Michigan Looks to Continue Improbable Run towards the Final Four

One Midwest Region’s Sweet 16 matchup features the No. 7 seeded Michigan Wolverines playing the No. 3 seeded Oregon Ducks. The current line has Michigan favored by 1.5 points with the over/under point total on 147.

Entering this game, Michigan is 9-1 straight up and 7-3 against the spread in its past 10 games, while Oregon is 9-1 SU and 5-5 ATS in its past 10. This semifinal will be played at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Michigan defeated Oklahoma State in its opening game followed by a huge victory over the Louisville Cardinals to reach the Sweet 16. Oregon opened its tournament with a win over Iona and then defeated a stubborn Rhode Island team to reach this game.

Michigan played nearly flawless during the second half to beat Louisville 73-69 on Sunday. The Wolverines trailed by 9 points during the second half but outscored the Cardinals 17-6 to get back into the contest. Moritz Wagner scored 26 for Michigan. In the Wolverines opener, the 6-foot-11 forward scored just 6 points.

Leading scorer for Michigan, Derrick Walton Jr. scored just 10 points in a poor performance, but prior to Sunday’s game scored 22 points or more in three straight games.

Michigan is averaging 75.1 points per game which is No. 123 in the nation, while allowing an average of 66.2 points per game which is No. 45 in the country.

Oregon used a 15-6 run at the end of the game to rally and beat Rhode Island by 3 points. Tyler Dorsey scored 26 points. Dorsey has scored 21 or more points in five consecutive games.

Dillon Brooks the top player for the Ducks scored 19 points and grabbed an important five rebounds on the offensive boards. Brooks has scored 18 or more points in 12 of his past 14 games.

Oregon averages 79.4 points per game which is No. 44 in the nation, while allowing 65.6 points per game, which is No. 36 in the nation.

Michigan is 1-3-1 ATS in its past 5 games versus opponents from the Pac-12.

Oregon is 16-7 ATS in tis past 23 games played.

Prediction: Michigan has played like a team possessed. The Wolverines could be the dark horse of the tournament and could reach the Final Four. Lean here toward Michigan covering and winning outright.