#2 Indiana Hoosiers at #7 Michigan Wolverines
Sunday, March 10, 2013, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: CBS
Crisler Center – Ann Arbor, Michigan
Opening Line: Pick
Current Line: Michigan -2
Opening Total: 145 1/2
Current Total: 146
Opening Money Line: Michigan -110 / Indiana -110
Current Money Line: Michigan -135 / Indiana +115
Indiana is 25-5 this season and 13-4 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers lead the Big Ten by a game over Michigan, Michigan St and Ohio St. Indiana can clinch their first outright Big Ten title since 1993 with a win Sunday at the 25-5 Michigan Wolverines, who are 12-5. The Hoosiers have already wrapped up at least a share of the title, but a Michigan win would create at least a two way tie, depending on what Michigan State and Ohio State do.
Indiana leads the series 102-56, but Michigan is 43-36 in Ann Arbor. The teams have split the last 10 games. Indiana won 81-73 in Bloomington February 2. Michigan took an early 3-2 lead and it turned out that would be the only lead of the game. Indiana then jumped out to a 20-7 lead. Michigan would tie it up at 40 early in the second half but then Indiana went on an 11-0 run to take control of the game. Michigan pulled back to within 53-51 with 11:02 left, but would get no closer. Indiana pulled away late to secure the hard fought 8 point win.
Indiana is coached by Tom Crean. The only losses came to Butler by 2 points in overtime in Indianapolis and at home to Wisconsin and Ohio State Tuesday 67-58 , and on the road at Illinois and Minnesota. Indiana has key wins over Georgia & Georgetown in a tournament in Brooklyn, Ball St, North Carolina, Minnesota, Penn St, Michigan St, Nebraska and Purdue, along with road wins at Iowa twice, Penn St, Northwestern, Purdue, Ohio St and Michigan St. The Hoosiers are 15-13 ATS and the total is 13-13 this season.
Indiana is outscoring teams 82-62 this season. The Hoosiers are second in the nation in scoring. Indiana shoots 49.4% from the field and 41.8% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers are 6th or better in the country in both categories. Indiana makes 74.5% of their free throws and is #31 nationally in that category. The Hoosiers average 38.7 rebounds per game and give up 26.4 per game. Indiana is #27 in rebounding, and #15 in rebounds allowed. Hoosier opponents are shooting 38.4% from the field and 29.9% from 3 point range. Indiana is in the top 25 in both categories. The Hoosiers average 15 assists, 8 steals, 4 blocks, and 13 turnovers.
Forward Cody Zeller averages 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Forward Victor Oladipo averages 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 2.3 assists. Forward Christian Watford averages 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Guard Jordan Hulls averages 10.7 points, 3.1 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1 steal per game. Forward Will Sheehey averages 9.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1 steal per game. Kevin Ferrell, Remy Abell, and Jeremy Hollowell also get significant minutes. Forward Austin Etherington (knee) is out indefinitely.
Michigan is coached by John Beilein. Michigan has losses at Ohio St, Indiana, Wiscnsin, Michigan St, and Penn State. All of the Wolverine losses came on the road to the 4 other conference leaders except for last place Penn State. Michigan has won 4 of their last 5 games, including 2 in a row. Michigan has key home wins over Cleveland State, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Western, Central, and Eastern Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue twice, Northwestern, Ohio St, Penn St, Illinois and Michigan St, . The Wolverines also have wins over Pittsburgh and Kansas St in a tournament in New York City, West Virginia in Brooklyn, and at Bradley, Northwestern, Minnesota, and Illinois. The Wolverines won at Purdue Wednesday 80-75. Michigan is 13-14-1 ATS this season and total is 17-11 this season.
Michigan is outscoring teams 76-62 this season. The Wolverines are #24 in scoring. Michigan is shooting 49% from the field and 38.5% from 3 point range. The Wolverines are in the top 25 nationally in both categories. Michigan makes 71.1% from the free throw line. Michigan averages 35.2 rebounds per game and gives up 29.2 per game. Michigan opponents are shooting 41.8% from the field and 32.6% from 3 point range. The Wolverines are averaging 15 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocks and 9 turnovers.
Michigan guards Trey Burke averages 19.1 points, 6.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. Guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. averages 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Guard Nik Stauskas averages 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Forward Glenn Robinson III averages 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Forward Mitch McGary averages 6.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1 steal and 0.6 blocks a game to lead the team. Forward Jordan Morgan averages 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. Caris LaVert and Jon Horford also get significant minutes.
Indiana is 6-2 ATS after a loss, and 2-6 after failing to cover. The Hoosiers are 14-5 ATS in the last 19 against Michigan. The over is 4-1 in the last 5 in this series, but 8 of the last 11 in Ann Arbor have gone under the total.
Michigan is 6-2 ATS against teams with winning road records, 1-8 overall, and against Big Ten teams, 1-6 after failing to cover, 1-5 against teams with winning records, and 1-4 after a win. The home team is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 in this series.
With the Big ten title and a possible #1 seed in both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments on the line, this game should be intense. I expect a physical battle. Indiana had a chance to clinch the Big ten Tuesday night at home at Ohio State but couldn’t get the job done. Now they must go on the road to hostile Ann Arbor. It won’t be easy, but I like Indiana to pull out a gritty road win.
