GAME:  #847 Northwestern  vs #848 Michigan
TIME:    1/3/2021 – 7:30p EST
SPREAD:   Michigan -8.5
TOTAL:      145

The #19 Northwestern Wildcats (6-2, 3-1) have a BIG 10 road game against the #16 Michigan Wolverines (8-0, 3-0) at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. EST. In their previous games, Northwestern lost at Iowa by a score of 72-87 while Michigan won at Maryland by a score of 84-73. These teams met once last season at Northwestern when Michigan won by a score of 54-79. Michigan looks for its 7th straight win over Northwestern at Crisler Center. The last victory for the Wildcats at Michigan was a 68-62 win on Jan. 10, 2010.

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS

The Northwestern Wildcats are averaging 83.6 points per game on 48% field goal shooting adding 10.1 3-pointers per game on 42.4% shooting from the arc.  The Wildcats are allowing 65.4 points per game on 39% shooting while forcing 12.1 turnovers and 84.8 steals and 2.5 blocks per game on the defensive end.

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

The Michigan Wolverines are averaging 82.3 points on 52.3% field goal shooting adding 7.5 threes on 34.9% shooting. The Wolverines are allowing 68.4 points per game on 37.7% field goal shooting while forcing 10.8 turnovers and adding 5.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per game on the defensive end. 

 TRENDS(covers.com)

NORTHWESTERN

• Over is 4-0 in the Wildcat’s last 4 games following an ATS loss.
• Over is 5-0 in the Wildcat’s last 5 games following a straight up loss.
• Under is 5-1 in Wildcats last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
• The Wildcats are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.

MICHIGAN

• The Wolverines are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
• Wolverines are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a win.
• The Wolverines are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite.
• Under is 4-1 in Wolverines last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• The Wolverines are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Sunday games.

HEAD TO HEAD

• The home team is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

NORTHWESTERN vs MICHIGAN PREDICTION

Northwestern is a team that lives by the three and that is a tough thing to live by when playing on the road in tough conference games. Michigan defends the three well on their home court allowing only 33.7% shooting from deep and only 35% from inside the arc. Michigan has won its last six home games, scoring an average of 82.3 points while giving up 67.5. The public is pounding Northwestern just like they did against Iowa and Iowa blew out NW. The line however is moving from 8 to 9 at some sportsbooks so you will want to keep an eye on this line and shop around. These teams match up almost evenly on the offensive end stat sheet however Michigan is favored by almost double-digits.  When the line doesn’t make any sense there is a reason for it. This total should also be around 148-150 but as it sits at 145 is low and it is dropping at some books as well. The Bookie is rolling with the Michigan Wolverines to win big on their home court. 

BETTING ANGLES:

The Bookie:         Michigan -8.5 / Under 145
Fade the Public:  Michigan / Under
Sharp Action:      Michigan / Under