Slow start costly for Wolverines in loss to Arkansas

The #20 ranked Michigan Wolverines fell just short in a 66-64 loss to the unranked Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday in Fayetteville. Just as I expected, the Razorbacks came out of the gate quickly in front of a season high 19,500 fans. Arkansas started the game hitting their first 11 shots, including 4 three pointers as they jumped out to 29-10 lead. However, despite the poor first half from the Wolverines, they managed to claw back in to the game in the 2nd half. Michigan was facing a two point defecit and had the ball in the hands of outstanding freshman point guard Trey Burke's hands for the final shot of the game. Burke crossed over and fired a three at the buzzer that hit the front of the rim, went half way down, but the ball popped back out and Arkansas won the game as Burke walked off the court in disgust. The win moves the Razorbacks to 14-0 this season at home and 14-5 overall. The Wolverines on the other hand, have yet to win a game on the road this season and fall to 15-5 overall. Arkansas was lead by B.J. Young who scored 15 points and 4 rebounds, Zack Novak countered for the Wolverines with 17 points and 8 rebounds. The road doesn't get any easier for the Wolverines as they head to West Lafayette, Indiana for yet another road test, this time against the 14-6 Purdue Boilermakers. Michigan will have a chance to get its first road win of the season in a pivotal conference matchup as we hit the mid-way point of the season. The Wolverines will have to avoid the slow start that we have been used to seeing from them on the road this season. Arkansas shot 50% from the field on Saturday, the Wolverines can not let Purdue get as many open shots as Arkansas did because the Boilermakers are more then capable of shooting the lights out, lead by senior guard Robbie Hummel. If Michigan can hold their own in the first half and keep the game close, look for them to settle in to the game in the second half and take control. I think the Wolverines are too talented for a weaker Purdue squad this year, and the Wolverines will cruise to their first road win of the season.

My Prediction
Michigan- 76
Purdue- 65

As always, here are the spreads from Vegas for tonights NCAA mens basketball games, with my predictions.

#22Michigan
Purdue- 5.0
-Im surprised that Purdue is favoured for tonights game, and by 5 points! I picked Michigan to win the game, so obviously I think Michigan is a lock to cover this spread.

#6 Baylor- 5.5
Oklahoma
-After Baylor has dropped 2 straight look for them to come out strong this game and win by at least 6 points. Baylor's only losses have come to #5 Missouri and #7 Kansas, so you can't fault the Bears too much, they are #6 in the nation for a reason.

#2 Kentucky- 12.0
Georgia
-Kentucky played well and survived a scare from a very good Alabama team on Saturday. Alabama is much better than a struggling Georgia team, who comes in to this game losers in  3 of their last 4 and are only 1-4 in SEC action. Look for Kentucky to run away with this one.

Tennessee
Vanderbilt- 9.5
-Vanderbilt was as hot as any team in the nation, winning 8 straight games before being cooled off by #15 Mississippi State in OT on Saturday. On the other hand Tennessee had been struggling until they unexpectedly knocked off the #11 Uconn Huskies on Saturday. However I think Vanderbilt is just too much for Tennessee to handle at home.

Wolverines stun Spartans in one point thriller

The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team knocked off arch rival and the #9 ranked Michigan State Spartans 60-59 Tuesday night at Crisler Arena in a game that went down to the final shot. With 6 seconds to go in the game Spartans senior forward Dreymond Green drove to the free throw line and fired a jumper that hit the clanked off the rim, Michigan State had a tip in attempt right at the buzzer that also fell just short. As the buzzer sounded Michigan guard Tim Hardaway Jr. tossed the basketball in to the air with excitement as the Wolverines defeated their arch rivals for the third straight time, and remain undefeated at home this season. Vital to Michigan's success in this game was the outstanding play of point guard Trey Burke. The freshman out of Columbus, Ohio looked like a veteran as he scored a team high 20 points for the Wolverines on 8 of 11 shooting from the field, and chipped in with 3 assists, one of which came on a Stu Douglass layup late in the game, which put Michigan up for good. Another key to the Michigan victory was the way they played at the defensive end of the court. The continuous switching back and forth between a man-to-man and a 1-3-1 zone defense kept the Spartans off balance and forced them in to 14 turnovers. The two teams will face off again on February 5th, this time in East Lansing. With the victory the Wolverines now climb to second place in the Big 10 with a 5-2 conference record and a 15-4 record overall. Michigan State falls to 4-2 in conference play as the loss was their second conference loss in a row. The Wolverines will now hit the road for a contest with the Arkansas Razorbacks, Saturday in Fayateville. The Razorbacks are just coming off a whooping handed to them by the #2 Kentucky Wildcats, as they coasted to an 86-63 victory. The Razorbacks are 13-5 overall and 2-2 in SEC conference action. Arkansas is lead by junior forward Marshawn Powell, who is averaging 19.5 points and 6 rebounds per game this year. Michigan has had a tendency to start games slow on the road so look for the Razorbacks to try and jump out of the gate quickly and try to build an early lead on Michigan. Expect the Wolverines to counter with continuing to change back and forth between man and zone defenses to prevent Arkansas from getting any type of offensive rhythem going in this game. For Michigan to win however, they will have to do a better job at holding their opponent to a lower field goal shooting percentage.They allowed Michigan State to shoot 48% from the field, it will be tough to win a game on the road, allowing your opponent to shoot that percentage. However, look for Michigan to continue their hot shooting, and get the job done in a tough uncommon non-conference game in the middle of the season. The Wolverines will win but the unranked Arkansas Razorbacks will play tough at home and hang in there in a game that will be a lot closer than many people think.

My prediction:
#20 Michigan -73
Arkansas- 67

For all of you gamblers out there, here are the Vegas lines, and my picks for some of the marquee NCAA basketball matchups tonight (home teams on bottom, my picks are bolded):

Cincinatti
#13 Connecticut -6.5

Texas
#25 Kansas State -5.0

#18 Mississippi State -2.0
Mississippi

Northwestern
Wisconsin -10

Sleeper Pick:
#11 Indiana -3.0
Nebraska
-The Hoosiers are coming off 2 straight in-conference losses and have not played their best basketball on the road this season. On the other hand Nebraska struggles early in the season but are starting to get used to the switch to the Big 10 from the Big 12. Look for the Cornhuskers to come out strong on home court. Nebraska may not win, but I think they will cover the 3 point spread.

I hope this helps everyone out with their picks. GOOD LUCK AND GOOOOOOOOOOO BLUE!