No. 2 Michigan a Double-Digit Fave to Bounce Back from Blowout Loss

The Michigan Wolverines (18-2 SU, 15-5 ATS) look to get back on track against the Michigan State Spartans (14-10 SU, 8-16 ATS) after a complete letdown vs Illinois on Tuesday night. Despite the 23-point loss to the Fighting Illini, the No. 2 Wolverines are still 12-1 at home as they get set to entertain a Michigan State squad that after a rough start has won four of its last five.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Oddsmakers seemed to discount Michigan’s blowout loss just two days earlier, Sportsbook the Wolverines as 13.5-point favorites. They’ve since been bet down to -12. The total opened at just 140 with both teams coming off some poor shooting performances this week and having combined to cash the UNDER in 16 of their past 21 games.

Michigan State News & Notes

The Spartans seem to be heating up at an opportune time, winning and covering four of their last five as they fight to make the NCAA Tournament.

They’ve struggled on the road, losing five of their last six, but look to build off a gritty home win vs Indiana on Tuesday night in which they shot less than 38 percent from the field but limited the Hoosiers to just 58 points.

Junior Aaron Henry has stepped up of late and comes into this contest leading the team at 15.4 points and 3.6 assists per game. The six-foot-six forward is the only Spartan logging over 30 minutes a game.

Michigan State will need sophomore transfer Joey Hauser to step up as he tries to lock down Michigan center Hunter Dickinson, arguably the best freshman in the nation.

Michigan News & Notes

Averaging 77 points per game this season, the Wolverines shot a season-low 34.7 percent from the field in Tuesday night’s shocking 76-53 loss to Illinois at Ann Arbor.

That was Michigan’s first loss in 13 home games this season and snapped a seven-game SU winning streak. The Wolverines have covered the spread in three of their last four and 11 of their last 14.

Michigan’s offense is built around Dickinson, the freshman phenom who leads Wolverines starters in field-goal percentage and averages 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 25.6 minutes per game.

Betting Pick: OVER 140

The total is a clear overreaction to some poor shooting efforts by both teams earlier this week. Michigan is averaging over 79 points per game at the Crisler Center; if Michigan State hits even the 65-point mark, this OVER is in great shape.