A defensive battle should be expected when the No. 23 Michigan Wolverines (17-6, 6-4 Big 10) and the Northwestern Wildcats (13-9, 4-5 Big 10) square off at Crisler Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 29, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 130.5 points with Michigan opening as a 9-point favorite.
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Prediction
The Wildcats come in on a high note after topping the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their last game, 77-69. The Wildcats knocked down 18 of their 23 free throws (78.3 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 13.1 (better than their season average of 15.1). Northwestern rallied around Vic Law, who had 18 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
In the Wolverines’ last matchup, they fell to the No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers, 92-88. Converting at the free throw line was one of Purdue’s largest advantages. They were 19-23 (82.6 percent), while the Wolverines were just 5-9 (55.6 percent). With 26 points on 10-for-15 shooting, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman was Michigan’s leading scorer.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams face off. Michigan ranks 328th in possessions per game (66.0) and Northwestern is 259th (68.3).
Northwestern comes into the contest with records of 13-9 straight up (SU) and 8-11 against the spread (ATS). Wildcats games have typically finished under the total (57.9 percent).
Meanwhile, Michigan owns records of 17-6 SU and 13-9 ATS. Much like Northwestern, Wolverines games also have a tendency to finish under the total (59.1 percent).
After the Wildcats won the only game against the Wolverines last season, 67-65, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Northwestern’s 0.578 effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Michigan, who had a rate of 0.529.
Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Wolverines Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Michigan, ATS Winner – Northwestern, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Northwestern is 3-6 ATS on the road with 4 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
At home, Michigan is 6-5 ATS with 8 unders and 3 overs.
Michigan ranks 25th in assists allowed per game (10.7) while Northwestern ranks 151st (13.7).
The Wildcats rank 29th in blocks per game (4.9) while the Wolverines rank 111th (3.3).
Michigan ranks ninth in steals allowed per game (4.5) while Northwestern ranks 74th (5.8).
The Wolverines rank 33rd in rebounds allowed per game (31.6) while the Wildcats rank 63rd (32.6).
Michigan is fifth in the NCAA with 15.7 three pointers allowed per game while Northwestern is 28th with 18.6 three pointers allowed per game.
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Northwestern is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Michigan is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, down from 5.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wolverines have scored an average of 70.4 points per game (4.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.0 points per game (6.2 above their season average).
