games which they won, but they are still very dangerous. Their defense can take away the air out of their opponents early, as they are third in the nation with just 56.5 points allowed per contest. They are second nationally in scoring defense in the first 20 minutes of games, with opponents churning out a paltry average of 25.8 first-half points per contest.
Michigan is 7-3 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games away from Ann Arbor.
Betting on the Iowa Hawkeyes (16-5 Overall / 5-5 Conference)
Iowa has one of the nation’s best offenses. They are 16th in Division I basketball in scoring, as they are putting up 82.2 points per game on 47.6 percent shooting from the field. KenPom even has Iowa’s offense ranked eighth overall in adjusted offensive efficiency. However, they are on a slide of late, as they offense could not save them from back-to-back losses to the Michigan State Spartans at home on Jan. 24 (82-67) and to the Minnesota Golden Gophers on the road last Sunday (92-87). Junior forward Tyler Cook is the man to watch for the Hawkeyes. He’s been fantastic in the Hawkeyes’ last two games, scoring 18 against Minnesota and 17 against Michigan State. Cook is averaging 16.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, while also shooting a high 57.9 percent from the field.
Iowa is 6-2 ATS in its last eight road games.
Writer’s Prediction
Michigan wins, 77-65.
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