No. 2 Michigan’s place in the Round of 32 was hardly in doubt, while No. 7 Texas needed a classic March Madness-style last-second prayer to get in. When they meet on Saturday with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line, will it be another blowout, or will it come down to the final buzzer?
We’re getting you set for every game as this upset-filled March Madness rolls on. Read on for our breakdown of everything you need to know to bet this major Midwest region match up.
[sc:MarchMadness ]No. 2 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 7 Texas Longhorns Betting Preview
When: Saturday, March 22
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
Line: No. 7 Texas Longhorns (+5) at No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (-5); total 139.5
Betting on the Michigan Wolverines
[sc:finalfour240 ]No. 2 Michigan put its Big Ten tournament loss to Michigan State behind it by making short work of Wofford to advance to the Round of 32. The Wolverines won by 17 to cover the 15-point spread, but scored just 57 points after putting up a season-low 55 against the Spartans. Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III combined for 29 of those 57 points.
Luckily, the Michigan defense thoroughly shut down the Terriers. The Wolverines held their opponents to 40 points, the lowest total they’ve allowed a team all year. Wofford shot just 34% and an appalling 1-19 from three.
Michigan improved to 8-2 SU in its last 10 games. However, it’s just 5-5 ATS over that stretch, even after covering against Wofford.
Betting on the Texas Longhorns
Texas can thank its lucky stars – and Cameron Ridley – for its first trip to the Round of 32 since 2011. The sophomore center scored the buzzer-beating bucket to give the Longhorns an 87-85 win over Arizona State in the Round of 64 on Thursday.
Six Longhorns scored in double figures, including Ridley who led the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while freshman Martez Walker came off the Texas bench to score a career-high 16 points. The Longhorns shot an exceptional 53% from the field but they also allowed the Sun Devils to shoot 48%. Texas has typically held opponents to under 40% shooting on the season.
Texas’ last second heroics ensured that it pushed a 2-point spread. The Longhorns have just won once ATS in their last six games.
Prediction
The Wolverines shoot themselves back to the Sweet 16. Texas doesn’t defend the three-point shot well (it allowed over seven made threes per game this season), which should give the Wolverines, who are second in the NCAA in three-pointers made and three-point percentage, the distinct advantage. Grab Michigan at +5 or on the money line at -230.
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