Michigan Wolverines vs Iowa Hawkeyes: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA

When: Friday, February 1st at 7:00 PM EST

How (TV): Fox Sports 1

Michigan Wolverines (Away)

Head Coach: John Beilein {Overall: 20-1 .952 W/L% |Conference: 9-1, 1st Big Ten}

When the Michigan Wolverines take on the Iowa Hawkeyes they will be playing to their strengths. They are one of the nations most fearsome defensive teams and maintain effective and opportune shooting.

The Wolverines will be lead by Canadian and Big Ten Freshman of the Week Ignas Brazdeikis. Not only is he leading the team in scoring, but he is doing so efficiently from the field while contributing on the defensive glass as well.

The Wolverines will be taking on a hungry Iowa team who are clawing at the opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament. Iowa is a capable offensive team that can both attack the paint as well as score from the perimeter. Michigan will have to be careful when committing themselves so as not to be overexposed in either area.

Iowa Hawkeyes (Home)

Head Coach: Fran McCaffery {Overall: 16-5 .762 W/L% |Conference: Conference: 5-5, 7th in Big Ten}

Iowa have struggled when facing the Big Ten. After a three game losing streak to Big Ten competition, Iowa faces another test in the Michigan Wolverines. They will be in it tough against the vaunted Michigan defence, but are yet to show that they have the offensive weapons that can break down the Wolverine opposition.

While Iowa’s schedule has not been kind to them, they don’t get a reprieve until after Michigan and the following match against Indiana. The Hawkeyes are still seventh in the Big Ten and are projected to be a sixth seed for the upcoming tournament.

After consecutive losses, many within Iowa were questioning head coach Fran McCaffery’s ability to lead this team into the future. They did take some lessons in their losses however, as in their loss to Michigan State the Hawkeyes showed some improved defensive organization. If they can combine that effort with their already capable offence, Michigan will be in for a tough night.

Michigan Roster Notes

F Kevin Halmet – 15 Nov 2018 – (Ankle) is out indefinitely.

Iowa Roster Notes

F Cordell Pemsl – 18 Dec 2018 – (knee) is out for the season.

G CJ Fredrick – 11 Nov 2018 – (redshirt) is out for the season.

F Jack Nunge – 11 Nov 2018 – (redshirt) is out for the season.

Head-to-Head: Ignas Brazdeikis vs Tyler Cook

Ignas Brazdeikis

Forward | 6-7, 215lb (201cm, 97kg) | Orangeville Prep | Mono, ON, Canada | Freshman

15.1 PPG | 1.0 APG | 5.5 RPG | 0.8 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 1.2 TOV | .467 FG% | .371 3P%

Tyler Cook

Forward | 6-9, 253lb (206cm, 114kg) | Chaminade College Preparatory School | St. Louis, MO | Junior

16.6 PPG | 2.7 APG | 8.1 RPG | 0.7 SPG | BPG | TOV | . FG% | . 3P%

The high scorers for Michigan and Iowa get their baskets in very different ways. Brazdeikis is a strong forward with ability to score on the inside and outside. Cook is a talented post scorer, who has shown the ability to get to the basket on his own from the free-throw line extended.

The reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week Ignas Brazdeikis has been incredibly reliable for the Wolverines so far this season. Not only is he a force on the inside due to his handle and his size, he is a reliable three-point shooter at 37% (1.2-3.3 3PA). Don’t be surprised to see Brazdeikis take on a more individualistic role, in hopes of breaking down the Michigan defence.

Tyler Cook is an impressive athletic forward who uses his energy on both the offensive and defensive end. While he lacks the shooting range needed by the modern forward, his savvy post offence and ability to put the ball on the floor make up for his shortcomings from three. Michigan likes to collapse on driving players, if Cook has the awareness to make the correct passes Iowa can force the Michigan defence into a scramble.

Michigan Wolverines at Iowa Hawkeyes Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Michigan Wolverines favoured over the Iowa Hawkeyes by 3.5, with an over/under of 110.