The Michigan Wolverines will take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The game is scheduled for a 12:15 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CBS. The college basketball odds for the game have the Wolverines favored to pick up the victory.

College Basketball Odds
Michigan -2.5
Total: 153.5 points

Both Oklahoma State and Michigan rank inside the Top 5 nationally in offensive defensive efficiency numbers. The Pokes top that list, Michigan ranks fifth. The difference could be the emergence of Michigan’s defense the past month or so, where the Wolverines have really buckled down and played well on that side of the basketball.

Michigan is red hot as well, winning the Big Ten Tournament after their incident with the plane. The Wolverines rallied around the trouble and stormed through the Big Ten, beating Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota and Wisconsin in consecutive days to claim the title. Derrick Walton Jr. has played like the Big Ten’s best point guard the last month and Michigan’s band of brothers includes great play from Mo Wagner, D.J. Wilson and Zak Irvin.

Oklahoma State loves to get up and down the floor, they play at a much faster pace than Michigan does. The Cowboys average 85.5 points per game, which is Top 10 in the country, but the Wolverines are not going to let them run like that.

Michigan is one of the best teams in the country in the turnover department. The Wolverines are tied with Notre Dame in giving up just 9.4 turnovers per game. Only Virginia and Houston join them as teams that have single-digit turnover numbers per game. Possession of the basketball is a huge priority for the Wolverines and if they are able to dictate the style of play, they will win here.

Michigan might be a bit overrated because of the recent run, but there’s something to be said for a team that is playing so well.

Free Pick: Michigan

 Oklahoma St. Vs. Michigan (Betting NCAA Basketball)

A historically great offense Vs. an overrated team? handicapped by Pro Bettor Brad Powers - with Steve Fezzik from the Pregame.com Studios in Las Vegas. Get his NCAA College Basketball Free Pick: Oklahoma St. Vs. Michigan

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