Expert prediction
No. 3 Michigan vs Iowa Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 5)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- The Wolverines have won their last 13 Big Ten matchups.
- The Hawkeyes have gone 6-4 in their last 10 conference games.
- This marks the 169th all-time matchup between the two Big Ten squads.
One of the biggest matchups of the March 5 slate will happen in the Big Ten when the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines pay a visit to the Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday evening. The visitors come out as the solid favorite, looking to end the campaign strong after securing the conference’s regular-season title.
How to Watch
- When: Thursday, March 5, 8 pm ET
- Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa
- How to Watch: Peacock
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | -108 | -8.5 | O145.5 |
| Iowa | -112 | +8.5 | U145.5 |
Game Preview
Dusty May and the No. 3 Wolverines (27-2, 17-1 Big Ten) are officially Big Ten regular-season champions after taking down Illinois in their last matchup. The squad scores 89 points per contest, the eighth best nationally. Michigan is shooting 51% (eighth in the nation) as a team and 36% from long range. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the team, averaging 14.3 points to go along with 7.3 rebounds while shooting 49.8 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Morez Johnson Jr. averages 13.4 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds on 65.2% shooting (seventh-best nationally), while Aday Mara averages 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks (fourth in nation).
The Hawkeyes (20-7, 10-6 Big Ten) are in the top half of the conference standings, having a solid campaign in their first year with Ben McCollum as head coach. They’ve won six of their last 10 games, vying for favorable position ahead of the conference tournament. The Hawkeyes are allowing 65 points per game, the fewest in the Big Ten and 11th-fewest nationally. Iowa has held eight opponents at 60 points or less this season. Bennett Stirtz is second in the Big Ten in scoring in league-only games, averaging 22.9 points to go along with 3.8 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals with a .520/.388/.841 shooting clip. He also has three 30-point and 12 20-point contests in league play.
Michigan vs Iowa Head-to-Head
The two programs have had 168 meetings in their history, and the result is 100-68 for the Wolverines. The last matchup was in December 2024 when Michigan won 85-83 at home.
Michigan vs Iowa Predictions
With two games to spare, Michigan will be on cruise control as the regular-season champs, boasting the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament. That doesn’t mean they will start slacking, especially when they continue building their case for the national championship. It means that Iowa will still have a difficult time handling Michigan’s talent on both sides of the ball. Our betting pick here is the Wolverines to defend an 8.5-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick: Michigan Wolverines -8.5
NCAAB
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