Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for Wolverines against Iowa

After winning three straight games, Michigan basketball will face a tough road test at Iowa Friday night and here are three predictions for the Wolverines.

For some reason, Iowa has never been a kind place to the Michigan Wolverines. Whether it be the football team or Michigan basketball, winning in Iowa City always seems tough.

Last season, the Wolverines swept the Hawkeyes and Michigan basketball did earn a win on the road against Iowa, which is somewhat rare considering UM lost its two previous visits to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

However, Michigan and Iowa actually met three times last season. The third matchup between the two teams came in the Big Ten tournament and that battle went to overtime before the Wolverines eventually prevailed.

While last year’s Iowa team wasn’t outstanding, this year’s group is very solid and comes into tonight with a 5-5 record in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are 13-5 overall and boast a solid pair of bigs inside in 6-foot-9 Tyler Cook (16.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG) and the 6-foot-11 Luka Garza, who averages 14 points a game.

In fact, Iowa has five guys that average at least 10 points per game and in conference play, Iowa is leading the league in points scored with 78 per game. For the season, the Hawkeyes average 82, which ranks 30th nationally.

That means it will be strength against strength as the Wolverines bring in arguably the best defense in the nation. Michigan is ranked first in defensive efficiency by Kenpom and second in points allowed with 56.1. UM also leads all teams in Big Ten play with 58 points allowed.

So with all that in mind, here are three predictions for the Wolverines and Hawkeyes tonight.