Michigan basketball vs. Purdue: Odds, prediction, and how to watch
i know, Michigan basketball fans, you don't get excited about Gameday like you used to and that's understandable as the Wolverines are 8-19 and are 3-13 in Big Ten play.
There are four games to go and even though the season feels like a lost cause at this point, a win for Michigan basketball always makes it a good day and who wouldn't love an upset of No. 3 Purdue?
The problem is that Zach Edey and the Boilermakers are on a different level. They beat down the Wolverines by 30 points at home. Michigan basketball didn't have Dug McDaniel, but he wouldn't have made that big of a difference.
Olivier Nkamhoua is out for the season and there have been injury issues lately with Terrance Williams, Jace Howard, and Will Tschetter. Williams and Howard played on Thursday against Northwestern. Tschetter didn't and he will be needed on Sunday.
Purdue is 7th in points per game, 15th in point differential, and also one of the best rebounding teams in the country. Michigan struggles on the boards and allowed Northwestern to rebound 39 percent of its misses, so the Boilermakers are licking their chops.
Dug McDaniel is back and that's a positive for Michigan. He's capable of doing special things and he'll need a triple-double and probably about 25 points if the Wolverines are going to pull off this upset. Here's how to watch, as well as the odds, and a prediction.
Michigan basketball vs. Purdue odds
The Wolverines are a 13.5-point underdog at home, which is crazy. The over/under is 152 and the money line for Michigan is +700, while it's -1100 for Purdue.
Michigan basketball vs. Purdue how to watch
Date: Feb. 25 Game Time: 2:00 PM EST Venue: Crisler. How to Watch: CBS Sports/Fubo TV
Michigan basketball vs. Purdue prediction
Tarris Reed is going to have to play a lot but since Zach Edey is brilliant at drawing fouls, it's hard to see Michigan's center getting through this game without foul trouble. Will Tschetter, Terrance Williams, Nimari Burnett, and Dug need to catch fire from deep.
The Wolverines need to make about 12 3-pointers to win this game. They also need to hold Purdue under 10 and keep Edey in check. The reality is that Michigan just doesn't have the horses. Purdue is the best team in the Big Ten and they'll look like it on Sunday, although I expect another valiant effort.
Michigan will play well in the first half. It will be close at the half, but Purdue has too much firepower and they'll cover the spread at the end.
Purdue 85, Michigan 70