What is going on at the University of Michigan this year? So far, the Wolverines have a decent record of 7-3, but that masks a ranking of #84 in ESPN Analytics’ BPI. This is a team that made it to the Sweet 16 last year, but the only player back from that team who averaged over 20 minutes a game is Hunter Dickinson. Coach Juwan Howard got the 13th-best recruiting class in the nation, but this year’s team permits 0.87 points per possession, which ranks 208th among Division I programs. They only get defensive boards on 72% of opponent misses (193rd overall). They are dead last in the nation in turnover percentage (13%). They did show promise when they lost to Kentucky and Virginia by a total of six points, but we’ll know a lot more about their prospects after they face North Carolina later this week. Meanwhile, check out our NCAA Basketaball betting picks for December 20.
NCAA News: Top Basketball Picks for December 20
Duke Blue Devils (-7.5) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (O/U 141.5) (6:30 pm ET)
Duke (10-2) brings a four-game winning streak into this ACC showdown. That streak includes a nine-point win over Ohio State and a 12-point win over Iowa. Most recently, they routed Maryland Eastern Shore, 82-5, but they failed to cover a 30-point spread. They also beat Boston College in their ACC opener. Freshman center Kyle Filipowski has two double-doubles in his last three games but has struggled against elite opponents. He is averaging 14.8 points per game and 9.2 boards per game. Jeremy Roach put up 22 points against Iowa but has failed to shoot at least 40% in three of his last four games. Interestingly, this trip across the Research Triangle is Duke’s first true road game of the season. Expect the Duke defense to carry them here, as they rank 15th in the nation, permitting just 58.7 points per game.
Wake Forest (8-4) has dropped three of their last four, with the only win a 67-66 nailbiter at home over Appalachian State. They opened ACC play with a loss to Clemson and got run out of the gym at Rutgers on Saturday, losing 81-57. Senior guard Tyree Appleby is the team’s top scoring threat, with at least 20 points in five different games, averaging 18.0 points per contest overall and shooting 51.9% from the floor. Guard Cameron Hildreth put up 13 in the loss on Saturday, but he has shot no better than 45% from the flor in four straight games. Junior forward Andrew Carr scored 20 in the win over Appalachian State and averages 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. Duke to win and cover.
Virginia Cavaliers (-4.5) at Miami (FL) Hurricanes (O/U 130.5) (8:30 pm ET)
Virginia (8-1) lost their first game of the season on Saturday, falling in upset fashion to Houston at home. The Cavaliers jumped out to an early 9-0 lead, but they went into the intermission down four and could never take the lead back. Kadin Shedrick led the Cavaliers with 16 points, going 7 of 8 from the field. Jayden Gardner added 13 points, and Armaan Franklin had 10. However, Virginia was just 2 of 9 from behind the arc. Even so, Virginia has the 14th-best defense in the nation in points permitted, and their ball security is elite, as they rank sixth overall in fewest turnovers committed. They sit 39th in the nation in three-point shooting percentage, so that outing against Houston seems like an aberration.
Miami (11-1) is only ranked #22 in the nation thanks to a fairly soft non-conference schedule, so we will see how ACC play treats them. They beat St. Francis at home on Saturday, 91-76, to earn their first national ranking since 2018. In the win, the Hurricanes dominated in fast break point, 23-0, and Isaiah Wong had 22 points and 10 assists for his third career triple-doubles. Wooga Poplar went 7 of 11 from the floor to set a career high with 20 points. Miami is 36th in the nation in scoring, so it will be interesting to see how they do when confronted with one of the best defenses in the country. Virginia to win and cover.
College Basketball Betting Odds
Love betting NCAA basketball? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date college basketball lines
