Michigan Basketball: How to watch, predictions against Iowa State

Michigan basketball will take on Iowa State Wednesday in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis and here is how to watch as well as some predictions.

Over the next week, we will learn a lot about the Michigan basketball team as the Wolverines are set to be challenged with three games in three days at the Battle 4 Atlantis.

The tournament starts Wednesday and Michigan basketball will open against Iowa State, with the winner taking on either North Carolina or Alabama Thursday in the semifinals.

For head coach Juwan Howard, it’s a great chance to find out what kind of team he has with the possibility of playing three top-50 teams according to Kenpom in three days. Iowa State is No. 47.

After a 4-0 start that includes a win over Creighton, the Wolverines are the No. 24 team in the country and look formidable on both ends of the court.

The offense has been spectacular and is shooting better than 61 percent from 2-point range and 39 percent from 3-point range, giving them an effective shooting percentage of 60 percent. That number, according to The Detroit Free Press, ranks fifth in the country.

The defense also ranks 27th according to Kenpom, while the offense ranks 51st, both solid marks early in the season. But now comes a Power-5 test for Michigan and here’s a look at the key info, as well as odds, how to watch and predictions.

Game Info:

Game 5: Michigan vs Iowa State

Where: Bahamas (Battle 4 Atlantis)

When: 12:00 PM EST

TV: ESPN

Streaming: Watch ESPN/ESPN Plus

Radio: WTKA-AM 1050 (Ann Arbor); WWJ-AM 950 (Detroit)

Predictions/Breakdown

The biggest question going into the game is will we possibly see Franz Wagner? The answer is probably not, but it’s still something to keep an eye on.

Iowa State is a team that has shot a bunch of 3-pointers in the past, however, that hasn’t been the case this season, although stats are hard to figure out in just a few games.

The Cyclones do have a familiar face as Rasir Bolton transferred from Penn State and should see plenty of minutes as Iowa State’s leading scorer so far this season. Point guard Tyrese Haliburton is another name to watch.

Like Michigan basketball, Iowa State has six players that average at least eight points per game, so the defense will be key. It will be interesting to see how the Wolverines defend the pick-and-roll. They were able to stymie Creighton with their adjustments and hopefully, the same can be done to Iowa State.

UM will have the size advantage inside with Jon Teske and Colin Castleton, who has been productive in limited minutes. As usual, Isaiah Livers and Zavier Simpson will be relied on to do a lot on both ends, but as long as Michigan can keep scoring at an effective rate, it should be able to win the game.

Final score: Michigan 75, Iowa State 70.