Michigan Basketball: 3 predictions for the Wolverines against Iowa

Michigan basketball lost to No. 1 Louisville Tuesday, but now the Wolverines turn their attention to Big Ten Play and Iowa. Here are three predictions.

Following a grueling stretch of games over the last week, Michigan basketball finally returns home to the Crisler Center and awaiting the Wolverines will be Iowa, for the Big Ten opener.

The first Big Ten game of the season may seem early, but it was actually in November last season, so it’s very similar to how it was in the past.

In the Hawkeyes, Michigan basketball gets another quality opponent, one that’s ranked 38th in the country according to the Kenpom rankings. The Wolverines are listed as the No. 12 team in the same rankings. U-M also has defeated three teams ranked in the top 40 already in Iowa State, North Carolina and Gonzaga. Creighton is No. 56.

Yet, the Hawkeyes boast some quality wins of their own, defeating Texas Tech and San Diego State, each top-30 teams, also in preseason tournament play.

Both teams represented the Big Ten well in non-conference play but now the focus turns to conference play, at least for a two-game stretch that includes this weekend and next. Then, both schools will finish out the non-conference schedule before playing 18 more Big Ten games.

It’s also the start of a three-game stretch in eight games for the Wolverines, who are hoping to get back on the winning track after a sluggish loss to Louisville. And with Iowa on the mind, here are three predictions for the Wolverines and Hawkeyes.