Offense meets defense when the Iowa Hawkeyes (16-5, 5-5 Big 10) welcome the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines (20-1, 9-1 Big 10) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 1, 2019.
Michigan Wolverines at Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Prediction
The Wolverines will be looking for similar success after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in their last game, 65-49. The Wolverines forced 19 turnovers, while the Buckeyes had a free throw rate of 0.115 (below their season average of 0.278). Michigan was led by Zavier Simpson, who registered 11 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. This gave him his zeroth triple-double of the year.
The last time the Hawkeyes took the court, they were beaten by the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 92-87. Getting to the free throw line was one of Minnesota’s largest strengths. They made 31 trips to the line, while Iowa went 21 times. Iowa’s Isaiah Moss recorded 23 points and six rebounds in the contest.
This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Iowa currently ranks 11th in offensive efficiency and Michigan is second in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Wolverines rank 268th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.206), while the Hawkeyes rank 60th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.194).
After the Wolverines won all three meetings against the Hawkeyes last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Michigan won 77-71. The Wolverines had a much better free throw rate (0.290 vs. 0.154) and had a much better turnover percentage (10.6 vs. 16.1).
Michigan Wolverines at Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Michigan, ATS Winner – Michigan, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Michigan ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (9.7) while Iowa ranks 236th (15.9).
The Wolverines rank second in three pointers allowed per game (16.4) while the Hawkeyes rank 221st (24.4).
Michigan ranks first in steals allowed per game (3.6) while Iowa ranks 107th (6.3).
The Hawkeyes rank seventh in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while the Wolverines rank 63rd (2.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Wolverines’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, down from 15.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hawkeyes have scored an average of 82.0 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.8 points per game (4.2 above their season average).
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