Michigan Basketball vs Kentucky: Odds, a predictions and how to watch

Michigan basketball will battle 19th-ranked Kentucky Sunday in London and here’s a look at the odds, a prediction, and how to watch. 

Earlier this week, Michigan basketball blew a golden opportunity to beat a top-five team at home in Virginia, blowing a double-digit lead and turning it over two on key possessions in the last couple of minutes.

Virginia was more poised and just executed better down the stretch. The first half was great as Michigan knocked down a bunch of 3-pointers but that shooting didn’t last and the Wolverines failed to secure a marquee win — something they don’t have in non-conference play.

The Wolverines will get another chance on Sunday against 19th-ranked Kentucky in a game that will be played in London. It will feature Hunter Dickinson going head-to-head against Oscar Tshiebwe – the reigning National Player of the Year — and another elite big man.

As such, Kentucky is one of the best teams in the country at defending 2-point shots. The Wildcats have only allowed two teams to shoot better than 42 percent on their 2-point attempts and one of them was Gonzaga.

Michigan basketball, despite having Hunter Dickinson, ranks 90th in 2-point field goal percentage and 129th in 2-point percentage defense. The Wolverines are 211th in points allowed, 209th in terms of defensive rating, and 236th in terms of offensive rebounds allowed.

That’s not a good sign against Tshiebwe who is 6-foot-9 and averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds per game. He’s an elite offensive rebounder and Dickinson is going to need one of his best games as a Wolverine for Michigan to pull the upset.

Michigan needs its 3-point shooters to step up too. As well as the defense which has struggled to contain talented one-on-one scorers and Kentucky has a bunch. The Wildcats love to run and their halfcourt offense doesn’t execute like Virginia’s but against Michigan’s defense, it just might.

Everyone is questioning this team after a few poor performances and while this isn’t a must-win game, this program could really use some positive momentum.

Here’s a look at the odds, as well as a prediction and how to watch.

Michigan basketball vs Kentucky Odds

The Wildcats are listed as an 8.5-point favorite right now over the Wolverines according to FanDuel. The over/under is 143.5, while the money line is +330 for Michigan and -430 for Kentucky.

(Odds are subject to change)

Michigan basketball vs Kentucky Prediction

I don’t really know what to expect from Michigan basketball. At times on Tuesday, the Wolverines look as good as they have all season. But the poor defense, poor rebounding, and poor shooting are going to get almost every time.

Kentucky is an interesting team in the sense that if Michigan can make some buckets and not let them get in transition so much, the Wolverines might do better defending in a half-court setting.

That being said, I don’t see the rebounding issue being solved and with the way Kentucky defends inside, Michigan’s shooters will have to make shots and I’m not sure they will hit enough to win.

I think Dickinson and Jett Howard will both play well and each will play almost every minute possible, but Kentucky will lead most of the way and take home a 78-71 win.

Michigan basketball vs Kentucky How to watch

The Wolverines will take on the Wildcats on ABC at 1 PM EST/10 AM PST. The game can also be streamed on Fubo TV.