Busting Brackets
Fansided

Michigan vs. Iowa: 2018-19 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Joe Cook-Shugart

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - JANUARY 25: John Beilein the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines gives instructions to his team against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on January 25, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - JANUARY 25: John Beilein the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines gives instructions to his team against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on January 25, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Two teams heading in different directions in the Big Ten will duke it out on Friday, when Michigan makes the trek to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes.

TV Schedule: Friday, February 1st, 7:00 pm EST, Fox Sports 1
Arena: Carver–Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa

Coming off a blowout home victory over the rival Buckeyes, the Michigan Wolverines will look to stay hot Friday evening, as they brave the arctic chill to hit the road to Iowa to face the Hawkeyes. No. 5 Michigan (20-1, 9-1) is visiting Iowa (16-5, 5-5) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and this is a tale of two teams who have had a distinctly contrasting past couple games.

As mentioned above, the Wolverines are coming off a scintillating performance against Ohio State, one which featured a turnover-free triple-double by point guard Zavier Simpson. This win was preceded by a 23-point victory over Indiana in Bloomington, during which Michigan blitzed the Hoosiers with a 17-0 lead to start the game.

On the flip side, the Hawkeyes have suffered back-to-back defeats coming into this game. The first was a home game against Michigan State, which featured the Hawkeyes blowing a halftime lead after being outscored by the Spartans 51-32 in the second half. The second was a tough road loss to Minnesota during which Iowa made a valiant effort to overcome a 9-point halftime deficit, but fell short.

The style of play with which the Wolverines and Hawkeyes play is conflicting. The Hawkeyes play a bit more up-tempo basketball (85th in KenPom adjusted tempo) with a distinct strength on the offensive side of the ball (8th in adjusted offensive efficiency, compared to 126th in adjusted defensive efficiency). The Wolverines, on the other hand, like to slow the pace (316th in adjusted tempo) and grind games out with one of the top defenses in the country. Whatever team better controls the pace of play in this game is likely to come out victorious.

Next. Big Ten Power Rankings. dark

At the end of the day, I believe the Hawkeyes porous defense will bite them against a Michigan team that is efficient on both sides of the ball. Look for the Wolverines to eek out a close win to extended their winning streak, as well as Iowa’s losing streak.

Prediction: Michigan – 72, Iowa – 68

Home/Iowa Hawkeyes