The Michigan Wolverines host the Marquette Golden Eagles on Tuesday night in Ann Arbor. This will be the first test of the season for Marquette, as head coach Shaka Smart’s squad handled two soft opponents in the opening week. The Wolverines are looking to bounce back from a tough battle with UConn over the weekend, one they dropped to the Huskies. But the Wolverines looked better than many expected, especially after winning a title and then immediately losing their head coach and most of their key players. I am not ready to move on from Michigan, and I like it in this spot -- especially at home. Give me the Wolverines -3.5.
Marquette is looking to improve on a bad season. The Golden Eagles bring back most of the same roster, though, as Smart is notoriously an old school guy who believes in player development and retention (I love that about him). His backcourt is talented but still young, but he did go to the portal to add some frontcourt pieces -- including Louisville transfer Sananda Fru. Michigan, on the other hand, has a veteran guard duo in Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney -- and the Wolverines grabbed some meaningful post players in the portal. I think Marquette will be much more dangerous in the Big East this season, but Michigan should still be quite a bit ahead of the Eagles. Give me the Wolverines.
Marquette vs Michigan prediction: Michigan -3.5 (-110) available at the time of publishing. Playable to -5.5.
