Round 2 – Bobcats vs Wolverine CBB Handicapping Prediction
Michigan is coming off getting crushed in the Big 10 semifinals and they now face an Ohio team that has won 4 straight.
Ohio(13) vs Michigan(4)
Venue/ Stadium: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Time/Date: 7:20 PM EST Friday, March 16, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Ohio +200 / Michigan -240
Spread (ATS): Michigan -5.5
Over/Under: 125.5
Ohio Bobcats vs. Michigan Wolverines Preview
The Bobcats finished 3rd in the Mid American Conference, but won the conference tourney to get an automatic Big Dance bid. Ohio lost their only game facing a ranked team this season and NCAAB lines have Michigan as 5.5-point favorites in this game with a total of 125.5
In their last games Ohio beat Akron 64-63 in the finals of the Mid American Conference tourney while Michigan was crushed by Ohio State 77-55 in the Big 10 semis.
This season Michigan is 17-12-1 ATS with an O/U record of 16-13-1 and Ohio is at 13-13 ATS with an O/U record of 11-15.
Michigan has not lost 2 games in a row all season.
Michigan is led by their solid backcourt with the likes of G Trey Burke (14.8 ppg) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (14.6 ppg). Both of these guys can shoot the long ball and this season Michigan averaged over 8 3-pointers made per game. They have 4 guards that can shoot lights out and Ohio will have to play good perimeter defense to win this game.
Ohio is led by G D.J. Cooper (14.6 ppg), who scored 23 points in the MAC title game over Akron, and G Walter Offutt (11.7 ppg), who struggled in the win over Akron. The Bobcats will need these guys to have good games, as these 2 are the only Ohio players that are averaging in double figures.
Michigan and their guard heavy rotation will have to shoot the rock well in this game since they only rank 311th in the nation in rebounds per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Ohio will have to figure out how to score on a Michigan defense that is solid and ranks 38th in the nation in opponents points allowed.
The Bobcats must hit the glass with Reggie Keely (9.2 ppg 5.1 rpg) Ivo Baltic (9 ppg 5.1 rpg) and this 6’8″ also have to give the Bobcats some inside scoring, as the guards for Ohio are undersized.
In some betting trends for this Midwest Region 2nd round game Ohio is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall, 7-0 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games, and they have an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 neutral site games as an underdog.
Michigan is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games, 25-10-1 ATS in their last 36 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, and they have an Over record of 5-0 in their last 5 games.
Jason’s Pick: Ohio has a solid team and they are hot, but the Michigan backcourt is simply too good and with 4 guys that can light it up I have to go with the Wolverines in this game, as they will win and cover.
