Michigan vs. Oregon Prediction
No. 7 Michigan looks to continue its Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament when it faces No. 3 Oregon in the Sweet 16 at 7:09PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Michigan is the slim favorite in this game, as the Wolverines are getting odds of -1.5 points against the Ducks. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 147 points. These two met in 2014 with Michigan getting a 70-63 win. This game will take part in the Midwest Region and air on CBS from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Michigan is on a seven-game winning streak entering tonight, including wins over Oklahoma State and Louisville last weekend. The Wolverines are now 26-11 overall and 17-17 against the spread. On the season, Michigan is averaging 75.2 points per game on offense while allowing 66.3 on defense. Over its last five games, Michigan puts up 78.8 per game on offense, but allowing 72.6 on defense. Derrick Walton Jr. has been leading the team. He averages 15.4 points and 4.9 assists per game. During this win streak, Walton is averaging 19.4 points and 8.3 assists per game while totaling just 13 turnovers. Moritz Wagner is averaging 12.2 points per game this season as well and is coming off a 26-point effort in the win over Louisville.
Oregon is coming off a 75-72 win over Rhode Island last weekend to reach the Sweet 16. The Ducks are now 31-5 on the season while going 20-15 against the spread. The Ducks average 79 points per game on offense while allowing 65.9 on defense. Over their last five games they average 80.2 points on offense while giving up 70.8 on defense. The team was concerned after losing Chris Boucher to a knee injury. He was averaging 11.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game before getting injured. Still, Dillon Brooks is healthy and leading the team with 16.4 points per game. He has 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament thus far. Tyler Dorsey has been on a real hot streak. He has scored at least 21 points in five straight and is averaging 25.5 points and 5 rebounds per game in the NCAA Tournament.
Oregon isn’t 100 percent, but the Ducks have still looked pretty good. Certainly Michigan has as well, but the Wolverines have been better in the underdog role as opposed to the favorite. Now, many are expecting Michigan to win and I don’t think that’s a good fit for them. The Wolverines are still not a deep team and too reliant on starters. Foul trouble or an injury could really impact this game. I like Oregon’s consistency over the season and their athleticism to be too much for the Wolverines tonight.
MARCH MADNESS PREDICTION: OREGON +1.5