The Ball State Cardinals (0-1) visit the Michigan Wolverines (2-0) for a Wednesday night nonconference affair. The BSU-UM tilt at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., is slated for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Ball State-Michigan college basketball betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Ball State at Michigan: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Ball State +950 (bet $100 to win $950) | Michigan -2000 (bet $2,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Ball State +14.5 (+100) | Michigan -14.5 (-121)
- Over/Under: 143.5 (O: +105 | U: -129)
Ball State at Michigan: Three things to know
- Ball State is coming off a season-opening 1-point setback against Northern Kentucky (74-73, Nov. 25). Senior G K.J. Walton registered a career-high 28 points (and 11 rebounds) in the defeat. The Cardinals went 18-13 in 2019-20, winning the Mid-American Conference West Division along the way.
- Michigan survived an overtime score in its last game. The Wolverines scuffled in the second half of an eventual 81-71 victory over Oakland (Mich.) Sunday. Senior F Isaiah Livers logged 22 points on an 8-for-12 shooting performance. Livers also had four blocks in the game.
- The Wolverines were tagged with 20 turnovers in their non-cover against Oakland (UM was favored by 21.5 points). That marked Michigan’s most miscues in a game since Nov. 27, 2019 (22 vs. Iowa State). The Wolverines ranked third in the Big Ten last year, committing just 10.7 turnovers per game.
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Ball State at Michigan: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Michigan 83, Ball State 64
Money line (ML)
STEER CLEAR of the extra juice here.
Against the spread (ATS)
Michigan is 5-1 over its last six home games when favored by 10-16 points. The Wolverines have been giving solid rotation minutes to a few underclassmen, so look for a sharper performance now that the first couple games and the holiday weekend are in the rearview mirror. The schedule ratchets up to a higher level next week and head coach Juwan Howard‘s squad was impressive in two ATS wins in a similar scenario last year.
Look for Ball State to struggle on the glass and in creating enough turnovers to make any sustained runs. GIVE THE POINTS; TAKE THE WOLVERINES -14.5 (-121).
Over/Under (O/U)
Again, looking back to last year’s “tune-up week,” Michigan’s offense was sharp and Ball State isn’t a third-rate foe the Wolverines will hold under 50. BACK THE OVER 143.5 (+105).
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