Michigan Wolverines vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Western Kentucky vs Michigan NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Ann Arbor.

Western Kentucky vs Michigan Prediction

Looking to win big? The Hilltoppers and Wolverines face off at 8:00 ET on BTN. The Wolverines are hosting the game at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 158.5 points, with Michigan being favored by -18.5 over Western Kentucky.

Western Kentucky vs. Michigan Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Michigan Wolverines
Where: Ann Arbor at Crisler Center
Date: Sunday, December 29th
Betting Odds MICH -18.5, WKENT +1116 | MICH -2823 O/U 158.5

Hilltoppers Preview: Will Western Kentucky Pull Through as the Underdog Road Team?

Western Kentucky improved to 7-3 on the season with an 86-73 win over Seattle on Tuesday. Playing at home, the Hilltoppers entered the game as 6.5-point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game reached 159, surpassing the O/U line of 149.5.

Western Kentucky led 38-32 at halftime and pulled away in the 2nd half, outscoring Seattle 48-41.

Hilltoppers Offense Breakdown

Western Kentucky's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 86 points while shooting 59.2% from the field. They were especially lethal from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 20 threes for a 60% shooting percentage, contributing to an effective field goal percentage of 71.4%.

Don McHenry led the way with 28 points, shooting 75% overall and 80% from three. The Hilltoppers dished out 18 assists, with Paris Dawson contributing 6 despite struggling with his shot, going 1 for 7 from deep.

Hilltoppers Team Defense

Western Kentucky's defense struggled, giving up 73 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 59% from the field. They couldn't contain the three-point line, where their opponent hit 12 of 20 attempts for 60%.

Inside the arc, Western Kentucky allowed 58% shooting on two-point attempts, with their opponent making 17 of 29 shots. They also sent them to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 16 free throws.

Wolverines Preview: Can the Wolverines Secure a Win at Home?

The Wolverines improved to 9-3 on the season with an 89-58 win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday. Michigan, playing at home, entered the game as -20.5 favorites and covered the spread with the victory.

Michigan jumped out to a 54-29 lead at halftime and held the Mastodons to 29 points in the 2nd half while scoring 35. The game’s total points of 147 fell short of the 161.5 O/U line.

Wolverines Offense Breakdown

Michigan's offense was on fire in their last game, putting up 89 points with a field goal percentage of 62.7%. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 71.2%, thanks to 71.1% shooting on two-pointers and 47.6% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 threes.

Jalen Jackson led the way with 27 points, while Tre Donaldson added 16 points and 6 rebounds. Roddy Gayle Jr. and Vladislav Goldin both shot 85.7%, with Gayle also contributing 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Michigan finished with 21 assists as a team.

Wolverines Team Defense

Even with Michigan's defense allowing 58 points, their opponents shot an impressive 62% from the field, making 37 of 59 shots. Inside the arc, they were particularly effective, hitting 71% of their two-point attempts, going 27 for 38.

From three-point range, Michigan's defense gave up 10 threes on 21 attempts, with their opponents shooting 47%. They also sent them to the free-throw line 6 times, where they made 5 free throws, shooting 83%.

Hilltoppers vs Wolverines Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past three road matchups, Western Kentucky has an ATS record of 3-0 while averaging 73 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
Although Michigan has a straight up record of 3-7 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 3-7. The team averaged 67 points per game in these games.
Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the Hilltoppers have a strong record vs the spread going 4-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-4.
The last ten games that Michigan was favored, they have an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 7-3 straight up.