Michigan vs Indiana Odds, Lines, and Spread

• The Indiana Hoosiers 12-11, 7-9 Big Ten) host the Michigan Wolverines (17-1, 12-1 Big Ten) Saturday, Feb. 27
• IU is imploding, having dropped three of its last four, while Michigan just knocked off Iowa
• Read below for odds, analysis, and our best bet for this matchup

The Indiana Hoosiers (12-11, 7-9 Big Ten), whom head coach Archie Miller said looked fractured after their loss to Rutgers Wednesday, host the Michigan Wolverines (17-1, 12-1 Big Ten) Saturday, Feb. 27, in Bloomington. Tip is set for noon ET at Assembly Hall.

The Hoosiers turned the ball over 13 times and saw 10 of their shots blocked in a 74-63 loss to the Scarlet Knights that had Miller searching for answers. Meantime, the Maize and Blue backed up their statement win over Ohio State Sunday with another statement victory Thursday. Juwan Howard’s team blew out Iowa 79-57

Now, the red-hot Wolverines enter Saturday’s tilt as road favorites over the wounded Hoosiers.

Michigan vs Indiana Odds

Odds as of Feb. 26 at FanDuel.

Shutdown Corner

After dispatching the Buckeyes in a high-scoring heavyweight tussle, the Wolverines shut down the nation’s top offense to the tune of only 28 second-half points in a 22-point walloping. Sophomore wing Franz Wagner finished with a game-high 21 points on an uber-efficient 9-of-12 shooting performance, adding four assists.

When the 6-foot-9 Berlin product is rolling the way he did against Iowa, there aren’t many opponents who can match up with him. But what was truly impressive about the win was how Howard’s club stopped Iowa from scoring.

Entering the week, the fewest points Iowa had scored in a half all season was 31. The Hawkeyes didn’t hit that number in either half against Michigan. Meantime, Wooden and Naismith Award favorite Luka Garza struggled, putting up only 14 points (ten below his average) on 6-of-19 shooting. Iowa shot that same paltry total — 6-for-19 — from 3-point range for the game.

If the Maize and Blue bring a similar defensive effort to Assembly Hall, Miller may want to start considering options for next year outside Bloomington.

Troubling Trend

Miller pointed out after the 11-point loss to Rutgers — which IU had a 15-point lead in at one point — that his team defense has crumbled in the second half. In the home game against Michigan State and on the road against Rutgers, the once-scrappy Hoosiers lost their tightness and surrendered leads to ultimately come up short.

Seemingly not competing in crunch time is a troubling trend, especially for a squad that was on the NCAA Tournament bubble less than a week ago. But after these last two outings, you have to question the mental state of the program.

Another troubling development is the status of sophomore guard Armaan Franklin, the team’s second leading scorer. He aggravated a sore left ankle late in the first half and did not return.

Meantime, it was the same ol’ story of late for guards Rob Phinisee and Khristian Lander. Both were healthy, but neither contributed literally anything — combining to score zero points on a combined 0-of-10 shooting.

The lone standout, as has been the case for the majority of the season, was the play of Trayce Jackson-Davis. The sophomore post had 21. But after contending with defensive standout Myles Johnson, TJD has to contend with another formidable opponent in the paint Saturday.

The Hunter Dickinson

The 7-foot-1 Dickinson has been sensational for the Wolverines all season—a seven-time Freshman of the Week award winner, and the runaway leader for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Now, the Alexandria, Virginia product gets another test in Bloomington facing Jackson-Davis. The phenom shouldn’t be intimidated; he’s passed every one this season so far.

Hunter Dickinson told Garza NO 🤚 🚫 pic.twitter.com/bjm2DbMhaF

— ESPN (@espn) February 26, 2021

In the first half against Iowa and Garza, the freshman got the better of the senior, as Dickinson scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting, while grabbing three rebounds. Garza was limited to seven points on 3-of-11 shooting, and was held without a rebound.

After the break, Dickinson’s minutes were limited by his foul trouble, and he finished with 14 points (6-of-13 shooting), eight rebounds and two blocks. But the performance spoke for itself, and Dickinson is now statistically one of the best players in college basketball.

Even without Dickinson on the floor the talented Michigan defense neutralized Garza. I expect a similar outcome Saturday facing TJD.

Ultimately, Indiana has too many issues to expect an upset in this spot. I’m riding the Wolverines here.

The pick: Michigan -8 (-110)