One of the five undefeated teams in college basketball will take center stage tonight in the Jumpman Invitational as we dive into my Oklahoma vs. Michigan predictions.
Round one of this double-header last night was entertaining when Florida held off North Carolina, and we should be in store for another good one here. Michigan may have a worse record, but it has a slightly more impressive overall resume and will come into this one-off loss against Arkansas. As for the Sooners, they notched a decisive win over in-state rival Oklahoma State before this one.
Read on for my college basketball picks for Wednesday, December 18.
Oklahoma vs Michigan prediction
My best bet
Over 148.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
If Oklahoma had its choice, it would likely want most of its games to look as ugly as its Baha Mar Championship game when it beat Louisville 69-64. However, it's shown the ability to grab victories in different ways – in the game before that when it dispatched Arizona in a high-scoring thriller. I suspect we will see a game that looks more like that, and I'm grabbing the Over here as my best bet. I made the number 151.5.
Each of these teams should be able to struggle to slow the other down. The Michigan drop coverage seems like a nightmare against Jeremiah Fears.
The freshman has been sensational to begin the season and is a big reason the Sooners are undefeated. He'll come into this game as the most consistent scoring option, but what's more significant to this matchup is his advantage. It makes sense, but Michigan has struggled to defend ball-screen maestros like Fears. It's a big reason why they lost the game to Arkansas. Guards Boogie Fland and DJ Wagner combined for nearly 40 points – Fears may be a better ball-screen manipulator than either of them. I expect him to do damage and open up the floor for the rest of his teammates, which should help OU do its part.
On the other side of the ball, unless Michigan turns it over a ton, they'll have multiple advantages in the halfcourt. As you might expect, the Wolverines' two-big lineups have owned the offensive glass and rank 30th in offensive rebounding nationally. That will be an issue for an Oklahoma team that has been below average to average on the glass, which means second-chance points for Michigan.
The real last thing to consider here is whether the Wolverines can play at the breakneck speed they want to. As I mentioned earlier, if Oklahoma had its preference, it would like to play a dragged-out slugfest. However, I think there are enough advantages for both teams in transition that will enable us to see over 70 possessions, and that should be enough for this total to get home.
Oklahoma vs Michigan same-game parlay
Over 148.5
Jeremiah Fears Over 15.5 pts
As noted earlier, Jeremiah Fears has a direct root in scoring in this game. The midrange game or beyond the arc is where he thrives, and the drop coverage of the Michigan defense will dictate that he takes his shots from there.
In addition to that, he'll benefit significantly from this game getting out in transition, which it stands a distinct possibility of doing. I paired him with my best bet for this same-game parlay.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Oklahoma vs Michigan odds
Oklahoma vs Michigan live odds
Oklahoma vs Michigan opening odds
- Spread: Oklahoma +2.5 | Michigan -2.5
- Moneyline: Oklahoma +120 | Michigan -140
- Over/Under: Over 151 | Under 151
Odds courtesy of bet365
Oklahoma vs Michigan betting trend to know
Michigan has hit the Team Total Under in 23 of their last 31 games (+13.85 Units / 39% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Oklahoma vs. Michigan.
How to watch Oklahoma vs Michigan
| Location: | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC |
| Date: | Wednesday, 12-18-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN 2 |
Oklahoma vs Michigan key injuries
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