Michigan Basketball vs Central Michigan: Odds, prediction and how to watch
Michigan basketball will play its final non-conference game against Central Michigan Thursday and here’s a look at the odds, a prediction, and how to watch.
After another close loss last week dropped Michigan basketball to 7-4 on the season, the Wolverines have had a week to practice and improve before Central Michigan and the start of Big Ten play.
Michigan basketball has played one Big Ten game so far but still has 19 to go starting with a trio of games next week. In one final tune-up before conference play, the Wolverines will host 4-8 Central Michigan, which ranks 295th in the Kenpom rankings.
The Chippewas are without their best player, Kevin Miller, who has averaged 18 points a game when he’s been on the floor. He’s missed the last seven games and Central Michigan is fresh off a 76-65 loss to Youngstown State. Their last two wins were over Alma and Purdue Northwest.
Michigan is still finding itself with a young lineup and two true freshman starters. Dug McDaniel is growing into the point guard role, while Jett Howard has been exceptional on offense and just OK on defense. The same can be said about Kobe Bufkin who is coming on.
All of those guys need to tighten things up on the defensive end. That goes for Hunter Dickinson and Terrance Williams too. Joey Baker put together a better effort against North Carolina and it would be great if that was a spark moving forward.
Michigan basketball desperately needs 15-20 quality minutes from Baker on a nightly basis with the lack of depth on the wing now. Bufkin could play some of those minutes before but Michigan is even thinner now that he’s essentially the point guard when McDaniel is out.
More than anything, Hunter Dickinson needs to get going again and that should be easy against Central Michigan which is 279th in 2-point percentage defense. Central Michigan ranks 262nd according to Kenpom in adjusted defensive efficiency, and 308th on the offensive end.
Jesse Zarzuela is a name to watch. He makes 2.4 3-pointers per game for Central Michigan and averages over 13 points per game. Reggie Bass also makes 1.7 3-pointers per game and the freshman has added a solid scoring presence.
Brian Taylor (14.6 ppg) is a 6-foot-6 forward who makes 0.7 3-pointers per game but is Central Michigan’s leading scorer and also grabs six rebounds per game. Miroslav Stafl and Markus Harding are 6-foot-11 and 6-foot-10 respectively and should handle Hunter Dickinson, although I’d expect to see some zone and double teams.
Frankly, this game shouldn’t be competitive but the Wolverines have struggled against other non-major opponents this season, so we’ll see if they can be sharp for 40 minutes which is really the only key for this matchup — show up and be solid from start to finish — something that really hasn’t happened yet and why Michigan basketball is 7-4 and not say 9-2.
Here’s a look at the odds, our prediction, and how to watch.
Michigan basketball vs Central Michigan odds
The Wolverines are a 21-point favorite according to Draft Kings and the over/under is 146.5.
(Odds are subject to change)
Michigan basketball vs Central Michigan prediction
I’ve been burned a few times this year taking Michigan with the points. However, I really think the Wolverines will play well in this one. I expect them to win but Eastern Michigan went down to the wire and Ohio went to overtime.
So it’s hard to pick Michigan basketball against the spread with confidence. This team has been up and down all year. Hopefully, the Wolverines come out and win by 30 (as they should).
That’s going to be my prediction (basically) as I see Michigan winning this game 88-60. Michigan makes a bunch of 3-pointers and builds some confidence heading into the meat of the schedule.
Michigan Basketball vs Central Michigan how to watch
Tip-off: 7 PM EST
TV: None
Streaming: BTN+