College hoops betting interest focuses on the Michigan vs Central Michigan battle Saturday at Crisler Arena as the Wolverines look to defend home court and cover the NCAA basketball point spread.

Michigan will face the 7-5 Chippewas, who own a 7-4 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Wolverines are 6-5 favoring the UNDER so far this season while the Chippewas are 5-2 favoring the OVER.



View Central Michigan vs Michigan Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks (including Sportsbook) had the Wolverines installed as 27.5-point favorites in this particular matchup earlier in the day. Also, watch for the Sportsbook over-under value at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Wolverines, most recently No. 6 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Chippewas, who rate No. 268 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 90-67 victory for the Wolverines.



How They Match Up:
Rebounding is always a key handicapping consideration and Chippewas is ranked No. 237 in NCAA hoops at 33.8 per game. Contrast that with Michigan’s No. 78 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Michigan is the No. 26-ranked team in the country at 8.4 per game, while Central Michigan rates No. 35 at 8.1 per game.

Defensively, Central Michigan features the nation's No. 218-rated defense on the road, allowing 73.2 points per game. Michigan, meanwhile, comes in at No. 55 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, Central Michigan was a 62-45 Sportsbook at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. They covered the 7-point spread as favorites. Arkansas-Pine Bluff suffered a 62-45 loss against Central Michigan on Sunday, getting 12 points from Marcel Mosley in a losing effort at Haskins Center.

Last time out for Michigan, they were a 93-54 Sportsbook as they battled Eastern Michigan at home. They covered in the match as a 25-point favorite. The battle between the Wolverines and Eagles didn’t turn out to be much of a battle at all as Eastern Michigan was handed a 93-54 defeat on Thursday at Crisler Arena.


Central Michigan Chippewas Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Bowling Green are 2-8
After a win are 3-7

Michigan Wolverines Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Northwestern are 6-4
After playing Eastern Michigan are 4-3
After a win are 10-0

A few Chippewas at Wolverines trends to consider:
Central Michigan is 4-18 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Michigan is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Michigan is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home


Next up:
Central Michigan home to Bowling Green, Wednesday, January 9
Michigan at Northwestern, Thursday, January 3