Michigan Wolverines vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 03/05/26

Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!

No. 3 Michigan enters this matchup with a chance to accomplish something no Big Ten team has done since 1976 – finish the season undefeated on the road. The Wolverines are a perfect 10-0 away from home this year as they prepare to face a streaky Iowa team. Michigan is coming off an impressive win over No. 10 Illinois, shooting 52.5% from the floor and outrebounding the Fighting Illini 34-30. Iowa, meanwhile, is coming off a disappointing loss to last-place Penn State, where its defense struggled badly, allowing the Nittany Lions to shoot 64.1%. If the Hawkeyes have a similar defensive issue against the Wolverines, this game could get out of hand quickly. 

The Wolverines have the best offense in the Big Ten, averaging 89 points per play in conference play. Yaxel Lendeborg leads the way with 14.3 points per game, but Michigan will need other players to step up, as they’ll be without L.J. Carson for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Iowa will rely heavily on Bennett Stirtz, who is averaging 20.5 points per game, but he’ll face a tough challenge against a Michigan defense that holds opponents to 68.7 points per game and just 37.8% shooting. Michigan plays at a fast pace, dominates the glass, and has far more depth than Iowa. Expect the Wolverines to control the pace after opening tip-off and have no issues running up the score in this matchup. 

Michigan vs Iowa prediction: Michigan Wolverines -9 (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, check out bet365, the world’s #1 sportsbook. They have an amazing sign-up offer where you can INSTANTLY receive $200 in bonus bets from a $5 wager, regardless of whether that bet wins or loses! There’s no catch, it’s really that simple. Join Bet365 right now ⏰ in time to fade or follow our experts’ Michigan vs Iowa predictions.