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The Michigan Wolverines will look to continue their recent success against the Iowa Hawkeyes when they meet in a key Big Ten Conference matchup on Thursday night. The Wolverines (9-6, 3-1 Big Ten), who have won two of three overall, have beaten Iowa in four of the past six meetings. The teams split last year's series with Michigan winning 84-79 in Iowa City, Iowa, before losing 82-71 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Hawkeyes (10-6, 2-3), who defeated Rutgers 76-65 on Sunday, have won back-to-back games for the first time since winning five in a row to start the season.

The game from Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City will tip off at 7 p.m. ET. Michigan is averaging 74.9 points per game, while Iowa averages 81.4. The Hawkeyes are 5.5-point favorites in the latest Michigan vs. Iowa odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 156.5. Before making any Iowa vs. Michigan picks, be sure to check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 9 of the season 34-18 on all-top rated college basketball picks, returning more than $1,000 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen profitable returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Michigan vs. Iowa and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Iowa vs. Michigan:

  • Michigan vs. Iowa spread: Iowa -5.5 
  • Michigan vs. Iowa over/under: 156.5 points 
  • Michigan vs. Iowa money line: Michigan +190, Iowa -230
  • MICH: The Wolverines are 36-14-1 against the spread in their last 51 games following an ATS loss 
  • IOWA: The Hawkeyes are 41-20-3 ATS in their last 64 home games 
  • Michigan vs. Iowa picks: See picks here

Why Iowa can cover

Junior guard Tony Perkins is one of four Hawkeyes averaging double-digit scoring. He is averaging 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He has reached double-figure scoring in 10 games, including a season-high 18-points in an 83-67 win at Seton Hall on Nov. 16. He scored 17 points in an 83-79 loss at Penn State on Jan. 1.

Sophomore Payton Sandfort is coming off a 22-point performance in the win at Rutgers on Sunday. It was his second game in a row in which he hit double-digit scoring as he also had 11 points against Indiana last Thursday. For the season, Sandfort averages 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists. His season high was a 24-point, seven-rebound effort in a 106-75 win over SE Missouri State on Dec. 17.

Why Michigan can cover 

Junior center Hunter Dickinson continues to be a force for the Wolverines as he is averaging 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and one assist per game. He is also connecting on 56.7% of his shots from the floor, including 37.5% from 3-point range and 72% from the free-throw line. He has three double-doubles on the season, including a 32-point, 12-rebound effort in an 81-46 win over Maryland on Jan. 1.

Freshman guard Jett Howard is off to a fast start to his collegiate career, averaging 14.3 points, three rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He has reached double-figure scoring in 13 of 15 games, including a season-high 21 points in a 75-56 win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Nov. 7. Howard has a team-best 36 3-pointers, which is second in the Big Ten, and has made two or more threes in 13 of 15 games. He is 10 of 10 from the free-throw line over the last three games.

How to make Michigan vs. Iowa picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the point total, with just four total players projected to reach double-figures. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that cashes in almost 60% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine. 

So who wins Iowa vs. Michigan? And which side of the spread cashes in almost 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Michigan vs. Iowa spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has seen profitable returns on its college basketball picks this season, and find out.