The No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines (21-4) take on the No. 8 seed LSU Tigers (19-9) Monday in an East Region second-round battle at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Michigan-LSU odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.
The Wolverines breezed to an 82-66 win over Texas Southern in the first round, as they avoided the pitfalls which claimed some of their Big Ten brethren in the opening days of the NCAA Tournament. Still, this team is learning to play without senior F Isaiah Livers, who was lost during the Big Ten tourney due to a long-term foot injury. Michigan enters this game just 3-3 SU/2-4 ATS, and it’s on a 9-3 Under run.
Michigan vs. LSU: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:49 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Michigan -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | LSU +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread/ATS: Michigan -5 (-110) | LSU +5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 148.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Michigan vs. LSU: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
LSU 80, Michigan 77
Money line (ML)
Back LSU (+180) for the upset. The Tigers picked up an emphatic 76-61 win over St. Bonaventure in Saturday’s first round. Freshman G Cameron Thomas led the way with a game-high 27 points, while three Tigers – junior F Darius Days (13 points, 11 rebounds), sophomore G Aundre Hyatt (13 points, 10 rebounds) and sophomore F Trendon Watford (11 points, 11 rebounds) – recorded double-doubles.
The Wolverines have had trouble adjusting to life without Livers, similar to how Villanova has looked completely different without star Colin Gillespie. Taking a major player out of the starting five, especially this late in the season, is a major disruption. The Wolverines just haven’t been hitting on all gears lately. Michigan will join Illinois and Ohio State in the “Big Ten Loser’s Lounge.”
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Against the spread (ATS)
LSU +5 (-110) is a team which goes to the free-throw line frequently, as its big bodies create a lot of contact. The Tigers were ninth in the country in scoring (81.9 PPG), and they registered 447 total made free throws to rank eighth. On defense, the Tigers allow just 29.6% in opponents’ 3-point shooting, good for 16th in the land.
The Wolverines have taken on a completely differently complexion without Livers. Sure, they breezed past Texas Southern, but beating a SWAC team isn’t the same as facing an SEC team with a high-octane attack with size.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 148.5 (-110) is the slight lean based upon LSU’s offense. Michigan is no slouch at the offensive end, either, hitting for 76.5 PPG to rank 16th in the regular season. The big matchup will be Michigan’s 3-point shooting, which ranks 12th overall at 38.6%, against LSU’s 3-pointer defense. The Wolverines will still get theirs, win or lose, and we’ll have plenty of points.
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