Michigan vs Iowa Basketball Prediction & Picks: Hawkeyes seek third straight win

After a rough stretch, things appear to be looking up for Iowa, and the Hawkeyes will look to keep the good vibes going in Iowa City as they host Michigan tonight.

The matchup between the Hawkeyes (10-6, 2-3 Big Ten) and Wolverines (9-6, 3-1 Big Ten) is set for a 7:00 pm ET (6:00 pm local time) tip at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and it will be televised by ESPN2.

After losing five of seven and dropping their first three conference contests, Iowa had a winning week last week.

Last Thursday, they overcame an early 21-point deficit in an 91-89 win over Indiana, and on Sunday at Rutgers, they jumped on the Scarlet Knights early and went on to win 76-65 in one of the Big Ten’s toughest places to play.

Michigan, meanwhile, went into last Saturday’s rivalry game at Michigan State seeking a 4-0 start in conference play, but they had a forgettable game offensively in a 59-53 loss to the Spartans.

Who will take the win tonight in Iowa City? Read on for our Michigan vs Iowa basketball prediction and picks.

Michigan vs Iowa Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 11:52 am ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Michigan +5.5 (-102)
• Iowa -5.5 (-120)

Over/Under

• Over 154.5 (-105)
• Under 154.5 (-115)

Moneyline

• Michigan +195
• Iowa -240

Will Iowa Continue to Spread the Wealth Against Michigan?

While Kris Murray, like his brother Keegan last season, is leading the way for Iowa offensively, a difference seems to be developing between last year’s team and this one, even though a lot of personnel remains the same.

Last season, four players led Iowa in scoring in games: Keegan Murray, Kris Murray, Jordan Bohannon, and Tony Perkins.

With Payton Sandfort leading the way in the Rutgers win with 22 points, this year’s Iowa team has now had six different players lead the team in scoring in at least one game: Kris Murray, Perkins, Pat McCaffery, Filip Rebraca, and Ahron Ulis.

Also, while he hasn’t led the team in scoring in a game yet, Conor McCaffery has had some notable performances, scoring a season-high 17 in an overtime loss to Wisconsin, 16 in last week’s win over Indiana, and 14 in the rivalry win over Iowa State.

Against Rutgers, Perkins, Ulis, and Conor McCaffery were a combined 6 of 24 from the field and 5 of 15 from three with 19 total points, but Sandfort (6 of 8 FG, 4 of 5 3PT, 6 of 7 FT), Murray (17 points, 7 of 11 FG, 3 of 7 3PT), and Rebraca (16 points, 5 of 12 FG, 6 of 9 FT, 12 rebounds) picked up the slack.

That is a lot for potential threats for Michigan to contend with and counter. Hunter Dickinson (18.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG) needs to do what Hunter Dickinson usually does, but Jett Howard (14.3 PPG) and Kobe Bufkin (12.7 PPG) need to step up big as well.

The Wolverines also need to find their shot from outside after making only 3 of 20 (15%) from three against Michigan State.

Michigan vs Iowa Prediction and Picks

Michigan vs Iowa Prediction: Iowa to win

Michigan vs Iowa Picks: Iowa team total over 79.5 (BetUS) & Filip Rebraca over 15.5 points (BetOnline)

If the Wolverines play to their potential, they can be in the game all the way. So, even though I think Iowa will win, I’m not touching the spread because it could easily end up being a close game.

But I like the Hawkeyes to have another strong night offensively and score around or above their season scoring average (81.4 PPG).

And I expect for Rebraca to contribute significantly to that and keep his nice individual run going.

Rebraca has scored in double figures in ten straight games, and he has scored at least 16 points in six of his last eight games. In Iowa’s last three home games, he has gone for 30 points and nine rebounds (Southeast Missouri State), 24 and (Eastern Illinois), and 19 and 10 (Indiana).

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