The Michigan Wolverines are one of the hottest teams in the country, as they just knocked off Big Ten powerhouses Michigan State and Purdue to win the conference tournament. Michigan would have made the NCAA men’s basketball tournament either way but has really improved its seeding with a great finish to the season.
The No. 3 seed Wolverines will face off against the No. 14 Montana Grizzlies in the first round of March Madness. Montana dominated the Big Sky this season and has a solid overall record, so it’s no pushover. However, the large step up in competition will make this a tough one.
Michigan will be a solid favorite in this showdown, so keep an eye on where the NCAA basketball spread comes in for this one.
Don't miss the hardwood action from Intrust Bank Arena at 9:50 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on TBS.
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Odds Analysis
Michigan is 28-7 straight up and 22-11-1 against the spread. The Wolverines have played in seven neutral site games on the year, covering in five of them. Michigan is 15-9-1 against the spread as the favorite on the season. The Wolverines have covered the spread in three consecutive contests.
Montana is 26-7 straight up and 19-11-1 against the spread. The Grizzlies have not fared as well in neutral site games, covering in only one of five attempts. Montana has only been the underdog five times this year, covering in three of them.
Player To Watch
Ahmaad Rorie — Montana will be looking for a big game from its junior guard in this one. The Grizzlies’ leading scorer is averaging 17.2 points per game coming into the tournament while adding 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. Rorie is shooting 42.5 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from three-point range and 84.8 percent from the free throw line.
He has averaged more than 17 points per game for each of the past two years and will undoubtedly be ready to shine in this big stage. He had 30 points and five assists in a win over North Dakota on March 8.
Rorie had 15 points and five assists in the Big Sky Tournament championship game to help Montana knock off Eastern Washington and secure its berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Key Stat
9. That’s the number of wins in a row Michigan has reeled off heading into the tournament. The Big Ten was stacked with top-tier teams this season and yet it was the Wolverines who outlasted everyone to win the conference tournament title.
Michigan’s run began with a regular season win over Wisconsin. It later added a big-time home win over No. 8 Ohio State. The Wolverines had a really tough draw in the Big Ten tournament yet breezed through it. Michigan knocked off No. 2 Michigan State in the semifinals by a score of 75-64. It then beat No. 8 Purdue in the Big Ten tournament title game by a score of 75-66.
Everything is coming together for the Wolverines and they are hoping this hot streak continues and becomes a long run in the NCAA Tournament.
Free NCAA ATS Picks
Michigan doesn’t get the easiest first-round draw as Montana was a very successful team at a lower level this year. The Wolverines should eventually pull away and win this game, but look for the Grizzlies to hang around until halftime.
Keep an eye on where the spread checks in because Montana is good enough to cover if it is given enough points. The Grizzlies are a particularly good choice on March Madness Basketball 1st half odds because they should be able to keep this one close for the first 20 minutes.
NCAA Odds: Michigan 81, Montana 70
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