Michigan vs Iowa Prediction 3/5/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Michigan Wolverines and the Iowa Hawkeyes will meet on Thursday night in a Big Ten matchup at Carver‑Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview

The Michigan Wolverines enter Thursday evening’s contest with a 27–2 win‑loss record, including a 17-1 mark in conference play and an undefeated 10-0 record on the road. Michigan has posted wins over Oakland, Wake Forest, TCU, Maryland, Rutgers, Middle Tennessee and San Diego State, while losing to the Wisconsin Badgers and the Duke Blue Devils.

Earlier this season, in the Michigan Wolverines 81–71 victory over the Oregon Ducks, Michigan guard Nimari Burnett tallied 15 points (6 of 10 shooting from the field), 12 rebounds, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block showcasing his ability to play at a high level.

The Michigan Wolverines are averaging 89 points (4th in country) on 51 percent shooting from the field (6th in nation) per game. Shifting our focus to the defensive side of the basketball, the Wolverines are allowing opponents 68.7 points per contest which ranks 45th in the country.

Sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. is averaging 14 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 block per game. Junior guard Elliot Cadeau contributes 10 points and 2.9 assists per game, while senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. adds 9.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2 assists per contest. Center Aday Mara provides interior scoring and rebounding for the Wolverines. Mara is averaging 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes enter Tuesday’s contest with a 20–9 record, including a 10-8 mark in conference play and a rather impressive 15-2 record at home. The Hawkeyes have amassed wins over Western Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, Mississippi and Maryland, while losing to Michigan State, Maryland, UCLA and the Purdue Boilermakers.

In the Iowa Hawkeyes 83–64 win over the Maryland Terrapins earlier this season, Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz tallied 25 points on 10 of 17 from the field and 4 of 8 shooting from three-point range demonstrating his ability to lead the Hawkeyes offense.

The Iowa Hawkeyes average 75.7 points on 49.5 percent shooting from the field (18th in country) and 35.5 percent shooting from three‑point range per game. Defensively, the Hawkeyes are allowing opponents 65 points per game which ranks tenth in the nation.

Senior guard Bennett Stirtz leads the Iowa Hawkeyes averaging 20.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Freshman forward Cooper Koch adds 6.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest, while senior guard Tavion Banks averages 10.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1 steal per game.

Why the Michigan Wolverines will win

• Frontcourt play. Michigan center Aday Mara has been solid in the paint. Mara is averaging 10.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

• Ability to win on the road. The Michigan Wolverines are an undefeated 10-0 on the road this season.

• Balanced scoring. Michigan has three players averaging over 10 points per game.

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

• Home court edge. The Iowa Hawkeyes have compiled a 15–2 record at home this season.

•Backcourt play. Senior guard Bennett Stirtz leads the Iowa Hawkeyes averaging 20.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

Michigan Wolverines vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction

Iowa’s 14–2 home record and reliable perimeter scoring give the Hawkeyes a clear path to staying inside this number (8.5) here. The Michigan Wolverines enter this contest as the superior overall team, but Iowa’s exceptional play at home makes this a far tougher spot than the current betting market suggests in that regard. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the Iowa Hawkeyes plus the 9.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes +9.5