With conference tournaments and the NCAA bracket approaching, each college basketball game carries increased importance down the stretch. On Thursday, a pair of Big Ten foes face off when the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines clash with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The 8:00 p.m. tip-off on Peacock sees one of the nation’s very best programs go head-to-head with a bitter rival looking to bolster its resume in early March.
Below, we’ll break down our Michigan vs. Iowa pick against the spread for Thursday’s game. Make your college basketball picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals!
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Michigan vs. Iowa Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
In year No. 2 with head coach Dusty May at the helm, Michigan has completely transformed into a powerhouse. The Wolverines are 27-2 on the year, including a sparkling 17-1 record in conference play, and have peaked as high as No. 1 in the AP poll this season.
Iowa has witnessed new head coach Ben McCollum deliver them their first 20-win campaign since 2021-22. The Hawkeyes are sliding as of late, however, posting a 2-4 record in their last six contests.
Michigan and Iowa have met 135 times on the hardwood dating back to 1949. The Wolverines own a commanding 80-55 series lead, albeit on an average point differential of just 1.2.
Michigan vs. Iowa Spread, Over/Under
Michigan enters Thursday’s game as 8.5-point road favorites, returning a 1.2x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
Iowa is a home underdog with a 4.54x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 34 states.
- Spread: Michigan Wolverines -8.5
- Over/Under: 145.5
- Game Winner Payout: Wolverines 1.2x | Hawkeyes 4.54x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Michigan vs. Iowa Prediction on Spread
Here are the key stats to know before locking in your Michigan vs. Iowa prediction on spread for Thursday, March 5 on PrizePicks.
- Michigan is 4-6 against the spread as a road favorite this season. While that’s far from perfect, Iowa is 0-2 ATS as a home underdog.
- May’s crew owns top-five rankings in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, via Bart Torvik. McCollum’s group is 29th and 37th, respectively.
- According to KenPom, strength of schedule could separate the real from the fake here. Michigan’s non-conference SOS net rating sits 10th nationally, with Iowa’s being 334th.
- Monitor the paint battle on Thursday. Per CBB Shot Charts, Michigan shoots 68% at the rim, with Iowa allowing a 65% conversion rate. Iowa makes 67% of its rim tries, but the Wolverines allow a 54% mark defensively.
- There’s a considerable gap between the two defenses. UM ranks first nationally with a 44.0 effective field goal percentage ceded. UIowa is 213th (52.0 eFG%).
- Pace is another massive discrepancy in this Big Ten bout. Michigan is 15th in adjusted tempo, and their Thursday foes are 357th.
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Make #3 Michigan vs. Iowa Picks on PrizePicks
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