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.
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