Michigan basketball vs. Stanford: Odds, prediction, and how to watch

After a disappointing loss, Michigan basketball will be in action against Stanford on Thursday night. Here are the odds, how to watch, and a prediction. 

For the second straight game, Michigan basketball dropped a game that the Wolverines could have easily won.

Memphis is a top-40 team according to the Kenpom rankings. So it’s not like Michigan lost to another mid-major or something. But when you look at the turnovers, the missed free throws, and the poor shooting, you see the missed opportunity.

However, the Wolverines don’t have the time or luxury to feel sorry for themselves. Michigan basketball turns around and plays Stanford on Thanksgiving night in the Bahamas.

Here’s all the key info including the odds, how to watch, and a prediction for Michigan basketball vs. Stanford.

Michigan basketball vs. Stanford how to watch

Date: Nov. 23
Game Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Battle 4 Atlantis
How to Watch: ESPNU | Fubo TV

Michigan basketball vs. Stanford odds

The Wolverines are a 3.5-point favorite tonight against Stanford according to DraftKings. The over/under is 149, while the money line is -142 for Michigan and +120 for Stanford.

Michigan basketball vs. Stanford preview and prediction

Like Michigan, the Cardinal are also coming off a loss. Stanford dropped its opener in the Battle 4 Atlantis to Arkansas in double overtime.

Stanford is ranked 67th in the Kenpom rankings. The Cardinal are 3-2 just like the Wolverines who have dropped to No. 41 after making the top 30 following the win over St. John’s.

Defense has been a major issue all season but especially in the past two games. The Wolverines were able to string together some stops against Memphis, but often, it was because the Tigers missed open looks.

Michigan struggled to stop dribble penetration, which is what happened against Long Beach State. U-M switched to a zone, but the coverage wasn’t great and Memphis continually got wide-open attempts and made enough to win the game.

Stanford is a team that shoots well and doesn’t turn the ball over much. It should be a better matchup for the Wolverines defensively, but they still need to be disciplined, especially in transition where they have struggled at times to communicate and find their man.

I’m interested in when Juwan Howard will return to a full-time coaching role. He was on the bench on Wednesday and often stood for a few minutes at a time. He shouldn’t rush back, but this team needs its head coach as soon as possible.

Jared Bynum is one of six Stanford players that averages double-digit points. The point guard scores 10.2 points and averages 8.4 assists. He’s a 5-foot-10 super senior who’s got tons of experience.

For once, Dug McDaniel won’t be doomed by size. He needs to play better defense and also needs to get off to a better start.

Maybe the most disappointing thing about Dug’s performance was the missed free throws. The turnovers, which were the entire team’s fault, have to stop though. Some of it is expected with fewer ball-handlers on this team.

But bad passes, silly offensive fouls, and things like that need to cease. Will Tschetter gave Michigan some great minutes but he had two offensive fouls. Tarris Reed traveled twice when he could have shot or passed.

Terrance Williams threw a ball out of bounds and tried to dribble through multiple defenders when that’s not his game. Players need to do the simple things better.

If that happens, Michigan basketball will win. Stanford is ranked 82nd in 3-point percentage, but 118th in 2-point percentage. The 2-point defense ranks 42nd, but the 3-point defense has been terrible and ranks 312th.

That’s where Michigan basketball could take advantage. The Wolverines also need to win a 2-point battle which they have lost the last two games.

In the end, I don’t see Michigan losing three straight. My prediciton is that the defense responds, as does Dug McDaniel and the Wolverines win.

Prediction: Michigan 75, Stanford 70